'Isn't She Lovely': Alberta Banks-Kemp has made a legacy in her community over 90 years

Alberta "Tootsie" Banks-Kemp was born in Cape Girardeau in 1925 and has been involved in the community for many years.

Even though she has not always lived in Cape Girardeau, Kemp has made a difference in the community at various times throughout her life.

Her father helped build the Holy Family Catholic Church and School, which were an all-black congregation and school.

Kemp also was involved in starting the church and school, and her two oldest children attended school there until integration was introduced in schools in the 1950s.

Alberta Banks-Kemp walks to her seat while escorted by her son-in-law, Rick Lucas, as the song "Isn't She Lovely" is played at her 90th birthday party Aug. 29 in Cape Girardeau. (Fred Lynch)

Along with helping to develop places of worship and learning for African-Americans in the community, Kemp's daughter, Phyllis Sides, says her mother was one of the first black women to volunteer for the American Cancer Society in Cape Girardeau, going door to door asking for donations.

Kemp also was a volunteer for the Southeast Hospital Auxiliary for several years.

"She has been active -- my mother has been on the forefront. She's quiet, but she doesn't mind getting involved," Kemp's daughter, Gwen Lucas, says.

Kemp turned 90 on Aug. 26, and three days later, she was given a birthday party to remember.

Alice Mason, another of Kemp's daughters, says she and her eight siblings worked together for more than six months to plan the party for their mother, and that birthday parties like this have become tradition for their family.

"It was just assumed, because since she turned 70, I think we've had a party for her every five years," Mason says.

Kemp's day started with a celebratory Mass at 11 a.m. at the Newman Center in the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas, the Catholic Campus Ministry Center at Southeast Missouri State University, followed by a party at VFW Post 3838 in Cape Girardeau.

The party included a program dedicated to Kemp, during which she shared details about her life and her relationships with people in the community.

She entered the room to Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely," after which she was presented a proclamation, which was written by her daughter, Phyllis Sides, from Cape Girardeau Mayor Harry Rediger.

One of her nephews also arranged to have a framed statement signed by President Barack Obama and his wife, first lady Michelle Obama, given to Kemp. The statement includes wishes for a happy birthday and says, in part, "You are part of an extraordinary generation that has helped guide America through times of calm and crisis, renewing the values that define our Nation."

Cutline-File Credit:Alberta Banks-Kemp receives a proclamation on her 90th birthday from Mayor Harry Rediger at a party Aug. 29 in Cape Girardeau. (Fred Lynch)

Sides says the party began with a fashion show icebreaker, with family members displaying styles from different time periods throughout Kemp's life. They also played games and had a set line-up including different music and entertainment throughout the night.

About 300 people attended the party -- a testament to the connections Kemp has made throughout her life in and around Cape Girardeau and across the United States.

Kemp says that among those 300 or so people, unexpected guests were the biggest birthday surprises she was given.

"That was amazing," she says. "So many people came, because I know there was one young lady that used to come to visit me when I lived in Wisconsin, and she was a friend of Gina's (Kemp's daughter), and she had called me on my birthday and said that she wasn't going to be able to come, and then that was really a surprise when she showed up. She and her husband, they showed up. They live in Florida now*... That was just unbelievable to see all those people come."

Kemp had family travel from all over the country to be at her party. Visitors came from California, Texas, Illinois and New Jersey, as well as other places.

Many homemade desserts were offered at the party, but one special cake was planned specifically with one of Kemp's hobbies in mind. It was a cake made in the shape of a bed with a colorful patchwork quilt made from icing laid over it. As she cut it, all of her family and friends sang Stevie Wonder's version of "Happy Birthday" around her.

The night was capped off with dancing to big band music, one of Kemp's favorite styles.

Kemp says she still likes to stay busy during the week, so she goes to the Hoover Center at Southeast for the Senior Alive Adult Day Program four days a week. While there, she is able to exercise, do puzzles and eat lunch. Along with that program, she likes to quilt and sew, and likes to make T-shirt quilts and blankets for her grandchildren.

She also has produced two cookbooks full of original family recipes available for purchase on Amazon.com. She was encouraged by several grandchildren to write down her recipes, especially her recipe for homemade bread, which remains legendary among her family and friends.