Violet Doolan Kemp

1924 - 2016

Violet Doolan Kemp obituary, 1924-2016, Spring, TX

BORN

1924

DIED

2016

FUNERAL HOME

Brookside Funeral Home - Champions

3410 Cypress Creek Parkway

Houston, Texas

Violet Kemp Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Oct. 15, 2016.

Violet Doolan Kemp was born on September 29, 1924 in Elsecar, South Yorkshire, England. She passed away on October 13, 2016, in Houston, Texas, a few short weeks after a heroic effort by her two granddaughters Brandy Castille and Ginger Bellamy to bring her home from England to Houston due to failing health. She lived a long life filled with love, accomplishments and adventures too many to name. Until four weeks ago, Violet was energetic and independent despite her 92 years, tending her beautiful English garden in the Yorkshire countryside and knitting keepsake blankets.

Violet was the daughter of Dorothy Janion Jones and Job Jones. Her beloved father died in 1937, leaving behind his young family and triggering a tenacious and independent spirit in his daughter. She was often called "little Job." After finishing school at 16, she attended Bamsley Technical College where she took courses in accounting, shorthand and secretarial work. After the outbreak of World War II, she joined the British Royal Army and among her duties she manned an aircraft searchlight. She met and married U.S. Army Corporal, Howard Doolan of Houston, Texas. They were wed September 4, 1944, in Staincross, Yorkshire, England. She arrived in the U.S. as a war bride and settled in Houston to live and work. She had three children, Howard Joseph Louis Doolan Leggett (born in Hartismere, Suffolk, England), Frances Doolan Bellamy (born in Houston, Texas) and Eddie Doolan (born in Houston, Texas).

Violet's fun-loving and determined spirit never altered during her life. She loved gardening, knitting, crocheting, needlework, painting and salt-water fishing in Texas City. After retiring from American General Insurance Company in 1978 and after Howard passed away in 1979, she returned to live in England. She found companionship with Ray Moses Kemp and married in June 1987, in Bury Saint Edmunds, Suffolk, England. Ray passed away less than a year later, leading Violet to resume a love story with her childhood sweetheart.

Before the start of World War II, Violet courted Donald Swallow of Blacker Hill, Yorkshire, England. They were separated by the war and had married other loves. She and Donald were reunited and spent the last 30 years devoted to one another in love and adventure. They traveled with many friends and family and were both the greatest of storytellers. Their timeless love story is a treasure and admired by many. Donald passed away in 2015 after becoming ill in 2009. He enjoyed several years of loving care by Violet in their home in W ombwell, Yorkshire, England.

Violet is preceded in death by her parents and three sisters, Freida, Dorothy (Dot) and Rosina (Rosie) and her two sons, Howard and Eddie.

Violet is survived by her twin brothers, Job Wilfred Jones and Percy Jones; brother Frank Jones and his partner Eunice Solomon; daughter Frances Doolan Bellamy and son-in-law Ralph Bellamy of Houston; grandchildren Eddie Doolan Jr., Brandy Bellamy Castille, Ginger Bellamy, Amber Leggett Failla, Chelsie Leggett and Louis Howard Leggett Jr; great-granddaughter Briley Castille; former daughters-in-law Jimmie Leggett, Kimberly Leggett Gaspard and Karen Doolan. Additionally, Violet leaves behind a host of cherished family and friends.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, October 22,2016 at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Brookside-Champions Funeral Home on 3410 FM 1960 West, Houston, Texas.
Remembrances can be made on behalf of Violet by "paying it forward" with a simple act of kindness to a stranger.
Refreshments will be served immediately following the service at the funeral home. Everyone is warmly invited to attend.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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5 Entries

November 14, 2017

Coworker

Pat Hooten

Violet was my Supervisor when I worked for AGF&C insurance Company, she was a great boss, a very kind sweet person. She laughed a lot and enjoyed her job and people, I really enjoyed working with her. Tried to find her on several occasions did not realize she made her home in her beloved England. Just found her online today. So sorry for your loss.

October 23, 2016

Dee Lanham Barnes & family

May the Lord touch your hearts with loving memories. So very sorry for your loss.

October 21, 2016

Hedy and Eric Weimmer

Our deepest sympathy for the entire family! We were so blessed meeting your mom Fran! She was so sweet. I pray Gods comfort for you and your family!

October 20, 2016

My sweet, sweet Mama. I will cherish you forever. We made it.

October 16, 2016

Karen Doolan Havens

I am so very sorry for ALL of Ma Doolan's loved ones(including me) ......... she was the sweetest person that ever walked this earth and I was so looking forward to the great-grandchildren getting reacquainted with her and spending hours with her myself laughing & crying about all of our precious/funny/sad/etc memories .......... (((((HUGS)))))), love, and prayers for all and I hope she is dancing the sky and singing with the Angel Choir!!!

Posted by Karen Doolan Havens

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 results

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Memorial Events
for Violet Kemp

Oct

22

Memorial service

2:00 p.m.

Brookside Funeral Home - Champions

3410 Cypress Creek Parkway, Houston, TX 77068

Funeral services provided by:

Brookside Funeral Home - Champions

3410 Cypress Creek Parkway, Houston, TX 77068

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