Odessa Joyce Kemp

Odessa Joyce Kemp, 82, of Bridgeville, Pennsylvania went home to be with the Lord, on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. The eldest of four (4) children of Danie and Paulene (Smith) Kemp, “Bunny” (as affectionately called by family and friends), was born, June 2, 1941 in McDonald, PA.

A 1959 graduate of Cecil High School, Bunny matriculated to Tennessee State where she earned her Elementary Education degree.  While at Tennessee State, she was voted “Miss Pennsylvania” and served as an editor of the University yearbook.  Bunny continued her education at the University of Pittsburgh where she earned her Master’s Degree in Education.

Bunny was forever an educator and spent 30 years teaching in the Pittsburgh School system.  Following her retirement, her passion for education continued as she provided untold hours with her beloved granddaughters, teaching, exploring and learning.  Bunny was an avid supporter of every dance, music and especially sporting event in which her granddaughters were involved.  She loved keeping up with current events, exploring the wonderment of the internet, shopping and going to the gym.  Bunny, noted for her potato salad and deviled eggs, enjoyed cuisine and “sweets” and was a “foodie” before being a foodie was a thing.

In addition to her parents, Odessa was preceded in death by her sister Lenora (Jellybean) Kemp of McDonald.   Odessa was a powerful and present single mother to her pride and joy, son Todd Jay (Traci McDonald) Kemp, who survives.  Also left to cherish her memory are siblings, Daniel (Cassandra) Kemp and Theresa Kemp Armstrong, granddaughters Alexcia, Ariana and Olivia and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to visitation at the First Baptist Church of McDonald, 141 North McDonald Street, McDonald, PA 15057, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 28, 2023, immediately followed by a Home Going Service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Odessa’s honor to the:  Cookie-Jar Scholarship Fund of Washington County Community Foundation, 1253 Route 519, P.O. Box 308, Eighty-Four, PA 15330.