Deaconess Susie A. Kemp

On Sunday, February 20, 2022, the Lord’s Day, our Heavenly Father opened the pearly gates of Heaven and proclaimed: “Come home thy good and faithful servant”. Our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt; Susie Alston Kemp, 92, of 703 Halifax Street Petersburg, VA answered the call, joined her Lord and Savior and heard him say: “Well done, you’ve run a good race, now rest my child”.

Susie was born in Edgecombe County, North Carolina to the late Wyatt Alston and Hattie Yarboro Alston. She was the last of her nine other siblings to go home to meet the Lord. The siblings that preceded Susie in transition were, Vera Arrington, Lula Crenshaw, Willie Alston, Morris Alston, Wyatt Alston Jr, Frank Alston, Florence Brown, Esther Smith, and William “Bill” Alston. She was also preceded in death by her husbands, Richard Lee Prentis Sr, John Bright, and Clinton Kemp; her children, Leticia, Jean, and James Luther; and grandson, Keil.

Susie moved to Virginia in 1941 and attended and graduated from Dinwiddie County Schools in 1949. She retired from Central State Hospital where she worked for 35 years as a Forensic Nurse after which she did private duty nursing for an additional two years.

Mrs. Kemp accepted the Lord as her personal Savior at a tender age. She was a member of Center Star Baptist Church until she moved to the city and joined Morning Star Baptist Church under the direction of Rev. Branch. Susie then joined Trinity Baptist Church (Trinity Missionary Baptist Church of God In Christ), at which she was a Deaconess, choir member and Mother of the Church. Susie let the Lord use her through her voice, which was that of an angel. She traveled across Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina singing and praising the Lord. She helped to organize the Rocky Branch Chorus, sang with the Fire Ball Singers and recorded “I’ll Fly Away” as the lead singer. She, along with her sister, Esther, co-founded the Harmonizing Echoes Gospel Singers and sang with them on broadcasting station W.S.S.V for 19 years. She also sang with the world-renowned Aretha Franklin, Pastor Shirley Caesar, and the Caravans but decided not to continue on that path so that she could stay home and be what God called her to be, a Mother.

Susie was a member of several organizations including United Order of Tents, Leader and

Co-Founder of Evan and Glasper Little Angels Tents, Club Magic 25, Pastor’s Aide (TMBCOGIC), Missionary Ministry (TMBCOGIC), Trinity Mass Choir, Trinity Christian Academy, Joy and Love Daycare, and many more.

Susie Alston Kemp was the mother of the neighborhood. She was everyone’s “NANNY” and was known by that by so many. The love exuding from her was that of the work of the Lord. She never met a stranger and would do anything for anyone, including opening her home and willing heart. She would feed any soul that was hungry whether it be for food or the Lord’s Word. Susie believed in the power of prayer and she could and would pray anyone through their toughest times.

Susie gifted her memories to cherish to her surviving children, Felecia Prentis, Richard Prentis Jr (Marian), Emmanuel McNeil (Laverne), Keith Prentis (Linda) and Kenneth Bright (Adrian); grandchildren, Travis and Talaya Talley, Richard III, DeVon and Dejuan Prentis, Emmanuel Logan, Quiana Pope (Christopher), Kourtney Bright, Christie and Simonee Brown, Michael Johnson and Lewis Brown; an abundance of great-grandchildren that will also share in these memories, Kena Brown Stith (Katrell) whom she raised as her own daughter, Taquana and Iesha Brown, Carlo Williams Jr,(Sharedia), Neilisha Roney, Shamone Dennis, Makyle White, Tyrell, Shatoria, Quantia and Dreco Taylor, Keil Alston Jr, Ty’Stanya Wright, Keniya, Kemoni, and Summer Talley, Layla and Kayla Wesson, Sincere and Aiden Brown; an extensive list of great-great-grandchildren whom are too numerous to name; several nieces and nephews, among them devoted, James Arrington, Betty Alston, James and Yolanda Smith, James and David Crenshaw; and a host of other dear and deeply loved family and friends.

The family would like to thank, Rev. Jeffrey L. Dodson Sr, whom she loved as a son, and the Trinity Missionary Baptist Church of God in Christ family for loving her so passionately.

A public viewing for Mrs. Susie A. Kemp will be on Monday, February 28, 2022 from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00p.m. at the J.L. Dodson and Sons Funeral Establishment, 25824 Greensville Avenue, Petersburg, Virginia.

Celebration of Life service for Deaconess Susie A. Kemp will be held on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at 12:00p.m. at the Mount Olivet Baptist Church, 800 Augusta Ave., Petersburg, Virginia 23803. Rev. Dr. Wesley K. McLaughlin, Senior Pastor. Minister Michael Jones, Trinity Missionary Baptist Church of God in Christ, Petersburg Virginia, Officiating and Rev. Jeffrey L. Dodson, Sr., Pastor, Trinity Missionary Baptist Church of God in Christ Petersburg Virginia, Eulogizing.  Interment to follow in the Dinwiddie Memorial Park, 7324 Church Road Petersburg Virginia 23803.

Family and friends are asked to assemble at the residence of her son and daughter-in-law Kenneth Bright (Adrian), 1648 West Clara Drive Petersburg Virginia on the day of the service at 10:45am.

Service may be viewed by Live Stream at /https://www.jldodsonandsons.com/LiveStream

Professional funeral services have been entrusted to the staff of the J.L. Dodson and Sons Funeral Establishment, 25824 Greensville Avenue, Petersburg, Virginia 23803, Rev. Jeffrey L. Dodson, Sr., Funeral Director. (804) 732-5959. Online condolences may be registered at www.jldodsonandsons.com. “Our Family Servicing Your Family”.

 

Masks are required at all services. All attendees are also asked to follow social distancing guidelines.