Obituary of Bettie Jean Joplin

Ms. Bettie Jean Joplin was born May 15, 1943, to Max Karsh and Vivian Carson in St. Louis, Missouri at Homer G. Phillips Hospital. Bettie Jean was raised in Benton Harbor, Michigan. She gave her life to Christ at an early age, at the Second Baptist Church in South Haven, Michigan under the leadership of her grandparents, the Reverend Robert & First Lady Cecilia Savannah May Bass. Bettie Jean later moved to Battle Creek, Michigan, and united with the First Pentecostal Church of God in Christ where her in-laws Elder Leroy Joplin & Gertrude Joplin served as Pastor and First Lady. Shortly after joining the church, she became the director of the church choir and served in that capacity for many years. She attended South Eastern Middle School and Battle Creek Central High. She sang with various community choirs and chorales as an operatic lyric soprano. Bettie Jean could sing so high and precise, that it was told that chandeliers would vibrate from the bright timbre of her voice. It was through music that she met and married local saxophonist Mr. Doris Edward Joplin at the age of 15 years old and gave birth to four beautiful children. Sandra, Jerry, David, and Jeanna. She later married Mr. Clyde Bolden and Mr. Gary Clark, all three deceased. Bettie Jean was a dedicated member of the Macedonia Baptist Church, Progressive Saints Christian Fellowship – Battle Creek, and The Well Church & Life Development Center in Grand Rapids. Bettie Jean was hard-working, having successful careers for Hoffman Brothers Construction where she was the first black female heavy equipment operator in the state of Michigan. In this position, she paved the parking lot of the Nippondenso Automotive Manufacturing Corporation. She retired as a Psychiatric Nurse at the V.A. Medical Hospital in Battle Creek. Bettie Jean enjoyed cooking and catering for churches and community events throughout Michigan. She enjoyed fishing, dancing, singing, family gatherings, caring for veterans, and senior citizens. She was also a loving foster parent for several children within the city of Battle Creek and surrounding areas. Ms. Bettie Jean Joplin departed this life on Sunday, April 26, 2020, at 4:30 AM at Spectrum Blodgett Select Acute Caring Facility. She is survived by daughters Sandra F. Joplin-Crump of Stockbridge, GA, Jeanna J. Joplin, and Teresa L. Stanley both of Grand Rapids, MI. Son, Thomas Triggs-Swift of Battle Creek, MI. Son-In-Law Zaid Crump, Son-In-Law Emeritus Pastor Tim Woodson, Grand Rapids, MI, Daughter-In-Law Emeritus Ed’Dena Joplin, Carla Swift, Grandchildren; Tybetta Richardson, BrieAnne Richardson of Cartersville, GA, Jay Neal Bell II and Julian Bell of Jonesboro, GA, Candice Joplin, Brittany Joplin, Tiffany Joplin, Dareekia Swift, Nikki Joplin, David Joplin II; all of Battle Creek, MI, Precious Swift of White Cloud, MI, LaTiesha Joplin, LaToya Joplin both of Grand Rapids, MI, Jerrica Joplin of Battle Creek, MI, Juanita Joplin of Saginaw, MI, Donyae Smith of Grand Rapids, MI. Telicia Brown, Michael Brown, Cinnamon Brown, Celina Brown all of Battle Creek, MI. An Aunt, Dorothy Ellis, Special nieces Dinah Deck, Terrie Wilder, Mia Robinson, Evette Fisher, Tina Stimoff; Special nephews Ray Deck, Rodney & Lamar Fisher, Corey Stimoff, Quincy & Robert Wade, Darryl, Stevie, and Billy. Best friends, Maxine Lee, Dany Fisher, Arlene Kennedy, and Marjorie Woodson. A host of great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, cousins, and family who she loved so much. She was preceded in death by her father Max Karsh, mother Vivian Carson, Step Father Jessie Ellis, Grandparents Robert & Cecilia Savanah May Bass, Sons Jerry, and David Joplin, Husband Gary Clark, sister-in-law Dorice “Dorie” Reamey, uncle Johnny Ellis, and very close friends Julious McLaurine, Kathy Wilder, Laverne Stimoff, Martha Mae Fisher, Jackie Wade, and Linda & Ray Deck. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them." Revelations 14:33