Emma Lou Joines Kemp

1938 ~ 2019

Emma Lou Joines Kemp passed away on Wednesday, September 18, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was born on September 28, 1938 in Jacksonville, Florida to L.C. Plampin and Charles Addison Joines. Emma graduated from South High School in Denver, Colorado. She met her husband, Norbert Alvin Kemp, on the ice rink at the University of Denver where Norb played college hockey. They were married on August 1, 1958 in Denver, and were sealed on July 6, 1965 in the Cardston Alberta Temple in Canada.

Norb and Emma raised their children in Shawnee, Kansas, from 1961 to 1982. While rearing a young family, Emma graduated from the Johnson County Community College with an associate’s degree. She later graduated from the University of Kansas with both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in Education. Norb and Emma lived briefly in Pasadena, California and Chicago, Illinois before settling in Salt Lake City in 1984.

Emma’s love of meeting and talking with people was reflected in her career choices. She was employed as a reading specialist in grade schools for 11 years in Kansas. Later, while living in Pasadena and Chicago, she held positions working with the public. These opportunities influenced Emma’s decision to work in the airline industry while she was living in Salt Lake City. Emma’s first position in the industry was as a gate agent with Western Airlines. She later became a flight attendant with Delta Airlines – a position she held for nearly 20 years.

Emma was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Denver at the age of 19. She accepted calls to serve and strived to complete her assignments to the best of her ability. During her life, Emma served in various callings in the Young Women and Relief Society organizations. While living in Chicago, Emma supervised the women who cleaned marble before it was placed on the exterior of the Chicago Temple. From 2004 to 2006, Norb and Emma served as service center managers for the Church in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

As an expert seamstress, Emma made many beautiful clothes and quilts with exactness. She enjoyed trips to Spring City, Utah to stitch with her beloved Pickles quilting group. Emma was an avid reader and knew the importance of children’s literacy. She enjoyed watching sports, especially college gymnastics, football, and hockey. Emma had a special place in her heart for hockey players – particularly the one she married. She loved to travel with and visit her friends and family around the world.

Emma was a compassionate woman who touched many lives. Never comfortable being the center of attention, Emma preferred to focus on those around her. She could talk to anyone about anything, and was blind to cultural, racial, economic, and generational differences when it came to connecting with people. Emma will be missed by many.

She is preceded in death by her parents, L.C. Plampin and Charles Addison Joines, her brother Kenneth, and other extended family members. She leaves behind her husband, Norbert Alvin; children, Debbie (Mike Garcia), Bryan (Aprille), and Greg; grandchildren, Siena (Steven) Davis, Andrew Hinkle, and Julia Kemp; and great-grandchild, Margaret Davis.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 28, at 11:00 am, at the Valley View Stake Center, 2245 East 3900 South, in Salt Lake City. A viewing will be held the previous evening from 6:00-8:00 pm and from 9:30-10:30 am the day of the service. Following the funeral service, interment will be at Elysian Burial Gardens, 1075 East 4580 South, Salt Lake City.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either Cardiovascular Research or Heart Failure Research, Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute. Contact David Flood at 801-442-3590.