Janice Lynn Kemp was born September 29, 1959 to James Sam Kemp and Christine Clark-

Kemp. She was the last of seven siblings. I know, some of you are thinking, "Ah, it all makes sense

now." Suffice it to say, she was well cared-for by older sisters, Margaret, Rebecca "Becky"

(Herbert), and Sharon, and looked-after by brothers, Garfield (Ferry), Philip, and Johnny

(Brenda). And this care would extend to her three children as well, Samuel, Christopher (Nikita),

and Crystal.

In addition to family, Janice valued friendships deeply, a value she passed to her children. It was

not uncommon to show up at her home and find her visiting with, on the phone with, and in her

early days, out shopping with a friend. To be called a friend in her life meant your presence

carried weight. That said, Janice was also known to never meet a person she didn't love. She was

not shy with her "I love you's" even with people she'd just met. So friend or not, to have

encountered her was to have been loved.

She was a graduate of South Oakcliff High School, class of 1978. When she wasn't doting on the

grandchildren or spending time with family and friends, she could be found watching her favorite

court shows or HGTV. She was also an avid Cowboys fan, another passion she would share with

her children. If you know Chris and Crystal, then you know! The apples didn't fall far from the

tree.

Now, about the shopping…lest you think she was just practicing excessive self-indulgence, there

were a number of benefactors to her shopping, starting with her pride and joy – the grands! They

will one day, Lord willing, tell their own grands about how Grandma Janice collected Christmas

gifts all year long. There was no shortage of Christmas gifts at Grandma's house. Then there's the

daughters and nieces who all eventually learned to just take the purse or shoes or whatever item

she was offering because politely declining just wasn't an option; you were leaving with

something…and there's was a good chance it would be cheetah-print.

Also – and we acknowledge that this is biased, but fact nonetheless – if you hadn't had her

dressing, you've not had a proper Thanksgiving meal; but don't despair because Crystal's is just

as good! Which brings us to perhaps one of her most amazing gifts and expressions of love – her

cooking. If it's true that the secret ingredient to cooking is love, then given her natural love for

people and natural ability in the kitchen, it's no wonder people enjoyed her cooking universally.

She masterfully infused meals with the kind of love, hospitality, and flavor that embodied

attributes of the Christian life – sharing God's love through service.

We are deeply grateful for the mark she has left on each of us.

She was preceded in death by her parents (named above) and three siblings, Philip, Sharon, and

Margaret. She leaves behind her three children (also named above), and grandchildren: Kiesha,

AuBriana, DaiShaun, Sam Jr., Alaysha, J'Anthony, Kryslin, Kymberlin, Deon, Deréon, & Great

g-baby Ky'liyah, along with siblings (named above), nieces – Audria and Renee – who were more

like sisters growing up, and a host of other nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

One final "word": As we honor her memory, may we do so with a Christ-like servanthood in

mind.

And we all said: in our best Janice voice – "Faaa real!!!"