By Charlotte Smith
May 10, 2022, is a milestone birthday for Bladen County resident Fletcher Kemp. Born in 1922 and raised “a mile and a quarter from Lisbon,” Kemp is turning 100-years-young today.
Growing up in Bladen County, the youngest sibling to four brothers and one sister, “I was the runt of the litter,” Kemp said.
He started school in Lisbon at the age of eight, and his teacher was so impressed with his abilities that she promoted him to the third grade. He attended Carvers Creek and Clarkton schools as well.
After school, he was drafted into the Air Force and served during World War II. He served as a crew member on C-47 Skytrain aircrafts and enjoyed his job. “I was lucky,” Kemp explained, “I made it back safely from the overseas missions.”
He was honorably discharged from the Air Force and served his community as a Bladen County Sheriff’s Deputy.
In 1984, Mr. Kemp retired from the Bladen County Sheriff’s office and took up driving cars for Jessup Motors in Elizabethtown.
He married his bride at the age of 36. They were happily married for 63 years until she passed away in September of 2021. Although he continues to miss her, he remains strong and happy in their home near Elizabethtown. “She loved flowers, and you can still see all the azaleas she planted,” Kemp reminisced as he pointed at the blooms.
To celebrate his birthday, Kemp is enjoying correspondence from friends and family and watching old westerns on television. He smiles as he pulls out a heartfelt card from his niece to show his visitors.
According to the centenarian, the secret to living a long, healthy life may be loving to read and eating slowly.
If anyone rides by Kemp’s home today, they will see a sign pitched in his front yard that reads, “Happy 100th Birthday Fletcher”.
About Author
