Melinda Ruth-Luz Kemp, age 60, passed away peacefully at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst on November 8, 2018.

Melinda was born on May 3, 1958 in Marlboro, New Jersey. She is the daughter of the late Herman Franklin Kemp, Sr. and Mildred Adele Kemp. She moved to North Carolina in March of 1987.

Melinda was an exceptionally talented artist and prolific poet. Aside from a decade-long career in retail management, she excelled in many creative endeavors including mural and sign painting, custom framing, jewelry making, gardening, and creating decorative seascapes. She also had a lifelong fondness and appreciation of horses, exhibited by her specialty in equine art.

The last 20 years of her life were dedicated to writing poetry, which has been published in numerous anthologies, including Skyline Literary Magazine out of New York, Ibbetson Street Press out of Boston, and Nostalgia Press out of South Carolina. Her works have also been highly recognized in various poetry contests, including the Weymouth Center of the Arts annual Writers’ Competition, and the Field’s of Earth Poetry Competition of Fayetteville, North Carolina.

She is predeceased by her brother, Herman Franklin Kemp, Jr.

Left to remember her are her daughter, Seren Infantino (née Lyerly); her life partner, Alan Lyerly; her son-in-law, Danny Infantino; and her beloved grandson, Daniel Alan Infantino.

Melinda will always be remembered by her friends and family for her generous and kind spirit, love of nature and positive outlook on life. A memorial gathering to celebrate her life will be held at the home of her daughter on Sunday, November 18, 2018.

Prior to her passing, Melinda expressed her wishes to be memorialized through charity; therefore, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to either of these favorite organizations: The Moore Philharmonic Orchestra, and The Moore Free Care Clinic.