Natalie Temple

The world lost a shining presence on August 3rd, 2021, when Natalie Temple of Pearl passed away at the age of 50 after a courageous, 10-year battle with cancer.

Natalie was born on April 19th, 1971, in Jackson, Mississippi, to Barry and Judy Kirkpatrick.

Her childhood was divided between Metairie, Louisiana; Manassas, Virginia; and Brandon, Mississippi, where she graduated from Brandon High School with the Class of 1989. She spent most of her professional life at the Pearl Public School District, where she worked as an administrative assistant for 18 years. Never one to back away from a challenge, Natalie managed to juggle a full-time job with motherly duties and earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Development from Delta State University in 2019 - all while fighting cancer.

Natalie was a beacon of hope to some, a source of strength for others, and a friend to most. The bubbly warmth of her personality was contagious. Her radiant smile brought people in and made them feel welcome, and her easy-going wit put people at ease. These qualities resulted in her making friends wherever she went and turned grocery shopping into a several hour social affair (much to the chagrin of her husband).

Cancer is a rough journey replete with pain and suffering. Despite tragically experiencing this first-hand, Natalie fought with grace, poise, and strength throughout her ten-year battle with metastatic breast cancer. On the dark days, her spirit remained strong, and her smiles remained bright. Regardless of how heavy her personal burdens became, Natalie always found a way to lighten her load with humor. Even when hospice was called in, she quipped to her doctor, “Come on now, you can’t get rid of me that easy.”

A devoted mother, Natalie’s most passionate hobby was loving her children. No tennis match, dance competition, or college parents’ weekend went unattended. No bad day at school went unnoticed, and no day went by without a hug. Through her special relationship with her niece, she was also able to experience the joy of being a grandmother for several precious years and was bestowed the name “Kitty” by Ava Kate. In addition to her two biological children and niece, she adopted a few hundred more children at the Pearl Public School District whom she called “her babies.” She loved each and every one of them.

A wonderfully-sweet spirit, generous and thoughtful to her core, Natalie will be missed dearly.

She is survived by her husband of 29 years, John “Rusty” Temple of Pearl, Mississippi; two children, Parker Temple and Madison Temple; parents, Barry and Judy Kirkpatrick; two brothers, Richard (Tracy) Kirkpatrick and Kevin Kirkpatrick; niece, Haley (Drake) Cushing; and countless other dear nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and family members.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to please consider donating in Natalie’s name to either the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research Foundation or the American Cancer Society.

A visitation will be held Saturday, August 7th from 4-6 at the Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, Mississippi. A Celebration of Life service will follow.

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