Life story

"Kemberli was raised in a country home near Happy, Tx. She enjoyed reading, cooking, crafts, interaction with farm animals, and gardening. She was excited to help her Papa and Momma with cooking, farm chores, birthing or bottle feeding calves. Kemberli and her brother Mason were best friends and inseparable. She spoke often of many wonderful memories there. She graduated from Canyon High School in Canyon Texas in 2007 where she excelled in academics and was active in the band. She loved learning sign language, and often signed to herself or others while speaking even in later years. She attended West Texas A&M and Sam Houston State Universities and graduated on the Dean’s List with Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Psychology degrees in December 2009. She then moved to Ithaca NY and attended Cornell University. She delighted in introducing herself there as a Texan. (She always announced herself as being from Happy, Texas- sounding like “happy Texas.”) She graduated with honors with a Master of Regional Planning in May 2013. It was there she met and married her best friend Paul Leonhardt June 2015. The newlyweds moved to Atlanta in 2016 and the city quickly became home. While in Atlanta, Kemberli was employed by PEDS and the City of Atlanta, and had just landed her dream job as Manager of the Vision Zero Program with the Atlanta DOT. She loved making friends in the Planning community and was well respected by her peers. She had dedicated her career to promoting safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and safer transportation options for all. In her personal life, nothing could make Kemberli happier than being on her bike and riding through the streets of Atlanta. It was cruel irony that her passing was due to the concerns that motivated her throughout her life. She developed a love for traveling with friends and family, and among others, had visited Puerto Rico, Dubai, Pakistan, Barcelona, Mexico City, Canada, Germany, France, and many states in the US. Her other hobbies included spending quality time with friends and family, hiking, walking, biking, cooking, reading, and growing house plants and succulents. Above all, Kemberli was a genuine and warm person who cared deeply about her family, friends, and the people around her. No one gave better hugs. She passed away peacefully in her home July 14, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. She will always be remembered for her fairness, her kind and generous heart, loving and adventurous spirit, and passion for living in the present. She felt strongly about her beliefs while still being accepting of others as well. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband Paul. Her mother in law Ute, father in law Frank, sister in law Martha with husband Patrick and nephews Moritz and Hannes, brother in law Hans, and the German family matriarch Margot.
Kemberli was preceded in death by grandparents John Sargent and Tomye Ruth Sargent Rogers, aunt Kelli and uncle Kory Sargent, and uncle Wes Austin. Those left to cherish her memory- Kemberli’s parents Kim Sargent and companion Beth McPherson, and Toni Stoner and husband Wendell. Brother Mason Sargent and wife Kelsey, niece Ellie. Grandparents Jim and Virginia Pittman, aunt Jamie Austin, cousins Ty, Luke and wife Lauren, Katie Austin, and many other beloved family and friends. Celebration of life services were private and held in Palo Duro Canyon and Amarillo, Tx. Family requests donations to Propel ATL or favorite charity in lieu of gifts."