Mrs. Josephine Sudduth

ATTN: FAMILY & FRIENDS---PLEASE NOTE THE PUBLIC VIEWING ON THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2026 FROM 5:00 P.M. TO 6:30 P.M. AT OUR FUNERAL HOME. PLEASE SCROLL DOWN PAGE TO SEE ALL SERVICE ARRANGEMENTS LISTED ***NOTE: A SERVICE IN LOVING MEMORY OF MRS. JOSEPHINE SUDDUTH WILL BE HELD FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2026, AT THE GALILEE BAPITST CHURCH. THE DOORS OF THE CHURCH WILL OPEN AT 10:00 A.M. FOR VISITATION. ***PLEASE SEE VISITATIONS & SERVICE TIMES AND LOCATIONS BELOW* ***NOTE: MASKS AND HAND SANITIZER CAN BE PROVIDED BY REQUEST. ________________________________________ ***ATTENTION TO THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO VIEW SERVICES ONLINE YOU HAVE (4) OPTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM: 1. Go to Galilee Baptist Church's website at: gbckazoo.org -Or 2. Go to YouTube and type in The Galilee Baptist Church Lives Stream -Or 3. Go to Facebook, if you have a Facebook account. after logging in, type in Galilee Baptist Church -Or- 4. Use the GBC App, Instagram or Twitter _________________________________________ The Obituary Josephine (Plair) Sudduth was born on March 9, 1933 in Starkville, Mississippi to her parents, Ezell Plair Sr. and Sarah (Wilson) Plair, and was raised on a family-run, one hundred plus acre farm in a close family alongside eight other siblings. Due to a family farm life of total self-sufficiency, youth in that generation often postponed high school graduation. As a young adult, Josephine migrated north with her siblings and husband, Brutus Caesar Sudduth, to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where she raised three daughters: Evangelist Missionary Dorothea “Ann” Sudduth-Holloway, Vivian “Nan” Berryhill, and Ottillia “Kaye” Davis. Her daughters, The Sudduth Sisters, were well-known and were often likened to The Clark Sisters, singing the gospel across multiple denominations wherever they would travel. Determined as she was, she later in life obtained her high school diploma and associate degree. Mom and Granny was godly proud of all eight of her grandchildren who were inspired by her example to also graduate from college with their own advanced degrees. Josephine worked cleaning homes and carried herself with dignity, grace, and a strong work ethic. She was intuitively gifted in mathematics and was significantly instrumental in the desegregation of the Gibson Guitar Factory. Where Black people (then referred to as “Negro”) were typically unwelcome, Josephine pursued justice by blazing a trail of social activism and civil rights throughout the community and beyond. After retirement from Gibson, Josephine continued work with the Upjohn Pharmaceutical Company. Later in life, Josephine re-invented herself again to serve with Kalamazoo Public Schools as a paraprofessional for numerous years at Milwood Junior and Loy Norrix High Schools. Josephine's skill of bringing groups of people together spawned another interest where she became an avid bowler, known as High Rollin' Jo. She would recruit equally talented bowlers into a league of highly trophy rich competitions across state and national tournaments. Josephine and former husband loved the Lord and their children deeply. Her faith was not quiet, but a steady presence that guided her life, shaped her kindness, and sustained her through every season and circumstance with full confidence in a sovereign God. She found her greatest joy in being around people, making new friends, telling jokes, creating new memorable folksy sayings, playing cards, talking on the phone, and making sure that when you came to her house, you never left hungry. She was famous for her home made bread rolls, fried chicken, egg custard pie, coconut cakes, pound cakes and banana puddings. On March 8, 2026, Josephine peacefully transitioned away in her sleep, on the exact same date as her daughter, Vivian Sudduth-Berryhill, who preceded her in death. What a joy! She was also preceded in death by seven of her eight siblings: Ezell “Junya” Plair, Jr., Celia “Sista” Carpenter, Eddie Mae “Bird” Clingman, Ernestine “Menn” Deloney, Artie C. Plair, James “Jimmie” Plair, and Freddie “Doll” Plair, Sr. She is survived by her youngest sister, Elma Gene "Sweet" Jackson, daughters Dorothea and Kaye, eight beloved grandchildren: Oujettia, Attiya, Cyndee, Chris, Jerome “Saint,” Adrienne, Jared, Ashley “Nashon,” eleven great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She both loved and was beloved by her Sister In-Laws Connie 7 Augusta Plair, Sister-Friends Olivia Calhoun, Lula "Dooley" Erve and her daughter, Janice Richardson, and caregivers Jackie Scott and Frida Boyd of Suji AFC, as well as her other special children Thomas, Wanda, Brenda and Brutus. Josephine will be remembered for her humor and bright soul, a woman whose heart was as lovingly generous as her spirit was strong. She never hesitated to share a meal, her time, or even her last dollar with those in need. She was never a stranger to anybody, and she never failed to encourage, uplift, strengthen others with limitless charity and love. In her memory, we can imagine that she stands at heaven's gate waiting and "lookin' for you with both eyes.”

Mrs. Josephine Sudduth

March 9, 1933 - March 8, 2026