Teresa Diane Kemp

Teresa Diane Kemp, age 75, of Lawrence, Kansas, passed away Monday, June 8, 2026.

Teresa was born November 12, 1950, in Hot Springs, Arkansas, to the late Hershel and Betty Crone. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Donald Crone and niece Nora Crone McNeely.

Teresa is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Stephen Philip Kemp; two daughters, Tracy Runck (Chris), of Lawrence, KS, and Hayley Bennetts (Jeremy) of Lansing, KS; a granddaughter, Evyn Runck and 2 grandsons, Sean Runck and Eli Bennetts; sister-in-law, Linda Crone; nephew, Travis Crone; great niece, Drew Crone; great nephews, Noah and Cash Crone and Gabe McNeely; her cousins, as well as many lifelong friends.

Teresa grew up in Hot Springs, Arkansas, graduating in 1968 from the last class at the historic Hot Springs High School. She attended Arkansas Tech University until marrying her lifelong best friend and high school sweetheart, Steve. She began her career working as a departmental administrative assistant for what was then called Southwestern Bell Telephone Company (AT&T) for 7 years and then became a stay- at-home mom after she and Steve started their family, having 2 beautiful daughters. She then worked various part time jobs as Tracy and Hayley grew up. She served as the Mother’s Day Out director at Central Baptist Church in No. Little Rock, AR; worked as a special ed paraprofessional at Blue Valley High School in Overland Park, KS, for 5 years; and worked as an office assistant for United Blood Services in Hot Springs, AR, for about 5 years.

Since Steve’s retirement, Steve and Teresa moved from their home in Hot Springs, Arkansas, to Lawrence, Kansas, to be closer to their daughters and families. Not being able to be with their daughters and see those grandkids grow up was not an option for Teresa; so ready or not, here they came. It truly was a blessing to be close to family. Teresa enjoyed traveling with Steve. Her other pastime that she enjoyed was watching Evyn, Sean, and Eli play many sports games while they grew up.

Teresa’s motto in life was to always be able to laugh at yourself. Needless to say, she had a lifetime of laughter.

Visitation will be Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at River City Church, 3001 Lawrence Ave., Lawrence, KS 66047 at 1 p.m. preceding her celebration of life at 2 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to River City Church, Lawrence, KS or the American Cancer Society and may be sent in care of the Warren-McElwain Mortuary.