Gretchen Ainsworth Kemp

Gretchen Ainsworth Kemp, loving daughter, sister, aunt, and great aunt, left this world unexpectedly May 15, 2022, at the age of 59. She was born September 5, 1962 to Edgar Burton Kemp III and Kathleen Wolfe Kemp. Upon graduation from Louise S. McGehee High School in 1980, Gretchen attended Louisiana State University (LSU), where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education. While at LSU, Gretchen was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. For many years, Gretchen taught Kindergarten at St. Francis Xavier School in Metairie, Louisiana. She established many lifelong relationships with her students and their families. Following Katrina, Gretchen became affiliated with Keller Williams Real Estate. Gretchen will always be remembered for her Mardi Gras House, where her numerous friends and extended family enjoyed watching parades and feasting on her lovingly prepared cuisine for 38 years. Gretchen is preceded in death by her father, Edgar Burton Kemp, III, whom all knew as Pere and by her life-partner, Johnny Tamelethep, affectionately known as Island Boy. She is survived by her mother Kathleen Wolfe Kemp, a brother, Edgar Burton Kemp IV (Dr. Beverly Stubblefield), and two sisters, Kathleen Kemp Gannon and Priscilla Kemp Morse (Charles Barry Morse). She leaves behind the families of three nephews: Edgar Burton Kemp V, Christopher Timothy Gannon (Jacqui Caironne Gannon, Piper, Tristan), Matthew Cook Morse (Grace Napparalla), and three nieces: Kathleen Gannon Ledsome (Keith Ledsome), Stephanie Kemp DeForrest (George DeForrest and Georgie), and Mallory Morse Gorley (Elliot Gorley, Campbell, Ellis, John-Edgar and Palmer).

Please join us to celebrate Gretchen's life on Saturday, May 28th at 11:00 am at 236 Pinewood Dr. Pass Chrisitan, MS 39571

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gretchen Ainsworth Kemp, please visit our floral store.