Bessie Blackwell Kemper

Bessie L. Blackwell – Kemper was born on December 19, 1937 to the proud parents Lila Isom and Dewitt Satterwhite (Both Preceded in death). She was the eldest of three sibling; Joann Isom, Magnolia Shanks and William Henry (both preceded in death). Bessie left Elberton Ga. and moved to Cincinnati with her Aunt Bessie at the age of 12.Bessie went on to attend and graduate from Lockland Wayne High school, where she met and married Stewart Kemper and the two parented five children together: Anthony Stewart Kemper (preceded in death) Terry Kemper, Keith Kemper (preceded in death) Kimberly Thompson, Sheila (Steven) Crossty and Adriann Lynn. She was a loving Grandmother to 16 Grandchildren and a host of great – grandchildren and one great- great grandson.

Bessie was invited to visit Burress Temple by her cousin Jean (preceded in death) in 1960 and she never left. Bessie went on to give her life to the lord and work in the ministry as a Minister. She was active on several committees namely the missionary board, usher board, choir and anywhere she could be of service she found herself working in that capacity until the time of her death.

This was the anchor that she needed and it changed her life and the lives of her children forever. She would often take trips with a core group of women at the church and considered them all her family and she often spoke of how much she loved them and how much their relationship meant to her; Janelle Brock, Lily McDowell, Bertha Noble, Mother Brooks, Lavern Strauss and Minister Pearl Davis (Both preceded in death) just to name a few, were all very pivotal in her walk with the Lord and her ability to stand as a young saint and a single parent at the time.

On Sunday May 20, 2012 Bessie attended her last service at Burress Temple where she proudly proclaimed her favorite scripture during testimony service, "I will bless the Lord at all times and his praises shall continually be in my mouth". As she spoke about the experience she pointed out that she could feel the anointing of God as she spoke those words from her mouth. As Bessie departed this life her last words were "Hallelujah" and she gave up the ghost!

Mama, granny, little lady, little ankles, shorty and lil bet (names of endearment) will be missed dearly. Her smile was infectious as was her words of encouragement to everyone she came in contact with. She knew every one of her grandchildren by their own individual personalities "the good the bad and the ugly".

As her Children, God did not create a better MOM she was our strength, our supporter and our biggest fan, she loved us as Christ loved the church. She Gave – her heart, her time, her patience, her understanding, there were times she didn't eat so that all five of us could. "Who can find a more virtuous woman"?

As a grandmother and a great grandmother she was armor and a shield. She never spared the rod nor did she spare reproof when necessary, however she always loved away the hurt with her words of wisdom and a kind smile. She knew who the soldiers were and she knew who the ones with the broken wings were, she handled them both accordingly. She often told us "don't try me, I'm small piece of leather but I am well put together" and she certainly lived up to it in our eyes.

To all of us she was our QUEEN who is and was prepared to spend eternity with her KING!