Mrs. Martha Day Tapo

TAPO, Mrs. Martha Day - Age 94, passed away Friday, October 4, 2024, at her residence. Family hour 10:00 AM Saturday, October 12, 2024 at North Central Church Of Christ, 2001 N. Saginaw St., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM, Evangelist Robert Clark, officiating, Brother Javaris Burke, Eulogist. Interment River Rest Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the Church 10:00 AM Saturday. Mrs. Tapo 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 to receive friends from 4:00 PM-6:00 PM. Martha Day (Harper) Tapo was Born May 12, 1930, in Lebanon, TN, the seventh of ten children of Mary and Emmett Harper, Sr. Her father found work in Flint, MI during the early days of World War II and the family followed soon after the War. Martha graduated from Central High School in Flint, MI in 1948. She joined the WAC Women’s Army Corps, soon thereafter. She was in the first company of the WACs and is featured in the Military Women’s Memorial in Washington D.C. After the military she worked in nursing at the Neonatal Department of Hurley Hospital until she retired 17 years later. She met Clifton Tapo, Jr. at Fort Ord in California while they both were serving in the military. They married June 11, 1950. Their union was blessed with three beautiful children Celestian, Cherryl and Byron. She accepted Christ and was baptized at a young age into the Church of Christ. Martha enjoyed supporting the church where she had a rich history including being one of the founding members of the congregation of North Central Church of Christ. She was an active member of the congregation for over 80 years. Martha and Clifton were diligent and devoted caregivers to their daughter Celestian Timmons and their granddaughter Angela Timmons until each of them passed in 1979 and 1985 respectively. Martha enjoyed game shows, playing games with family and crossword puzzles. She also had many hobbies over the years such as gardening, crocheting and canning. She and her husband enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends. Martha had a competitive spirit and a quick wit. She enjoyed beating her children and grandchildren at UNO and Scrabble. She passed away Friday, October 4th, at 7:30pm at her home surrounded by family. She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years Clifton P. Tapo Jr, her daughters Celestian Timmons and Cherryl Kagen, her granddaughter Angela Timmons and her Grandson Byron Tapo Jr. She leaves to cherish her memory: Her son Byron (Sherri) Tapo, Sr., Son-in-law Steve Kagen, grandchildren Chester (Devan) Green, Sheena (Rashad) Simmons, great grandchildren: Anquinisha, D’Angelo, Myiles, Josiah, Marrieo, Havana, Daniel and Gabriel, niece Patricia Gibson, grand niece Patrice Gibson, and a host of other nieces, nephews, great great grandchildren; relatives and friends. Mrs. Tapo was Honorably Discharged from the United States Army.

Mrs. Martha Day Tapo

May 12, 1930 - October 4, 2024