Prominent gospel music artist Marvin Sapp recently lost his wife, MaLinda Sapp, to colon cancer. The couple had been married for 15 years and they had three children. MaLinda was an administrative pastor at the church, Lighthouse Full Life Center, that they ran together in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Before she died, MaLinda was a college professor and licensed professional counselor. The following statement was issued by 92.1 Praise Houston about her death: Tweet
"It's with our deepest sympathy that we inform you that Pastor Marvin Sapp's wife MaLinda Sapp has passed on today after battling colon cancer. It was confirmed on the Lonnie Williams show today. An official press release has not been issued yet but more details will be coming on the Yolanda Adams Morning show tomorrow morning! Earlier this year, Marvin Sapp was testifying of how his wife, MaLinda, was given a clean bill of health by doctors after being diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer in 2009. But then, those health concerns resurfaced and Marvin Sapp requested intense, around-the-clock prayer."
Marvin Sapp's song, 'Never Would Have Made It' reached number 14 on the Billboard charts for R&B/hip-hop songs. He recorded with the group Commissioned in the 1990s before starting a solo career. The couple's three children are Marvin II, Mikaila and Madisson.
To protect yourself and loved ones from colon cancer, it is recommended that African Americans start getting screened for it at the age of 45. Colon cancer is preventable in many cases, so with early detection, you can fight the disease. To read more about the process, go here.
02-Sep-10 - Hip-hop zillionaire 50 Cent, who is no stranger to drug arrest, offered fellow rapper T.I. and his wife, Tameka "Tiny" Cottle, some advice on how to best deal with the recent felony charge that they're facing for possession of a controlled substance.
02-Sep-10 - Hip-hop zillionaire 50 Cent, who is no stranger to drug arrest, offered fellow rapper T.I. and his wife, Tameka "Tiny" Cottle, some advice on how to best deal with the recent felony charge that they're facing for possession of a controlled substance.
02-Sep-10 - Iconic rapper T.I., 29, and his new bride, Tameka Cottle, 35, a TV reality star, were arrested Wednesday night in West Hollywood and booked on felony possession of a controlled substance charge.
31-Aug-10 - The eldest of John McCain's four children, Meghan has now publicly revealed her feelings about Sarah Palin in her new book, 'Dirty Sexy Politics.'
27-Aug-10 - Alveda King's decision to join forces with Fox News host Glenn Beck during his bogus March on Washington is likely one of the most shocking and extraordinary political events in recent months.
25-Aug-10 - According to TMZ, superstar producer Timbaland, whose real name is Timothy Zachery Mosley, was the subject of a manhunt on Tuesday, after his family believed he was in danger of pulling a Fantasia and committing suicide.
24-Aug-10 - Aid workers in the Congo reported that 200 women and baby boys were gang raped over a four-day period not far from a United Nation's peacekeepers base near a mining district.
23-Aug-10 - Brenda Chaney, a nursing assistant, was not allowed to help the woman up, primarily because she'd left instructions stating that only white aid workers should be able to work with her.
23-Aug-10 - The Associated Press is reporting that the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is considering hiring translators to help agents understand the language of drug dealers.
i am going to keep pastor Marvin Sapp and his family in my prayers because it is hard to lose someone that u love so much.I hope that he does not let this loss trouble his purpose because his wife would want him to keep his ministry alive and keep God in his heart.I Love you Marvin and stay strong!!!!
My heart and prayers goes out to the Sapp family...It's never ever easy loosing someone you love and care for...I pray Malinda's soul rests forever in the bosom of Jesus Christ.
By: Joe & Cynthia Roberson Family, Milwaukee, WI on 9/09/2010 8:28PM
Highest Ranked
Our prayers goes out to Pastor Marvin Sapp and family, we pray that God will strengthen your as well as the children. It is not easy losing a love one, especially to colon cancer. Be strong my brother, God bless you;
May God Bless Pastor Sapp and his family at this difficult time. Hopefully he and his family will remember and lend on the word which states " to be absent from the body is to be in the presences of the Lord. Dr. Malinda Sapp will no longer have to worry about pain and suffering for she is in Heaven with a new body free of disease. Lastly, the Sapp family should look to the hills for that is where they will draw their strength from and trust/believe that their love of God will reunite them again with their love one. God Bless
My heart truly hurts for Rev Sapp and his family. We feel like we know him personally, through his songs and because he has shared so much of himself and his pains and successes with his fans. So it feels like we have lost a member of our own family.
It is times like these that our faith is tested, even children of God, such as Rev Sapp; but I pray that this same faith sustains him during this time.
I saw an interview w/ them on 'KoKo Brother's Sunday morning show, and you could just tell by looking at them and listening to them, that they were in love. She was his rock, and he loved her.
