A Beautiful Life Remembered: Leona Marie Kemp (Wasson)

Leona Marie Kemp (Wasson) passed away on January 31st, 2026, at the young age of 71. She spent her final years in Rocky Mount, NC, where she and her devoted husband of nearly 46 years, Bob Kemp, made their home together in recent years. Leona’s presence will be profoundly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Born on March 15, 1954, in Hannibal, MO, to Lilburn “Bud” and Leona Wasson, Leona spent much of her life in Portage, IN, and graduated from Portage High School in 1972. She dedicated her career to working as a legal assistant, spending the last 22 years with her friend, Attorney Mark Coleman, before retiring in 2015.

Leona was passionate about sewing, quilting, gardening, bird watching, traveling, reading, and cooking. Above all else, Leona treasured the moments she shared with her family. For many years, she and her devoted husband welcomed loved ones into their home, hosting family gatherings that created lasting memories. As the heart of a blended family, Leona welcomed each member with open arms, loving her family through marriage just as deeply and unconditionally as she did her own. Annual trips with her mom, daughter and sisters were cherished dearly for many years.

Despite the miles that sometimes separated them, Leona remained a constant and loving presence in the lives of her grandsons, Kian and Nolan Laffey. She found immense happiness in supporting them, especially while watching their baseball games—a source of great joy and pride for her.

Though Leona encountered hardships throughout her life, her strong will and unwavering positive outlook ensured that those around her seldom saw her struggles. Her resilience and optimistic spirit were a testament to the person she was—always finding light even in the face of adversity. Her spirituality and faith in God provided her with strength and comfort. Despite enduring several chronic illnesses, Leona met these challenges with unwavering resilience and kept her spirits high.

Leona is deeply missed by her devoted husband who stood by her side during their 46 years together, Bob Kemp, whom she loved dearly; her daughter, Kelly (James) Laffey (Zaparucha) whom she considered the “sunshine of her life”; grandsons, Kian and Nolan Laffey; sisters, Dorthea (Russ) Seybold and Bonnie (Ron) Morton; stepchildren, Bobby Kemp Jr., Kim Kemp, Mike (Carol) Kemp, and Lori (Phil) Baker; nephews, Richard & Michael Thorn, Andrew & Evan Walter, Tom Mitchell; nieces, Dena Mitchell, Lisa Fox, and Stacey Luttrell; 11 step-grandchildren; and 13 step-great-grandchildren.

Leona was preceded in death by her parents, “Bud” and Leona Wasson; her sister and brother-in-law, Janis and Don Hunt; sisters-in-law, Patricia Mitchell and Diane Howell; her mother-in-law, Alla May Finchum; and her father-in-law, Charlie Kemp.

A funeral service for Leona will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at Rees Funeral Home, Olson Chapel, 5341 Central Avenue, Portage, Indiana 46368. A visitation for Leona will be held from 11:00 am until the time of the service, also at Rees Funeral Home. For more information, please call 219-762-3013. Online condolences may be shared with the family at Reesfuneralhomes.com.