On Thursday, September 9, 2010 Lady Dr. MaLinda P. Sapp departed this earth and peacefully went on to glory. Lady MaLinda, the affectionate name she was referred to by most, was a virtuous woman, a devoted mother and was faithfully united in covenant with Rev. Dr. Marvin L. Sapp, her adoring husband and a gifted man of God. Lady MaLinda was born March 1, 1967 in Mobile, Alabama to the late Cornelius Sr. and Barroneece Prince. She was raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan and was taught to love the Lord early in life. Lady MaLinda was a praying woman, she communed with the Lord daily and she was often requested to share the Word of God all across the country.
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Lady MaLinda devoted herself to enriching the spiritual and personal lives touched by her along the journey of her life. Her life was guided by Isaiah 61:1-3, “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness”. Along the journey, Lady MaLinda earned a Master’s Degree in Psychology from Western Michigan University and was a Nationally Board Certified Counselor and limited licensed professional counselor. She also holds a Doctorate of Divinity from the Center of Friends International Christian University.
Early in her career, Lady MaLinda worked as a Professional Psychologist for a Christian Mental Health Service and later as a Professor of Psychology and Limited License Counselor for a local Community College. For several years now, she and her husband have personally sponsored and hosted an annual Back to School Rally, now serving over 4,000 community members. The event provides backpacks, school supplies, haircuts, clothing and meals to over 1,000 youth in the inner city each year. In 2003, Lady MaLinda co-founded, with her husband Dr. Marvin L. Sapp, Lighthouse Full Life Center Church, located now on the campus of its 17- acre property, Kingdom Square. In 2005, Lady MaLinda retired from her professional career to devote herself to their ministry where she served faithfully as Administrative Pastor. She founded Grand Rapids Ellington Academy for Arts and Technology (GREAAT) Inc., an extended learning after school k-12 program that introduces the study of the Arts and Technology in the mastery of academic skills and content. The after school model was an instant success, offering performing arts, technology, Spanish, and academic tutoring to well over 300 students each school year. She also founded Rhema Bible Institute, an affiliate Center of Friends International Christian University and sponsors an annual Black College Tour that gives local high school students an opportunity to visit prospective colleges. She was very active in community affairs, serving on the Board of the Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services as well as several other boards. She has received numerous recognitions and awards acknowledging her leadership in the community . For the past two decades Lady MaLinda Sapp has impacted numerous lives and though her job on earth is well done, the heritage of her influence will forever remain.
Her husband, a loving and gifted man of God, Rev. Dr. Marvin L. Sapp to whom she was united in covenant with and honored throughout her life, survives Lady MaLinda. Marvin II, Mikaila and Madisson, her three wonderful children will dearly miss her and their loving and caring relationship. Her loving and devoted mother Barroneece Prince, grandmother MaLinda Ward of Memphis, TN, and mother-in-law Lodena Hollifield of Forest, MS also survived by her; she is the beloved sister of Cheryl Kimble and Latonja Curry-Buggs; and brothers Cornelius (Sylvia) Prince, and Winchell (Kenyatta) Curry; and brother-in-laws Danny (Cindy) Sapp, Henry (Christine) Sapp and Darnell Sapp all of Grand Rapids, Michigan; and is loved by a host of aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins, family and friends. Gone before her were her father Cornelius Prince, Sr., her father-in-law Henry Lewis Sapp and her grandmother Louise White.
180 comments
TOP commentPosted 1 year ago
This was a beautiful and heartfelt tribute! Our continued prayers to each and every one of you for times to come! Our God is able!
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I listen to your music and it really help me to be strong in the lord. May the joy of the lord continue be your strength.
You are truly a man of god Mr Marvin Sapp. Sorry for you lost but god knows best , she is in heaven shining down on
and you and her beautiful children.
Dr. Marvin L. Sapp, We as people of the land, discover that if we live within is word, he will give use are strong’s ; Proverb 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. I walk with him each sec, min, hr of each day.
Dr. Marvin – I had the pleasure of your singing and preaching ministry at my church The City of Love in March 2011 for our D.O.L.L. (Daughters of Life and Love) Women’s Conference in New Orleans. I thank God for your coming to strenghten Bishop Lester and Pastor Fran Love (First Lady) and the entire church family. This is my prayer also that the Master continue to strenghten you while you and the children are healing from the loss of your soulmate and mother of your children. God bless and much love.
I was listening to a gospel program recently and heard Pastor Sapp mention that his wife had passed. I’ve decided to look up information regarding the passing of his wife. She was so beautiful. This is a very heartfelt tribute to her. My prayers are with Pastor Sapp, the children, his church and MaLinda’s mother. You can feel the love on every article and video. Without a doubt, Lady MaLinda was a angel on loan and a precious jewel. May God continue to strenghten this family. Grace and peace!
i was searching for some hope, on the internet of all places. I lost 115 pounds last year eating raw vegan, then gained it all back. i was depressed. someone answered me and in the back ground of one of thier videos played a song. it touched so deeply, i had to find it. It was donnie mcClurkin singing “clean heart”. so i searched for more of his music and saw him singing “stand”. but it was at a funeral. Malinda Sapp(God rest her soul). i never heard of Donnie or Lady Malinda before this(three weeks ago) I was so drawn to Marvin and his strength. I lost my father 11 years ago, and have been angry for 10 of those years. To see those children up on stage, reading, smiling. it just moved me in ways i was not expecting. i cried. I just cried and cried. i played marvin over and over again singing “let go and let God”. I never expected the internet to give me the beginning of the healing peace i so hungrily need at this point in my life. Food has taken over my life. Eating and binging and starving has killed my soul. I feel my soul coming back to me, it has been lost for so long. Thank you for Jesus for guiding me to lighthouse. Lady Malinda, please take care of my dad. I will see you all one day. bless you from Canada.
