Ms. Renetha Debora Rumph

RUMPH, Ms. Renetha D., - Age 67, passed away Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at McLaren-Flint. Family Hour 10:00 AM Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Bethel United Methodist Church, 1309 N. Ballenger Hwy., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM, Pastor Naylo Hopkins, Host Pastor, Rev. Dr. Tara Sutton, officiating. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the Church 10:00 AM Saturday. Ms. Rumph 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. Renetha was affectionately known as Renni, Ren & Aunt Boo-Boo by her nieces, nephews, great- nieces & great-nephews. Making her grand entrance into this world on December 18, 1955, Renetha Debora was the first-born daughter to Jefferson & Jeffalone Brantley Rumph, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. This was also the place where she began her Christian journey at the First Community Church, Tuscaloosa, Alabama under the leadership of Reverend C. J. L. Rumph, Sr. (her grandfather). The family moved to Flint, Michigan from Tuscaloosa, Alabama in 1964 when Renetha was 9 years old. They joined Bethel United Methodist Church under the pastoral leadership of Reverend Donald Morris. Renetha was very involved in various youth activities at the church, including the Joy Choir, a spirit of service that she carried into adult activities. She worked with the church Education Department and the after school Tutoring Team. During her leadership as President of Bethel’s United Methodist Women, succeeding her mother in that position, the following activities were initiated: the Annual Bethel’s Ladies Hat Luncheon, Thanksgiving Baskets Give-Away, the Angel Tree Ministry, and the sick and shut-in meals. Her sister Connie, stepping into Renetha’s shoes, has continued these programs forward to this day. She completed her high school education at Northwestern High School, Class of 1973, in Flint, Michigan. While at Northwestern, she played tuba in the school’s marching band. Upon graduation, Renetha completed one year of college at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois before completing her undergraduate education at Alcorn State University, Lorman, Mississippi. She received a Bachelor of Arts in English and Journalism. Renetha obtained Master’s degrees from Eastern Michigan University and University of Michigan at Flint. During her college years, Renetha continued her love of music by marching with the Alcorn “Sounds of Dyn-O-mite”. The classy, sophisticated pink and green ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, got Renetha’s attention. Becoming an essential part of Renetha’s college journey, on December 5, 1975, Renetha became a member of Gamma Phi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. at Alcorn State University. She remained close to her beloved sorority throughout the years by attending Regional and National Conventions. She was a member of Sigma Phi Omega Chapter in Gary, Indiana, and Zeta Beta Omega Chapter in Flint, Michigan. Renetha accepted the goals, spiritual morals, values, and aspirations her parents set for her and each of her siblings: Roesha, Reid, Damita Jo, Jama, Lord, and Connie. Renetha Rumph was a dedicated and faithful member of Alcorn State University Flint / Saginaw Alumni Chapter. She served as Fundraising chairperson as well as on other committees. She held the offices of Secretary, Vice President, and President. She was a devoted member and she loved to cook. Often, she shared her favorite dishes at the annual picnics. She was also a member of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Incorporated, Gamma Delta Chapter, (a teacher’s sorority) where she held offices on the Regional and National level. She attended conferences and participated on several committees. She held the office of Gamma Delta’s President and Vice President. She was a faithful member for many years. Ms. Rumph D Rumph began her teaching career with Flint Community Schools in 1978 at Zimmerman Jr. High, and Bryant Jr. High. She left Flint in 1983 to work for Wiley College in Marshall, Texas as an Admissions Counselor/Recruiter. While in Marshall, she served on the Hotel Restaurant Placement Advisory Board. For a year, Renetha taught at the Liberty Eylau Independent School District in Texarkana, TX. She taught 11th Grade English Language Arts (ELA) classes. Saying yes to an invitation from her “second mom”, Mary Hardaway Bolling to relocate, Renetha moved to Gary, Indiana. Renetha resided with Mom Bolling until she established herself and began teaching for the Gary Community School Corporation. She spent four years at Beckman Middle School teaching 7th and 8th Grade ELA. She was a Team Leader and Department Chair. Renetha was in Gary from 1988 until 1993 before returning home to Flint. She began working for the Flint Community Schools as a teacher with Schools of Choice (Alternate High School). She taught Grades 9 to 12 English and Creative Writing. She was a United Flint Teachers (UFT) Representative Assembly. It would be four years before transferring to Northern High School. Renetha joined the faculty at Northern teaching ELA classes in grades 9 to 12. She taught Advanced Composition, Techniques of Writing, Literature of the Minorities, and African American Literature. She continued to serve the teachers of Flint as UFT Head Building Representative and as a Union Contract Negotiator. Ms Rumph was the Professional Development Chair, ELA Department Chair, Student Council Advisor and Chair of the Brotherhood Heritage Month. She would bring her famous “Pickled Pigs Feet” (with hot sauce, of course) and “Mississippi Caviar” for the potluck. She insisted that her students received the education they deserved, so they would have the best opportunity at success. The students at Northern missed her dearly when she retired in 2011. Renetha was a loving, caring, and generous person, and a devoted daughter to her parents. She spent the last year dedicating her life to assisting her mother. Preceding her in going home, her parents Jefferson Rumph and Jeffalone Rumph Vassal; siblings Jama Baltrip, two God given siblings, Damita Jo Bradley & Reid Turner; nephew, Trent Tooson; her grandparents Reverend & Mrs. Rumph and Lindsey & Teretha Brantley. Cherishing her memory, siblings: Roesha (Aubrey), Lord (Madeline), and Constantia. brother-in-law, Arthur, Jr., nieces & nephews; Shelitria (Jeramis), (whom she helped to raise), Gibbon “Joee” (Denisha), Stephanie (Randy), Channa, all of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Brett, Ecuador, Mexico, Arthur, III (Safiya), Ashton (Daniel), Ken, Houston Texas, Cameron and Chania, both of Flint, Michigan; great nieces and nephews; Jordyn, Jayden, Tayler, Morgan, Keyanna, Madison, Mason, Makai, Jasmyn, & Micah; aunts & uncles, Delma Draine, Sylvia Brantley, both of Saginaw, Michigan Bernard “Jack” Brantley; god-parents; Mr. & Mrs. Cleo & Romelia Blackburn, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, God given god mother, Mother Myrna Kirkland, Flint, Michigan; god children Cameo (Darrell) Hill, Mekhi Andrews both of Flint, Michigan, Cheron J. Reed, Indianapolis, Indiana; Very Special Sister/Friend, Attorney Barbara Bolling-Williams (Terence), Gary, Indiana, & Childhood Friend, Georgina Johnson, Indianapolis, Indiana, devoted cousin Sherry (Albert) Hannah, Saginaw, Michigan numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

Ms. Renetha Debora Rumph

December 18, 1955 - April 11, 2023