Agnes Louise Priest

Agnes Louise Priest, age 99, of Elkhart, Kansas, died Tuesday, August 22, 2017, at Morton County Senior Living Community in Elkhart, Kansas. She was born July 6, 1918, in Shelbyville, Missouri, the daughter of Tom and Pearl (Johnston) Kemp. She was the oldest of five children. They lived on a farm in Northeast Missouri in a rich, green, beautiful country.

Louise met the love of her life, Woody Priest, while playing Annie, Annie Over on her farm. She married him on December 23, 1935, when she was 17 years old. On March 29, 1937, their son J.W. was born. When J.W. was seven years old, Woody received his “greetings” and he became a Marine in World War II. Louise followed him to various locations where he was stationed. They first moved to Nebraska then Bainbridge Island, Washington. Louise was a welder on ships that came to port. After the war, Louise and Woody moved back to Wilburton and eventually Elkhart, Kansas. They went into business with her brother Bill and established Kemp-Priest Oil Co., which they ran for over 30 years. On May 13, 1954, Mary was born, and on November 25, 1956, Lynn was born. In 1960, they built a brand new house and also a new station. All throughout Louise’s life, she was a go-getter. She was a hard, hard worker. Her house was spotless, everything had a place. She loved to play pitch, crochet and do needle work. Louise also baked amazing angel food cakes. Louise was an amazing woman, and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Survivors include one son, J.W. Priest of Elkhart; one daughter, Mary Forinash and husband Delbert of Eva, Oklahoma; brother, Bill Kemp and wife Jean of Elkhart; sister, Jo Webrand of Charlottesville, North Carolina; 13 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Louise is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Woody, in 2004; son, Lynn Priest; daughter-in-law, Nancy Priest; and brothers, Jim Kemp and Bob Kemp.

Funeral service will be Saturday, August 26, 2017, at 2:00 PM at the First Christian Church in Elkhart, Kansas with Pastor Jim Cunningham officiating. Interment will follow at Elkhart Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, August 25, 2017, from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Elkhart. Memorial contributions may be given to the Morton County Museum in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 854, Elkhart, KS 67950. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.