Bernadette L. (Spinks) Kemp

Loving mother, sister, friend, Bernadette L. (Spinks) Kemp, 71, of Layton, Utah, passed away peacefully at home on November 17, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Bernadette was born on January 8,1954 to James E. and Willa M. Spinks in Layton, Utah. After Bernadette graduated from Layton High School in 1972, she attended Stevens Henager College.

In 1977, Bernadette married Jack Kemp in Elko, Nevada. A daughter, Willa Mae, was born of their union and named after Bernadette's mother.

Bernadette worked at Hill Air Force Base for 35 years before retiring in 2020. She was fond of singing and sang as a cantor for many years at her church. Growing up she loved music, especially Motown.

Bernadette greatly enjoyed gardening and sharing her harvest with the community. For several years she was involved in International Training in Communication (ITC) where she won many speech contests. Bernadette had memberships in the Order of Eastern Stars (PHA) and the NAACP.

In 2014 she and daughter Willa became members of the Gamma Phi Delta Sorority Inc. She loved connecting with her Sorors and being a “Gamma Girl”.

Over the years, Bernadette supported African orphanages ran by Catholic missions.

Bernadette was preceded in death by her husband Jack, her parents James and Willa Mae Spinks, brothers Anthony, Edward (Eddie), Iven, Irven and Tracy. She is survived by daughter Willa Kemp, brother Arthur Joseph (Joe) Spinks, a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Funeral Mass will be held Monday, December 1, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 210 Chapel St. Layton, Utah. Friends may visit with family Sunday, November 30, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road, Layton, Utah.

Services will be live streaming by going to www.lindquistmortuary.com and scrolling to the bottom of Bernadette's obituary page.