Elizabeth Lily Kemp

Elizabeth Lily Davidian Kemp, of Gainesville, age 91, went to be with Jesus, her Lord and Savior, on March 7, 2023, after a brief illness.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 18 years, the late Kenneth Mauldin Kemp of Gainesville.

Lily is survived by her two daughters, Lisa Anne Kemp of Gainesville and Nancy Victoria Kemp Ware (Patrick Cotton), of Lula, and her granddaughter Lauren Elizabeth Ware of Athens. She is also survived by her brother, Hrayr (Harry) Davidian of London, England, nephews, Billy Whelchel and Sam Whelchel, niece and nephew, Shirley and Jim Gailey. A number of other nieces and nephews also survive.

Lily was born April 11, 1931, in Nicosia, Cyprus to the late Victoria Ishkhanian and Dickran Davidian and was of Armenian descent. She grew up in Nicosia on a farm and would wake up every day before school and go to their orchard and pick fresh apricots and figs for breakfast. It was on the farm that Lily developed a gentle and intense love for animals for the rest of her life. Lily moved from Cyprus to England to further her education at the University of London and also work at the United States Embassy. It was during this time that she began a pen pal relationship with her late husband Kenneth, which would eventually lead her to visit the United States, marry Kenneth, have children, and make her home in Gainesville.

After moving to the United States and getting married, Lily continued her education and was a graduate of Brenau University, first earning her Bachelors in English and then Masters in Education. She enjoyed learning and was a fierce advocate of education for everyone. Lily began her working career at Hall County Hospital (now Northeast Georgia Medical Center) and also ended it there after 39 years. In her last position in Pastoral Care she administered love to anyone who needed a shoulder to cry on and an ear to hear them. Lily was a devout Christian who cared deeply about people and felt a calling to help those in the hospital with spiritual guidance and healing. Her gregarious and fun personality made her easy to be around and brought light to everyone who came into contact with her. Lily loved reading the Bible, all things Queen Elizabeth, her loving cat JoJo, flowers, tea, and her daughters and granddaughter. Until her illnesses would not allow her to travel well, Lily was a staple congregant at Lakewood Baptist Church.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Friday March 31, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. in the chapel of Little & Davenport Funeral Home. Dr. Tyler Smiley and Dr. Jerry Gill will officiate.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday from 2:00 p.m. until the funeral hour.

Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com

Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Georgia 30501 is in charge of arrangements.

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