KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI -  Gloria Jean (Kemp) White, age 80, was born on May 31, 1944, in El Reno Oklahoma. She was the 3rd oldest child out of the 8 children. Her parents were (father) Pastor Phillip Larue Kemp and her (mother) Marie Kemp.

The whole family relocated to Topeka Kansas where she received her education.

She attended and graduated from Highland Park High School. She dominated Track & Field and other various sports.  She was an alternate for the state of Kansas in the Jr. Olympics headed to Rome Italy in the 1960s. She excelled in the shot put, and her record stood for 19 years. She was the 1st black cheerleader in Topeka, KS.

After becoming a mother, she relocated to Kansas City, MO. She earned her Inhalation Therapy certification at St Joseph Medical Center. She also worked at Retail Grocery Association. She retired from Gasket Engineers.

Her favorite past times were being a pillar in her community by providing meals, watching slews of children, (having raised some as well!), singing at numerous church homes and funerals, and being a die-hard sports fan!

Everyone who knew her knows she always, on a daily basis, would spread God's word! 

She was proceeded in death by her parents, her son Kelvin Kemp, her husband James White, and her siblings Phyllis Harold, Delois Kemp, Lloyd Paul Kemp, Michael Kemp, and Faye Agee.

She is survived by her 2 daughters, Dianne Maddix and Annette Kemp-Pickens & son-in-law Herman Pickens Jr., granddaughter Jenay Woods, grandsons Amaudre Kemp, and Aaron Kemp and great-granddaughter Saniyah Hood, all of KCMO, and 2 of her sisters, Juanita Kemp and Cynthia Kemp of KCMO. She will be missed by a host of family and friends. 

Funeral Services were held on Friday, November 1, 2024, 1:00pm at Watkins Heritage Chapel. Visitation was from 12:30pm-1:00pm at the chapel.

https://www.watkinsheritage.com/obituary/MrsGloria-White