Kennesaw Mountain Landis Hemphill
(October 27, 1930 – November 10, 2023)

Kennesaw Mountain Landis Hemphill passed from this life to his heavenly home on Friday, November 10, 2023, at the age of 93. He was at home with his daughters by his side. Kenny was born October 27, 1930, in Monroe, Oklahoma and was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 67 years, Phyllis Hemphill; parents, William R. and Lillie Hemphill; and brothers, Gerald, Zene, Eric and Arnold Hemphill. He is survived by devoted daughters Karen McNeil (Bucky) and Benji Yelverton (Randy); cherished grandchildren Lindsey Roshto (Kevin), Jessica Gregory (Ryan), Holly Alexander (Joe Frank), Alex Phelps (David) , Sierra Blount (Clayton), Landis Yelverton (Kelsey), Christian McNeil (Emily); and precious great-grandchildren Emma, Olivia, and Abel Roshto; Dawson and Madison Gregory; Isaac, Jameson, and Prentiss Alexander; Gracelynn, Elijah, and Caroline Phelps; Sawyer Yelverton; Kylie, Gunner, and Autumn Blount; Bucky A. McNeil; and special niece and great nephew Mandy Hemphill Walters and Rhett Walters (Isabella).

Kenny was the youngest of five boys and spent many happy years with his brothers playing baseball for school and local teams. After graduation he attended Poteau Junior College for a short time until leaving to pursue a baseball career as a pitcher for several different teams including the Bonanza Blues, Borger Gassers, Pauls Valley Raiders, Fort Worth Cats, Mobile Bears, and the Pueblo Dodgers, interrupted by a two year stay in the Army during the Korean war. As he reported for processing at Fort Sill the interviewer requested his civilian occupation. When he answered professional baseball player he was asked who he played for. Because he answered that he played for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the Fort Worth AA Texas League, he was chosen to play baseball for the Fourth Army Reception Center team. During his two years in the Army his team traveled all over the country providing entertainment for many homesick young soldiers and won the Fourth Army Baseball Championship. Unfortunately an injury to his pitching arm brought his baseball career to a close.

He and Phyllis were married July 6, 1955 and began their married life in Wichita, Kansas, where they both worked for Boeing in the Apollo/Saturn space program. The company transferred them to New Orleans, Huntsville, Cape Kennedy, and Seattle. In 1972 they moved to Bay Springs, Mississippi, to be near family. Kenny was the manager of Anvil Mineral Mining Corporation for several years and then became the groundskeeper and manager of the golf course at Bay Springs Country Club until he retired, where he made wonderful friends and played many rounds of golf.

He and Phyllis loved the time spent with family and best friends, Arnold, Ouida, Zene, and Eva Lee Hemphill. They enjoyed playing golf and built a home on a hill overlooking the golf course where they devoted so much time and effort. He enjoyed mowing grass and keeping his yard beautiful, and relished any new building project. He also had an artistic flair, carving wood to transform it into interesting and beautiful art pieces. He was passionate about taking pictures and kept his "camera" with him everywhere he went. It was a joy for him to be a member of Antioch Baptist Church and he attended as long as he was able. He was kind and caring to everyone and never met a stranger. More than anything Kenny loved his family and wanted to be with them as often as possible.

Visitation will be held on Monday, November 13, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Antioch Baptist Church, 1611 Hwy. 18, Louin, with the service following the visitation with burial in Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery. Bro. Steve Pouncey will be officiating. Pallbearers will be Kevin Roshto, Ryan Gregory, Joe Frank Alexander, Landis Yelverton, Clayton Blount, and Rhett Walters. Special music will be performed by granddaughter, Jessica Gregory, and great granddaughter, Emma Roshto.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to either Bay Springs Country Club (designated to the Hemphill Beautification Fund) or to Antioch Baptist Church Youth and Children's Fund. The family would like to express their gratitude to all of his very special caregivers and Enhabit Hospice for their exceptional care.

Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Bay Springs is in charge of arrangements. 601-764-2181