Dr. M.L. Sapp, I didn’t know your wife (Lady MaLinda) had gone home. Therefore, now I know what that song means to you “never would of made It with out you (Jesus). God’s speed. Love you as a Fan of your Music but even more for your love songs.
It’s going on two years since Sis. Sapp has left us and my prayers are with You Pastor Sapp and the family. We all love her.and we miss her dearly
May the Lord continue to Bless Pastor Marvin and his family at this time.
he is indeed a man of God and a wonderful husband
I would first of all like to say that, I would love to have thanked this beautiful woman for giving me the honor of sharing such an anointed, God sent, man. I only wish that I could give the two of you back all of the time that you spent giving to others and though I have never meet either of you, my heart still cries at the thought of Pastor Marvin and your kids loosing you. Pastor Marvin, You have pretty much gotten me through much of my life with your songs of love, encouragement and faith. I pray to the God that you have so faithfully sang into my heart, to continuously fill you with everything that you have given me. “Never would have made it” helped me to let go when my aunt (my heart) went home to God. I know with all of my heart that he has his hands on you.
I praise God for your music ministry Dr. Sapp & I just found out of your wife’s passing. I will continue to keep you lifted in prayer & your entire family & church family. This is a great loss to us but God knows best. I pray your strength in the Lord because THE JOY OF THE LORD IS GONNA BE YOUR STRENGTH FOR YOU & YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY. I love you in Jesus name & be encouraged continue the work of the Lord.
My heart goes our to this great family for the loss of their loved one. This woman lived her life for God according to this tribute. May God give the family the fortitude to bear the loss.
Rev. Sapp,my heart goes out to you and your family,no one knows the time nor the hour. You are truely
blessed.God has favored you,and you are a blessing as wee. Continue on the path the Lord has laid out for you,which I know you will. Continue to spread the gospel,and the wonderful music,that u give unto us all.
To be absence from the body is to be present with the Lord. Be strong in the Lord for He will see you through the storm and bring you sunshine.
Saddened by her story yet inspired to be a relevant Christian.Praying for her family-God is able-
bsr stp je suis une jeune camerounaise voulant faire partie de votre congregation mais je ne sais comment je visionne beaucoup la chaine du pasteur christ et ce la ke je puis apercevoir vos coordonne et cincerement je besoin de faire partie des votres. en attendant votre reponse svp restes des la grace de dieu et soyez beni merci.
BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I didn’t even know and I listen to Bro. Marvin everyday in my truck on CD…he and his wife were married several months after my husband and I and she was born a couple of days before my husband. It hit home when I read her page. Don’t really know what to say, but now when I hear “Never Would Have Made It” those words will be soo much more appreciated and when I sing the words I will be singing up a prayer for him and his kids and her family. My husband and I have 6 kids. 3 girls and 3 boys ranging from 3months to 18 years old. It’s just good to know he will see her again and it won’t be long. Keep the Faith my brother.
Min. Stephanie Darden
IT IS FINISHED
Sometimes in adversity, even though our understanding is not complete and our agreement not required, GOD loves us unwaveringly and HIS Favor is always towards the pure in heart. Always in our prayers and tops in our desire for your complete good!. . .We Gotchu M.O.G.
+Carrington
mavin you have lost a might pillar in the house hold of faith, God in is infinity mercy grant you the heart to bear this inrepairable lost (Amen) we love your ministry here in Nigeria, your songs has been sources of inspiration to choir and choir master . May God give you more grace to continue this good work .i have been bless with most of your album and i will like to be one of your fan.
I will continue to pray for the Sapp family .
The Women’s Conference was the bomb!!!!!!!!!
My First Lady would have been so proud.
Dr. Sapp, i thank God you honored the crown of your joy here. I heard you speak on the Steve Harvey show concerning Dr. MaLinda after she went on home and you praised God with your reverence for your beloved. My wife and I are starting our music ministry journey and she is following Dr. MaLinda’s footsteps seeking her LPC and then opening a counseling service along my side. Dr. Sapp you ushered the spirit of reverence into my heart during a time when i wanted to give up. I know your albums will be blessed for as long as you allow God to use you. Dr. MaLinda has left her earthly vessel but her fingerprints and footprints will be seen forever!
Our continued prayers are with you and your family!
“God will take care of you, He will see you through”
Even though I didn’t know her personally, she is still my sister. Listening to the women of God at the service speak about how she addressed them when she spoke, gave me inspiration to seek God on how I am to address, not just the women of God, but His people over all. For that I am grateful. Stand bold man of God!
May God continue to bless you with words and songs of wisdom. I am so proud of your family. So proud to be African America , saved and filled with the holy spirt. Bless your Mother-in-law as well. Bless your name JESUS !
To pastor Sapp and family, I am sorry for the passing of this mighty woman of God. Love you all
My prayers go out to you and your family. From a child’s perspective I can understand how it feels to loose a mother. I often listens to your song “never would have made”it. This is what brought me through and I look back at how I could have really lost mind in dealing with a full time job and caring for my mother full time. This was a lot, but i give praises to God. So, i will say continue to look to God for your strength and he will help you and give you a peace that passeth all understanding.
god has really blessed u with a beautiful wife a great and powerful woman of god and tears come to my eyes as a listen to best in me now as i write this may god bless u during your lost marvin i love u and your family. a pnominal woman thank u jesus for the time u have blessed eveyone to share with her.