Ora Lee (Kemp) Collins

Life’s Reflection

Ora Kemp Haynes Thomas Collins

Was the first-born child of Lucittie King and William Kemp.  She was born in Cooter, Mo September 13, 1925. She had nine brothers and sisters, Joseph Kemp “Brother Joe”, Ernestine, Mary Lois, Dorothy, Clyde, Donald, Emma and William “Boots” Lloyd Kemp.  Growing up in a family that knew the Lord, Ora accepted the Lord at an early age.  Currently she was one of the Mothers at Memorial Missionary Baptist Church.

The family mainly grew up in Kansas City, Kansas, and all of the children except Brother Joe & William Lloyd graduated from Sumner High School; she was Class of 1942.  Out of high school Ora went on to Cosmetology College at Kansas City Kansas Community Jr College.  From there she went to Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee, where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree 1946-1949. She furthered her studies at Howard University in Washington DC., where she achieved her Masters in Social Work 1949-1950.  She went on to work in Social Work of some Capacity the rest of her Career.  She was the first and only sibling to obtain a College degree.

Ora met and married Joseph Haynes, while working in Chicago.  They eventually moved to Los Angeles, California. To this union she had three children, Claudia Haynes, Joseph Haynes and Lori Haynes.  She later married Walter Thomas; no children were born to this marriage. Then in 1991 she met and Married Cleveland Collins, whom she will be buried with today, no children were born to this marriage.  Late in life she met up again with her High School sweetheart Anderson Smith (AJ) and they remained friends until her death.

Ora had a vast and long employment and Service to her community.  She moved to DC and worked in Social Work.  She moved back to her home in Kansas City and was the Founder and Executive Director of Model Cities which is now known as KCMC Day Care Centers.  She later moved back to California and worked for the Whitter School District in Los Angeles California. 

Ora not only worked she volunteered her time as well and became the First Black Female to reside on the Top Board of NAACP.  She was a lifelong member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) sorority.

Ora was proceeded in death by her parents, William and Lucittie Kemp; her children, Claudia; Joseph (Joey); and Lori Haynes,; her siblings, Earnestine; Clyde; Donald; Emma; and Boots.  She leaves to mourn her two sisters, Mary Lois Kemp Northern; and Dorothy Marie Kemp Clark.  She also leaves to mourn her, daughter-in-law Brenda Haynes; her loving grandson, Ian Antione (Swiyyah) Haynes; her grandchildren Kim; Rayford; and Tasha of California; eighteen great-grandchildren and a host of nieces’ nephews, friends, and extended family.

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