Shirley L. Kemp Jenkins

If you’re reading this, the diabetes finally won its war on my body, and I peacefully went to sleep at my daughter’s home in Belpre, Ohio, on Monday, August 7, 2017, just short of my 68th birthday. I was born on August 29, 1949 in Confluence, PA, to John and Phyllis (Baker) Kemp in 1949, and both of my parents preceded me in death long ago. A hunting accident ripped my dad out of our lives in 1973, and diabetes took my mom at the young age of 50 in 1979. I grew up with one sister and two brothers, and we all remained very close, in heart and in proximity, raising our families together in and around Uniontown, PA, where I resided most of my life. I was employed as both a school bus driver and a hairdresser. While I gained so much satisfaction from making my customers beautiful for many decades in my own salon in Dearth, I really loved getting to know each of my clients on a personal level and earning the right to call them my friends. Oh my, the laughter and the tears we shared in my little shop – I wouldn’t trade those tender moments for all the ice cream in the world (and I really loved ice cream)! As much as I loved my secular work, I must confess that my true joy came from being a sister, a wife, a mother and a grandmother to the people who enriched my life so beautifully and so lovingly. Growing up, I was the daredevil sister who would ride the makeshift bike with no brakes down the steep hill with no mercy. As a newlywed, struggling alongside my husband to make ends meet, I prided myself in my determination to somehow put together a nice meal with very little in the cupboards with which to work. As a mother, I made a promise to my two children that I would never let them down, and I leave this world, reassured by them that I never have. I want my daughter and my son to know that they couldn’t possibly have been loved or adored any more than I, them. As a grandmother, I take the wonderful memories with me of dressing up like Batman alongside my little Hulk, teaching my precious babies to drive, and watching them choose their marriage mates. My only regret is that I can’t be here to remind them of the importance of keeping God in their lives and reiterate the reasons why they should subscribe to the highest moral code if they are to remain happy in this life. I wish I had made these realizations much earlier in my own life. Thankfully, I was reintroduced to my loving God, Jehovah, more than a decade ago, after many years of living life without a true purpose, a strong moral compass, a genuine understanding of pain and suffering, or a true resurrection hope. I happily served my God to the best of my ability by teaching others about Him. For this reason, I am hopeful that I live on in Jehovah’s memory, even though I sleep in death until the resurrection. I join not only my parents in death, but also my younger brother Danny Kemp, a renowned guitarist, who lost his life to Diabetes in 2009. My beautiful sister, Barbara Miller (Richard) of Confluence, PA, and my passive brother John “Jack” (Gayle) Kemp of Brownfield, PA, live on with their wonderful families. I couldn’t have asked for siblings who were more sensitive, attentive or loving. They helped my daughter care for me until the very end, and I hope they will remain strong until the day when the four of us will be reunited with our mom and dad on a paradise earth, free from pain and death, the way God intended it to be. My husband Harry “Butch” Jenkins and my son Harry “Butchie” Jenkins, Jr., now must continue through this life without me, too. They are both strong men who will find a way to comfort each other and fill the void that I leave in our family home. My handsome husband, my partner in life, gave me the best gift possible in my two children, and I will always be thankful to him for that and for sharing his days on earth with me. My son, who can build anything or fix anything, will certainly figure out how to mend his broken heart, too. I also leave behind my devoted daughter and best friend, Angie Jenkins Beck, my precious “Boxermama,” and her husband Rob of Belpre, OH. Angie has feared losing me since she was a little girl, and I know she is suffering terribly over the loss of her mom who she loved more than her own life. I felt that love every moment of every day. I take comfort in knowing that I have the best son-in-law on the planet whose entire world revolves around his darling wife so I know he will be a tower of strength for her to help her through her immense pain. My four grandchildren, Jesse Jenkins, Jenna Jenkins, and my little Sydney, all of Uniontown, PA, as well as Robert “Lee” Beck – my little Pumpkin Head — (Olivia) of Belpre, OH, will also suffer great pain from my absence as we shared a very special bond. These kids were my world! I know they will heal, with the help of their parents, and they will go on to lead meaningful, productive lives, according to Bible standards. And if they do, they will remain confident that our separation is temporary. We can see each other again one day. We can all see each other again one day! But until that day, know that although I am resting in a deep sleep and missing from your lives, my intense, undying love for my family and close friends remains. I know I will be missed by my many cousins, nieces and nephews and their children, too. May they be comforted by the knowledge that my awful pain is finally gone forever. All are welcome to attend a Memorial Service, celebrating my very fulfilled life at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses on McClellandtown Road in Uniontown, PA, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 12, 2017. A dinner will immediately follow. This dinner, which I’ve personally dictated, is the last gift I’m able to give to the people who filled my life with so much happiness and satisfaction. In lieu of flowers, please, as a last gift to me, help ease my family’s pain by sending a precious memory their way. Share a funny or touching story about me that they may not know (yes, even if it’s an ornery one) by emailing them at beckbunch@suddenlink.net. All my love, forever and ever, Shirley (most affectionately known as Grandma Shirl)