MaLinda Sapp, the wife of award winning Gospel music artist and Pastor Marvin Sapp, passed away last Thursday, September 9th, in their home in Detroit losing her battle with colon cancer at the age of 43. Marvin had just landed in Houston to be part of Verizon’s “How Sweet the Gospel Celebration” when he received the news and immediately returned home. MaLinda Sapp was surrounded by family members when she passed.
Malinda battled stage 4 colon cancer in the past and appeared to be in the clear, until recently. She has been in hospice care for the last few weeks. Marvin opted to cancel most of his travel dates and committed to only being at his church on Sunday, so he could spend all his time with Malinda.
MaLinda Sapp’s funeral services are set for Thursday, September 16th at noon at Resurrection Life Church, 5100 Ivanrest SW, in Grandville. Family hour will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, followed by “homegoing services” at 12 noon at the Resurrection Life Church in Grandville, Michigan.
A mother of three, MaLinda Sapp was an accomplished woman. She was a licensed counselor, psychologist, psychology professor at Grand Rapids Community College, and manager of her husband’s gospel career. She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. And in 2008, MaLinda was named principal of the future Ellington Academy of Arts and Technology, yet the school’s opening was delayed earlier this year.
Marvin Sapp, 43, is best known for his 2007 gospel-crossover hit, “Never Would Have Made It.” In fact, it was MaLinda who encouraged him to record the song and include it on the ‘Thirsty’ album following the death of his father. His current CD “Here I Am,” was released in March. The song “The Best In Me” was No. 1 on Billboard’s gospel charts. Prior to Marvin’s successful solo career, he sang with the 1990s gospel group, Commissioned. MaLinda was the booking manager for her husband and played part in the production process of his timeless music.
Marvin Sapp and his wife were childhood friends that met in elementary school and married 13 years ago. Mrs. Sapp is survived by three children Marvin II, 16; Mikaila, 13; and Madisson, 11; as well as her mother, two sisters, two brothers, and several nieces and nephews.
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