Irma P. Sumpter

IRMA P. SUMPTER, 82; Passed Aug. 21, 2009; Beloved mother of Lonnie Minter, Mark Hill , Timothy Hill and Kimberly Hill - Henderson; cherished sister of Dorothy Swain; Leaves other relatives and friends. SERVICES SATURDAY, AUG. 29TH; WAKE: 9:00 AM, funeral 9:30 am at PROGRESSIVE BAPTIST CHURCH, 2366 EAST 66 STREET. Interment in Cleveland memorial gardens. Irma Pauline Sumpter was born on July 5, 1927 to the late Nancy and Samuel Walters. She was the second eldest of six children born to this union. Educated in the Cleveland Public School System, Irma was proud to be an alumnus of Central High School. As a matter of fact, during her youth she was a track star known as one of the fastest runners in both school and in the neighborhood. Irma was baptized at Mount Gilliam Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio and accepted Jesus Christ at an early age. She later joined Progressive Evangelistic Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorship of Reverend Earnest Stewart. She was a faithful member of Progressive and only stopped attending services when her health declined. She is remembered by many church members for the joyful way she would dance down the aisle on Sundays with her cane. She was always happy to be in the House of God - one more time. Irma was employed with Euclid Meridia Hospital for twenty-four years in a management position. She earned both the respect and love of both her co-workers and the patients. Exhibiting her entrepreneur skills as a young woman, Irma became a business owner as a distributor of magazines and cosmetics. She taught and inspired her children to be hard workers. She was a loving and wise matriarch. The joy and focus of her life was her family. Irma was preceded in death by her husbands; sons, Laverne (Boonie) and Reginald; brothers, Samuel and Daniel and sisters, Esther and Nancy. Left to cherish loving memories of her life are her children, Lonnie (Sharon Minter), Mark, Timothy (Vanessa), Kimberly (Rogers); stepchildren, Maurice (Brenda), Paul (Gloria), Charlene, Bernadette and Joyce, all of Cleveland, Ohio; grandchildren, Michael, Lonette, Maria, Marsha, Christopher, Demario, Jasmine, William, Kahlil and Kamus; Seven great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Irma was called home to be with the Lord on August 21, 2009 at 7:05 p.m. She will truly be missed, but never forgotten in our hearts.