Jessie Lea "Kemp" Darsey

Matthew: 25:40: "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

Jessie Lea Kemp Darsey, a resident of Ethel, went home to her Lord and Savior on Thursday, September 4, 2025. Her husband, Jack Darsey, was there to greet her as well. She was 90 years old, a native of Ethel, and a member of Slaughter First Baptist Church. Visitation will be at Slaughter First Baptist Church, on Monday, September 8, 2025 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. until services at 11:00 a.m. conducted by Rev. Basil Wicker. Interment will be in Redwood Cemetery in Slaughter. She was a graduate of Clinton High School and Baton Rouge Business College. She became an Addictions Counselor during her 32-year employment at East Louisiana State Hospital where she considered this work more of a calling than a job. The next 25 years were spent working as Treatment Director at The Baton Rouge DETOX Center; and Treatment Director at The Baton Rouge Drug Court Treatment Program. After 57 years of full-time employment, she continued to work on a part time basis including at The Journey Home and Wood Lakes Treatment Center. At age 75 she finally retired completely. She is survived by her two children and their spouses: Michael Kemp Darsey and Debbie; Susan Darsey Hodas and Tom; Grandchildren, Corey Freeman and Laura; Krysten Darsey Noland and Jimbo; Kemp Darsey and Ashley; and Sarah Beth Hodas Cobb and Jimbo. Great grandchildren, Darby and Ridley, Makena, Mason and Jack, Paige and Jamie. She adored them all and wanted nothing more than their happiness and success in life. She is preceded in death by her devoted husband of 66 years, Henry L. "Jack" Darsey, Jr., native of Natchez, MS., parents, Joseph Warren Kemp and Susie Inez Rogillio Kemp; brother, Joseph Warren Kemp, Jr; sister, Edna Catherine Kemp Townsend; and twin sister Billie Sue Kemp Goudeau and brother-in-law, Morris Goudeau . Pallbearers will be Corey Freeman, Jimbo Noland, Kemp Darsey, Mason Darsey, Jack Darsey, Jamie Cobb and Jimbo Cobb. The family wants to thank Dr. T' Lane Folse, her primary care physician, who so compassionately managed her health late in life. A special thanks to Cardiologist Dr. Abdullh Munir and staff at Lane Memorial Hospital and to D'Anna Lawton, who faithfully stayed in touch with and took her many places, including her favorite which was out to eat! Thanks also to Sherry Carpenter, Tami Brannon, Teri Fontenot, Ronda Gardner, Duanna Holmes, and Marcia Cox of Slaughter First Baptist Church. Duanna deserves special thanks for being her friend and hairdresser. A very special thanks goes to Gary "Smitty" Smith a longtime friend who supported her effort to help others and became a lifelong friend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.