news_story_kemp

 

On Dec. 19, Habitat for Humanity Mississippi Capital Area held a very special home dedication for the Jean Kemp house, financed with a $60,000 donation by Garth Kemp in honor of his wife. He sponsored the house without telling her, planning to surprise her at the dedication ceremony.

 

During construction, Mr. Kemp helped on site, where he got to know future homeowner Maranda Walton and her children, 9-year-old Alisha and 6-year-old Christian. “It’s great to have gotten to know Maranda,” Mr. Kemp said at the dedication. “God bless this wonderful family! I hope they enjoy the security they will have in this house.”

 

Mr. Kemp says his wife was delighted by his gift. “She talked about it for days after and looked at the program over and over along with the article in the ‘Habitat Happening’ newsletter,” he says. “The dedication made her as happy as it made me. We have been married 62 years, and we are more in love now than we were then.”

 

Walton and her family will cherish many things about their new home, but she says its origin makes it even better. “Knowing that this house was donated through love makes it even more special.”