Anita Jane (Carnes) Kamp passed away in the early morning hours of Sunday, March 17, 2024 at the age of 83 years, at Boyd Memorial Hospital in Carrollton.
Anita was the only daughter born to Charles Cyrus and Bernice (Canan) Carnes on March 20, 1940. Anita grew up in Batchtown with her brothers, and married John William “Bill” Kamp on September 12, 1959 at St. Barbara’s Catholic Church in Batchtown, Illinois.
She enjoyed the simple things in life: family, gardening, canning foods, bird watching, and watching wrestling or a Cardinal’s baseball game on TV while eating a bag of popcorn. Anita was a homemaker and was self-employed in the Alton area as a “house cleaner”. She scrubbed until a client’s homes sparkled, taking pride in a job well done. Anita was well-known for the care and attention she spent helping others with the household cleaning. Most of her clientele became some of her best friends and acquaintances for the remainder of her life.
Anita suffered a stroke in 2004 that resulted in a severe deficit on her left side that she dealt with for almost 20 plus years of her life. However, this never became an obstacle that stopped her from doing the things she loved to do, such as cooking! Candied butternut squash, green bean casserole, homemade dressing, and spaghetti were side dishes almost always complimented a fully baked ham along with a turkey. “Couldn’t have one without the other was her motto” and there was no such thing as a small holiday meal.
One of her greatest joys in life was becoming a mother in 1963 to the first of her four children, all of whom survive now with their children, and great-grandchildren. Anita was blessed with 12 Grandchildren and 13 Great-Grandchildren. Anita so enjoyed the opportunity to visit and spend time with her grandchildren and/or attend one of their baseball or other sporting games. She also loved ice cream stops at “SHIVERS” in Godfrey with family when possible.
She was preceded in death by both her parents and her brothers: Charles Cyrus Carnes Sr. and Laura Bernice Canan-Carnes of Batchtown, Illinois, Charles “SAM” C. Carnes Jr, Lendell “Mike” Carnes & his wife Doris Carnes of Batchtown, IL, and Emmet J. Carnes; as well as a great granddaughter, Cameron Isaacson (Jena and Trey’s daughter).
She is survived by her husband of 64 years, John “Bill” Kamp and by her four children and their spouses, in order of birth: Tammie (Gary) Kronable of Rosedale, IL, Laura (Tracy) Sparks of Worden, IL, John Jr. Kamp of Batchtown, Charles (Anna) Kamp of Godfrey, IL. She is also survived by her 12 grandchildren (with 12 great grandchildren): Jared Kronable (Emily, Tinlee & Alexis) of Midland, TX, Jena Issacson (Levi, Mason & Paige) of Edwardsville, IL, Brandan Turner (Brayden, Braelyn, Braysen & Brayven) of Festus, MO, Zak Turner (Zaelyn, Blakely) of Park Hills, MO, Morgan Roberson of Wood River, IL, Dylan Kamp of Kampsville, IL, Travis Kamp of Hardin, IL, Derek Kamp of Batchtown, IL , Kannon Kamp, Katherine Kamp, Karlton Kamp, and Kole Kamp of Godfrey, IL. She is also survived by her two sisters in law: Carol Sue Carnes (Charles Jr.) of Brussels, IL and Margie Carnes (Emmet) of Brussels, IL.
Anita - You hold such a special place in all of our hearts; and we are proud to call you wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandma, nana, nana-nita, and friend.
Anita is best personified by this quote: “A Mother is not like any other person in the world; their unconditional love and sacrifice are priceless.”
Visitation will be held from 8 a.m. – 9:45 a.m., Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Jerseyville.
Interment will follow at Indian Creek Cemetery, alongside her parents, Charley and Bernice.
Following the interment, dinner will be catered and served at Big John’s Tavern in Hardin, IL.
Memorials may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, American Heart Association, St. Francis/Holy Ghost Catholic School or to Masses.
Memories will be shared with the family by visiting www.crawfordfunerals.com.