I pray his strength, not only for himself but for his kids. Jesus, be a fence!
my prayers are with you and your family right know especially those precious babies, no one has the right words to say right now, God knows your heart you just lost possibly your soul mate your rib is missing hold on too the memories of her always you'll laugh again, i too was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2009 I will live i shall not die,God has not given me a spirit of fear but of power,love and a sound mind it's not time for me yet but when he takes me i'm out of here to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
My prayers go out to the Sapp family and church family. It is always hard to lose a member of your family. Even though we loved her God loved her more & didn't allow her to suffer anymore than she did.(If she did)It's times like these we must stand on Matt 22:34-40 "To Love God with all your heart, mind and soul and to Love your neighbor as yourself." We have no more time to waste on things that aren't building up the Kingdom of God through the Body of Christ. We must live everyday walking by faith, leaning on God's ever loving arms and loving each other and helping one another. Building up instead of tearing down. If we could just come together on one accord....R.I.P. First Lady Malinda. Thank you for being you and living a Purpose Driven Life for Jesus Christ. Pastor Marvin Sapp God has not forgotten you. He sees your tears...Be stong family and be encouraged knowing that we also must complete our Purpose and assignment given to us by God. Keep Going...We will meet our loves again on the other side. Thank you Jesus and to God be the Glory.
BlackVoices History Quest: Augusta, Georgia
Pastor Poised To Be First Black To Lead Southern Baptists
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Actionresident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce's commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here. 
Comments: (65)
Add a comment
By: Aurielle on 9/09/2010 6:23PM
i am going to keep pastor Marvin Sapp and his family in my prayers because it is hard to lose someone that u love so much.I hope that he does not let this loss trouble his purpose because his wife would want him to keep his ministry alive and keep God in his heart.I Love you Marvin and stay strong!!!!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Mary on 9/09/2010 6:32PM
My heart and prayers goes out to the Sapp family...It's never ever easy loosing someone you love and care for...I pray Malinda's soul rests forever in the bosom of Jesus Christ.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Joe & Cynthia Roberson Family, Milwaukee, WI on 9/09/2010 8:28PM
Our prayers goes out to Pastor Marvin Sapp and family, we pray that God will strengthen your as well as the children. It is not easy losing a love one, especially to colon cancer. Be strong my brother, God bless you;
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Renee' on 9/09/2010 9:28PM
Prayers go out to the family and friends of this lovely woman.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: PaMela on 9/09/2010 9:50PM
My prayers are with the Sapp family for strength during this time of loss. God will give you strength, courage, endurance and guidance.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Iris Rodriguez on 9/10/2010 6:46PM
May God Bless Pastor Sapp and his family at this difficult time. Hopefully he and his family will remember and lend on the word which states " to be absent from the body is to be in the presences of the Lord. Dr. Malinda Sapp will no longer have to worry about pain and suffering for she is in Heaven with a new body free of disease. Lastly, the Sapp family should look to the hills for that is where they will draw their strength from and trust/believe that their love of God will reunite them again with their love one.
God Bless
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Angela on 9/09/2010 10:32PM
Earth has no sorrows that Heaven cannot heal. May God bless you & your family doing this time of bereavement. May her soul rest in the hands of God.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Justifyed on 9/10/2010 1:40AM
My heart truly hurts for Rev Sapp and his family. We feel like we know him personally, through his songs and because he has shared so much of himself and his pains and successes with his fans. So it feels like we have lost a member of our own family.
It is times like these that our faith is tested, even children of God, such as Rev Sapp; but I pray that this same faith sustains him during this time.
I saw an interview w/ them on 'KoKo Brother's Sunday morning show, and you could just tell by looking at them and listening to them, that they were in love. She was his rock, and he loved her.
I pray his strength, not only for himself but for his kids. Jesus, be a fence!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: sarah on 9/10/2010 6:00AM
my prayers are with you and your family right know especially those precious babies, no one has the right words to say right now, God knows your heart you just lost possibly your soul mate your rib is missing hold on too the memories of her always you'll laugh again, i too was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2009 I will live i shall not die,God has not given me a spirit of fear but of power,love and a sound mind it's not time for me yet but when he takes me i'm out of here to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Lisa on 9/10/2010 7:10AM
My prayers go out to the Sapp family and church family. It is always hard to lose a member of your family. Even though we loved her God loved her more & didn't allow her to suffer anymore than she did.(If she did)It's times like these we must stand on Matt 22:34-40 "To Love God with all your heart, mind and soul and to Love your neighbor as yourself." We have no more time to waste on things that aren't building up the Kingdom of God through the Body of Christ. We must live everyday walking by faith, leaning on God's ever loving arms and loving each other and helping one another. Building up instead of tearing down. If we could just come together on one accord....R.I.P. First Lady Malinda. Thank you for being you and living a Purpose Driven Life for Jesus Christ. Pastor Marvin Sapp God has not forgotten you. He sees your tears...Be stong family and be encouraged knowing that we also must complete our Purpose and assignment given to us by God. Keep Going...We will meet our loves again on the other side. Thank you Jesus and to God be the Glory.
Reply to this Comment | Report This