The entire staff of WVEL would like to extend our condolences to Pastor Marvin Sapp and his family. I can not imagine the pain that they are suffering, but can only pray that they find peace knowing that their beloved is not in the arms of Jesus. Funeral arrangements have been set for Thursday, September 16, 2010. Please read below for further obituary information:
Wife of gospel singer Marvin Sapp dies at 43
Ursula Watson / The Detroit News
MaLinda Sapp, wife of gospel star Marvin Sapp, died Thursday from colon cancer. She was 43. The mother of three was co-pastor with her husband of the Lighthouse Full Life Center Church in Grand Rapids. On the church's website, www.lighthouseflc.com, MaLinda Sapp was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in 2009 and was declared cancer-free early this year. However, the disease returned recently, and the church asked its members and the public to participate in a 24-hour prayer vigil.
She was an accomplished woman in and out of church. MaLinda Sapp, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., was a licensed counselor, psychologist and professor at Grand Rapids Community College. She also managed her husband's gospel career and was executive producer on many of his well-known recordings.
Marvin Sapp, also 43, is best known for his 2007 gospel-crossover hit, "Never Would Have Made It." In fact, it was MaLinda who encouraged him to write the song following the death of his father.
Prior to Marvin's successful solo career, he recorded with the 1990s gospel group, Commissioned. His current CD "Here I Am," was released in March. Recently the song "The Best In Me" was No. 1 on Billboard's gospel charts.
The Sapps, who knew each other since childhood, were married 18 years and have three children -- Marvin II, Mikaila and Madisson Sapp.
