Nelle B. Kemp

Nelle Bryant Kemp
"A mother, cosmetologist, and singer exits stage left"
Zebulon
Nellie Kemp died peacefully in her sleep at Wake Medical Hospital on July 11th, 2012. She had battled breast cancer five times before succumbing to heart problems. She was born on August 28, 1916, and grew up near Middlesex, NC. Nelle is the daughter of the late William and Senora Bryant. She is preceded in death by her husband of 60 years Frank Kemp and her siblings Nancy Strickland and Ralph Bryant. She is survived by two sons, Terry Kemp and his wife Bonnie of Raleigh and Tim Kemp of Zebulon, three grandchildren, Amy Kemp, Eddie Kemp and "T"Kemp, and two great grandchildren, Tyler and Bailey Kemp.
While her ability to make women more beautiful and teaching cosmetology at Sampson Tech gave her a livelihood for sixty years, singing, not salon treatments, was her passion. It was her voice that took her to Hollywood in the late 1940's. There, Nelle Kemp started taking voice lessons. Her dream of a career in show business was put on hold due to her father's illness and she returned home to care for him. She had three lives; home and family, her beauty business, and her singing career. She studied voice at Wake Forrest College and Meredith College. She sang in the Zebulon Baptist Church choir for many years, professionally for the First Baptist church in Raleigh, countless funerals and weddings, and in operas throughout NC and in other states. She was one of two guests at Ferris State University arts festival along with the trumpeter Carl "Doc" Severinson who was assistant conductor for the NBC Tonight Show with Jonny Carson Orchestra.
She was active in the Zebulon community raising funds for worthy groups and institutions in the Lions club, and President of the Woman's club. She was also president of the NC Cosmetologists Association as well as an officer nationally. She was a very active member of the Zebulon Baptist Church serving as teacher of Sunday school and as deacon of the church for two terms. Due to her husband's involvement in the International Lions Club, the Kemps traveled a lot, visiting countries across the world. In the fall of 2003, she was chosen as Zebulon's Citizen of the Year. She continued singing well into her 80's as a member of the Wilson Coral which performed at the White House in Washington DC.
Nelle Kemp was a devoted mother, an untiring business woman, and a singer with extraordinary talent. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Funeral service will be held 2 o'clock at the Zebulon Baptist Church on Sunday, July 15th . Visitation with the family at the church following the service. Graveside service will be 11 o'clock Monday at Gethsemane Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Zebulon Baptist Church at 400 N. Arendell Avenue, Zebulon NC, 27597 or the Zebulon Lions Club at PO Box 524, Zebulon NC, 27597.
Arrangements by Massey Funeral Home, Zebulon www.masseyfuneralhome.com.