Obituary of La'Toya Chariese Joplin

LaToya Chariese Joplin was born June 4, 1990, to David E. Joplin and Karla K. Swift in Community Hospital in Battle Creek, Michigan, and raised by Timothy L. Woodson & Jeanna J. Gordon, formerly Jeanna J. Woodson.

LaToya attended both Battle Creek and Grand Rapids public school systems, graduating in 2013 from Beckwith Educational School, Grand Rapids. She later attended Empire Cosmetology School, training as a Beautician.

She loved music, singing with several church and school choirs from the age of four years old, and playing the drums, bongos, and clarinet. LaToya enjoyed spending most of her time with her family, especially her twin sister LaTiesha. The twins were nicknamed Ernestine and Augustine by their father, Tim Woodson.

LaToya in turn nicknamed her dad, Tim, “Big Face” and called him that all her life. LaToya never met a stranger. Once you encountered her, her contagious smile and pleasant spirit would instantly make you feel like you’ve been reacquainted with a long-time friend. LaToya was employed as a manager at Mcdonald's and Burger King, and Spectrum Health Systems.

LaToya accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age as a member of Progressive Saints Christian Fellowship in Battle Creek, Michigan under the leadership of her parents Pastor Tim & Jeanna.

LaToya Chariese Joplin departed this life on Friday, January 6, 2023, at 5:59 PM at Mercy Health Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She is proceeded in death by her biological father David E. Joplin, Grandmothers
Bettie Jean Joplin, Marjorie Woodson, Helen Swift, Great Grandmother Vivian Carson, Great Great Grandmother Savannah Ciecila May Bass, Grandfathers Luke Woodson, Jr. Gary Clark, Great Grandfather Elder
Leroy Joplin and Great Grandmother Gertrude Joplin, Doris E. Joplin, and Uncle Jerry Joplin.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her parents Pastor Tim Woodson and Jeanna J. Gordon, (Stepfather Stafford Gordon), maternal mother Karla Swift, her beloved twin sister LaTiesha Joplin, sisters Dareekia Swift,
Nikki Joplin, Precious Swift, Jerrica Joplin, Juanita Joplin, Donyae Smith, and LaShandria Duren, and brothers David E. Joplin II and DeVonte Horton. God sisters Deonna Crawford, and Tonya Robinson, God brothers Avaris Snead and Michael G. Jackson, Aunts Sandra Joplin, and Teresa Stanley, and LaTaska Pole, Raquel Bell, Priscilla Robinson, Rachel Hicks, Shirley Hicks, and Heather Robbins, and Uncle Jon Rutter, a special cousin Timothy D.
Woodson, special nephew Nicholas, and niece Nakiyah. And a host of cousins and extended family.

Don’t think me as gone away
My journey’s just begun,
Life holds so many facets
This earth is only one.
Just think me as resting
From the sorrows and the tears
In a place of warmth and comfort
Where there are no days and years.
Think how I must be wishing
That we could know today
How nothing but our sadness
Can really pass away.
And think of me as living
In the hearts of those I touched
For nothing loved is ever lost
And I was loved so much.

La'Toya's favorite scripture was psalm 100 she and her Twin Sister La'Tiesha share this in common as well.