Mrs. Bertha JoAnn Shumpert

SHUMPERT, Mrs. Bertha - Age 73, passed away Monday, February 26, 2024, at her residence. Family hour 10:00 AM Saturday, March 9, 2024, at New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church, 1035 E. Carpenter Rd., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM Apostle James Glenn, officiating, Pastor Alfred L. Harris, Jr., Host Pastor. Interment River Rest Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:00 AM Saturday. Mrs. Shumpert will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Friday with family present from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM to receive friends. Bertha JoAnn Key entered the world on Sunday October 8th 1950, a beloved daughter to Lawson and Annie Marie Key. She was blessed to grow up in a large musically gifted strong Christian family. She was taught to seek, accept and love Jesus Christ at an early age. As a young child, she discovered a love for various types of music and developed a love of singing. She shared a great bond with her siblings, continuing in traditions set by their mother of singing and cooking. Bertha attended Flint Community Schools graduating from Flint Northern High School. Early in life, she met and married the love of her life Maurice Shumpert in 1966. To this union were born four children Gina, Shelonda, Maurice Jr. and Darius. Together they enjoyed many adventures, making family traditions of their own; which included vacationing together, Sunday dinners and backyard BBQ’s. Bertha took care of her family in the home. However, she worked outside of her home in various seasons of her life. Some of her places of employment included; Citizens Bank in the 70’s, driving School Bus for Flint Community Schools and working for Turning Point Recovery Center. Bertha loved to travel (especially cruising). She would often say “My favorite part of “cruising” is sitting on my balcony early in the morning, spending time with The Lord”. She also loved to fish, cook, watch old movies and sew. She was very proud of the quilt she made at St. Luke Center. She had an opportunity to display it at the Flint Public Library last fall. Bertha was a member of Center of Attraction Outreach in Saginaw MI where she served faithfully on the Praise and Worship Team. She was a woman of strong faith and a student of the Word of God. She became widowed in 1996. After which, Bertha began her intense pursuit of the things of God. She became a member of Agape Faith Fellowship in Birch Run, MI for 14+ years. She attended Agape Faith Bible Training Center for 3 years where she graduated in the class of 1999. This class was named “Mighty Men and Women of Valor.” Bertha was a praise and worshipper who understood her assignment of ministering in song and enjoyed sharing her gift. She has often said, “I’d rather sing about it than talk about it.” She was never intimidated by others with greater singing skills because she knew she had the Greater One (Jesus) in her and when she opened her mouth to sing, He (The Holy Spirit) would show up every time! Bertha had an opportunity to share her gift professionally by participating in a recording with the University of Michigan Flint Gospel Choir; where she was the lead soloist on the “Colorblind” CD track# 14 “I Know He Can”. Bertha JoAnn Shumpert leaves to cherish and celebrate her memory: two daughters, Gina (James) Moton Jr. and Shelonda Pray (Demetrius); two sons, Maurice (Lisa) Shumpert Jr. all of Flint, MI, Darius Shumpert Sr. (Noemi) of Holland, MI; Ten grandchildren, Donald Pray (Marissa) of Bay City, MI, Gabrielle (Joshua) Thomas of Farmington Hills, MI, Jasmine Moton, Michael Dixon, Laila Shumpert, Maurice Shumpert III All of Flint, MI, Lazerica Shumpert, Ahlonnda Shumpert, Darius Shumpert Jr., Darius Shumpert III All of Saginaw, MI; three great-grandchildren, Zaniyah Mathis of Saginaw, MI, Noah Thomas and Nala Thomas of Farmington Hills, MI; five sisters, Vera Styles, Camille Key, Barbara Key, all of Flint, MI, Lenoir (Willie) Owens of Memphis, TN, Charlotte Jones of Saginaw, MI; six brothers, Glen (Bettie) Key, Ronald Key, Arthur Key and James Key All of Flint, MI, Willie (Earnestine) Key of Memphis, TN, James Lee Key of Red Banks, MS; sisters-in-love, Romel Key of Grand Blanc, MI, Debra Watkins, Lerwonia Summers, Sayvil (Christopher) Crain, Sabrial Towns, Elitha Shumpert and Lissa Dillard All of Flint, MI; brother-in-love, Dennis Barker; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends including special friends, Joyce Jamerson, Earnestine Burnette, Lenny & Gwen Hemphill, Pastors Michael & Gwendolyn Washington and Debra Peters, Sister Carol and The St. Luke Center Sewing Group, the Entire OPG/OPB Family and Center of Attraction Outreach Family. Bertha was preceded in death by her husband of 30 Years, Rev. Maurice Shumpert Sr.; parents, Lawson and Annie Marie Key; sisters, Margret Robinson Taylor, Pearlie Mae Jones, Catherine Key O’Neal, Pastor Pamela Lockhart; Brothers: Clarence Key Sr., John Lee Key The Family would like to express special thanks to Apostle James Glenn and the Center of Attraction Outreach Church Family, Pastor Alfred & Cimone Harris and the New Jerusalem Full Gospel Church Family, the staff of Compassus Hospice Care and the staff of Lawrence E Moon Funeral Home.

Mrs. Bertha JoAnn Shumpert

October 8, 1950 - February 26, 2024