Betty Ellen Kemp

Betty Ellen (Patterson) Kemp was born on January 11, 1931, in Hammond, Indiana. Her parents were Oscar and Donnie (Smith) Patterson. She had three sisters, Nola Thorne, Iona Bevan and Leota Johnston, all of whom preceded her in death.

Growing up she lived a vagabond life, attending eight different schools as her dad traveled working for oil refineries. After graduating from Casper, Wyoming High School, she moved back to Broken Arrow.  

Here she met her anchor, Jimmie Kemp, her beloved husband of 65 happy years until the Lord called him home. They were blessed with two beautiful baby boys, Mark, and Jeff, who grew up to be good, giving, and loving men just like Jimmie.

Their family continued to grow with Mark’s wife Teri and Jeff’s wife Rhonda, grandchildren Kristi and husband Joe, Carl, Shelby, and Nick, and great grandchildren Ethen, Eli, and Ian.

For many years all of the family came “home” for Thursday night suppers where they spent hours laughing and enjoying each other’s company at the dinner table. Betty was known for making the best chocolate pies and enjoyed having all of “the kids” home each week. Betty loved her family and was completely devoted to them as a wife, mother, and Memaw.

She was a Western Union Agent and owned Kemp Hardware on Main Street in Broken Arrow for 30 years. She was a long-time member of the Assembly of God Church, where for many years she volunteered for communion duty and the information booth. She was an outstanding mother and grandmother, a true homemaker who kept her family together.

Betty was a happy person and had many friends, but for her, life never had the same joy without Jimmie. She has now joined him in Heaven, and they are walking the Golden Streets together!

A Viewing for Betty will be held on Thursday, December 14, 2023, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Brown Funeral Home in Broken Arrow. Services will be held on Friday, December 15, 2023, at 1:00 PM at The Assembly Church, South Campus, Broken Arrow, officiated by Pastor Devon Rohr. Betty will be laid to rest at the Park Grove Cemetery in Broken, Arrow.

Family and friends may share memories online at www.brownfamilycares.com. The family of Betty Kemp entrusted her care and services to Brown Funeral Home & Cremations, 231 E. Commercial St., Broken Arrow, OK 74012.

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