FARNHAM—Jane Thompson Kemper, 78, peacefully departed her Earthly life on Tuesday, October 16, 2018, surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Hampton to Dr. Floyd LaVerne Thompson and Jean Geggie Thompson, she married Carlton Burton Kemper in Hampton and they moved to the Northern Neck in 1970, settling in Farnham to raise their children Elizabeth and Carlton. They opened and co-owned Kemper Nursery which was renowned for its quality and great selection of plants.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Carlton; her children, Carlton Thompson Kemper (Tricia) of Birmingham, Ala., and Elizabeth Kemper Ray (Patrick) of Austin, Texas; her grandchildren, Laura Jane Kemper and Sarah Kemper of Birmingham, Ala.; her sister, Dorothy Mathieson (David) of Decatur, Ga., and her nieces and nephews.
Jane was predeceased by her parents and her sister and brother-in-law, Helen and Walter Olstad.
A woman of many interests and even more talents, Jane was active in civic life. She served on many boards, including the Friends of the Richmond County Library and the Rappahannock Community College Library. She was a member of Just Gardens and loved to travel.
Jane was also an avid bridge player and greatly enjoyed her membership in the “Fab Four” bridge team and the Sharps Bridge Club. Jane was a proud member of the Hampton High School Class of 1958 and a proud alumnus of Westhampton College, graduating in 1962 with a degree in mathematics.
Jane was a devoted member of Milden Presbyterian Church in Sharps and was the first female deacon there as well as a church elder. She served on the Session and was also a trustee.
A Celebration of Life was held to honor Jane at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 20, at Milden Presbyterian Church in Sharps and a reception followed in the parish hall. The Reverend Charles Blasdell officiated.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Virginia, P.O. Box 2098, Tappahannock, VA 22560; or to the Cemetery Fund at Milden Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 31, Sharps, VA 22548.
