Leora Marie Kemp's Obituary
Leora Marie Kemp was born October 30, 1939, in San Antonio, Texas, to James C. Kemp and Dorothy Barnum Kemp, and passed away on January 26, 2021, in Ennis, Texas. She was preceded in death by her mother, Dorothy Moody; father, James C. Kemp; grandmother, Lucy Leora Barnum; grandfather, Ned E. Barnum; brother, Richard Kemp; sister, Laura Rosendahl; sister, Ruth Shannon; aunt, Marie Jones; and uncle, C. Hal Jones. She is survived by her brother, Howard Kemp; sister, Margaret Kerby and her husband Tommy; brother, Sam Kemp and his wife Betty; brother, Jim Kemp and his wife Kathryn; cousin/honorary sister, Charleen Henderson; high school close friend of more than 65 years, Jan Luby Wall; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Anyone that knew Leora, Leo to her family, knows that learning, teaching, and helping people were at the core of who she was. Her love of the library began with her first part-time job in 1954 as a student librarian for Duncanville High School. This only increased her love of books (a family trait) and learning and sent her on her irrefutable path in life. Another important part of Leora’s life was the church. She became a member of Trinity Methodist Church in Dallas in 1953, where she and her siblings attended with her aunt and uncle, Hal and Marie Jones, and her cousin Charleen. One of her favorite pieces of art was the painted canvas of Trinity that hung above her fireplace. Leora graduated from Duncanville High School in 1958, as the valedictorian of her class. She then went on to obtain her Bachelor of Arts in English from East Texas State University (now Texas A&M Commerce) in Commerce, Texas, in 1961, followed by her Master of Religious Education from SMU’s Perkins School of Theology in 1968, where she also worked at their Birdwell Library for several years, and finally a Master of Library Science from North Texas State University in Denton, Texas, in 1975. Later, she found her way to Texas State Technical Institute in Waco, Texas, where she met her best friend, Melinda McKee, who was the coordinator of Deaf Student Services and from whom she took her first sign language course. This sparked a passion for serving what she once called an “invisible population.” She became active in the deaf community and served on multiple boards and committees including the national committee for library services to the deaf with the American Library Association as well as working as the technical services librarian for ten years. Also sparked by her friendship with Melinda, she learned a new hobby that became an integral part of her life. Genealogy allowed her to know the history of every nook and cranny of her family tree. Since her maternal grandfather’s name was Barnum, the driving desire in the beginning was to know if her family was related to P.T. Barnum (she confirmed the connection!). There were many happy travels with her friend, Melinda, as they visited libraries and cemeteries. This love for genealogy allowed her to find half siblings whom she was able to connect and form a lasting relationship. With her interest in adoption research over the years, she helped 36 local residents find their birth parents and relatives. She became a member of ALMA, a large national search and support organization. After leaving TSTI, she worked briefly as a librarian for Waco ISD before accepting a position as an assistant manager and adult services librarian with the Dallas Public Library System at the Lakewood Branch in East Dallas. After five years, Leora transferred to the Hampton/Illinois Branch in Oak Cliff and retired from there in 1999. On February 21, 2000, she started the “Virtual Library” at the new University of North Texas System Center at Dallas located at Hampton Road and Interstate 20. In addition to her passion as a librarian, Leora was a 2002 graduate of Leadership Southwest, served on the DeSoto Public Library Board and the Chamber of Commerce’s Education Committee, and was appointed as a committee member in the American Library Leadership and Management Association. During this time, she became acquainted with Texas Senator Royce West and was proud that her state senator knew who she was. In 2011, Senator West awarded her with a senate proclamation for her accomplishments as a public servant through her tenure at UNT Dallas. The plaque on the university’s Wall of Honor Major Donors coupled with the glass display case honoring her dedication to the UNT Dallas Campus library, are just a few examples of how the university that she loved so much had as much love and admiration for her. On March 31, 2011, she retired from UNT Dallas but not before making countless friends and dedicated co-workers. Echoed by the sentiments of her former co-worker, Brenda Robertson, the current University Librarian at UNT Dallas who said: “Leora was a most dedicated Library professional and not only talked the talk but walked the walk…In the Library community, Leora was known as a librarian's librarian. She was a wealth of knowledge and shared freely. She encouraged, helped, and supported young library professionals whenever, and however she could, including me. Completing my graduate degree in library science required that I shadow a library director for 20 hours. It was extremely difficult to find someone who could spare the time. A fellow librarian recommended Leora with these words, "Leora LOVES Librarians!" A brief phone call later and I had an invitation to shadow Leora when she was at the new UNT Dallas Hampton Road facility. I learned so much more than I ever expected, and she impacted my path as a librarian in more ways than I can say.” On April 14, 2016, Leora was honored with a reception at the UNT Dallas Campus as the founding librarian for her vision, leadership, and support. A commemorative plaque was presented to her and hangs on the wall of the library in her honor. Leora touched so many lives in so many different ways and her sweet spirit will be missed. The family would like to thank the staff and nurses at Ennis Care Center in Ennis, Texas, for taking such good care of Leora over the past two years. She loved you all and was very appreciative of all you did for her. We also thank the nurses and Chaplain from Traditions Hospice Service for being with Leora the morning she left this earth to enter the gates of heaven and for the service you provide. Your presence and support are greatly appreciated. Due to COVID restrictions, the family has opted for a graveside service only to be held at Rowlett Creek Cemetery, Rowlett Cemetery Road, Plano, TX, 75025. Information regarding the date and time of the service will be located on the Restland Funeral Home website at www.restlandfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, you may make donations in her name to the UNT Dallas Library Fund, 7300 University Hills
Blvd., Dallas, TX, 75241.
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