Alberta Kemp

Alberta Spicer Sides Banks Kemp, 96, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, April 9, 2022, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

Alberta Spicer Sides Banks Kemp, also known as "Aunt Tootsie," was born in Cape Girardeau Aug. 26, 1925.

She was the fifth oldest child and the third daughter of Helen and John Spicer's eight children. She was given her nickname -- Tootsie -- by a family friend. The name came from a comic book character called "Capt. Tootsie." The captain was a superhero invented by Tootsie Roll Industries to advertise Tootsie Rolls and other products. The captain always had to eat a Tootsie Roll when he had an important job to do. It's said Aunt Tootsie loved the candy and sharing them with others. She also felt there was always a job to be done.

She attended John S. Cobb School in Cape Girardeau, graduating in 1944. Following graduation, she attended Milady's School of Beauty Culture in St. Louis. She worked for the Cape Girardeau School District as a cook. She retired from Kmart Corporation in 1987.

Alberta was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church until it closed in 1958, after which she became a member of St. Mary's Cathedral.

In addition to being the family's matriarch, she was the author of the fabulous cookbook -- "Aunt Tootsie's Best Family Recipes" -- and was one of the founders of Holy Family Catholic Church.

Her long and productive life was recognized in 2015 when her 90th birthday, Aug. 26, was proclaimed Alberta Banks-Kemp Day in Cape Girardeau by former mayor Harry Rediger.

She loved her family immensely and stressed the importance of family, faith, education and hard work to everyone she encountered.

Alberta left her family on the evening of April 9, 2022, after sharing a few words with a special nephew, John Sterling. Their moment was shared by her daughters, Alice Mason and Gina Eanes; nieces, Pam Jenkins and Donna "Sue Baby" Jenkins; and friend, Ashley Wheeler at the Lutheran Home.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Helen and John Spicer; sisters, Inez Taylor, Evelyn (Dolly) Jenkins and Mary Spicer; brothers, Leonard (Sam) Spicer, Edward Spicer and John Spicer; son, Nathaniel Banks; granddaughter, Sharon Smith Meads; and grandsons, Nathaniel Banks, Herbert Banks and James Smith.

She is survived by her brother, Robert Spicer Sr., and her children, Carolyn Smith, Phyllis Sides, Gwendolyn St. Julian (Rick Lucas), Alice Mason, David Sides, Gina (Raullo) Eanes, Paul Banks, Estelena (Elbert) Cooksey and Joyce (Albert) Givens. She also leaves to mourn her passing 22 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and many other relatives and friends.

Her life will be celebrated with a funeral arranged and handled by Crain Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, followed by parish prayers at 7 p.m., at the funeral home. Final viewing will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Alberta's life celebration and funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. April 22, 2022 at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Annunciation in Cape Girardeau. Her final resting place will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

Memorials will be to the Catholic Social Ministry food pantry, as well as the United Negro College Fund, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

To view the obituary and/or to leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.crainsonline.com.