Union Presbyterian Seminary gives thanks for the life of the Reverend Jonyrma Singleton (M.Div.’88)

Union Presbyterian Seminary gives thanks for the life of the Reverend Jonyrma Singleton (M.Div.’88), alumna, former trustee, and dear friend of the seminary.

On Friday, June 10, the Reverend Jonyrma Singleton died in Cleveland, Ohio. “With Jonyrma’s family, we give thanks for her life, for her love of the church and its ministry,” said President Brian K. Blount. “We give thanks for the gift of her experience and skill in service to Union Presbyterian Seminary.”

Singleton recently retired as associate pastor of the Church of the Covenant in Cleveland, where she had served since 1992.  She was the first woman and the first African American to be installed as a pastor of the Covenant Church.  She also served as campus minister and director of admissions at Barber-Scotia College and as the interim pastor of St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church in Cleveland.

A native of Savannah, Georgia, Singleton earned degrees from Talladega College in Alabama, Jacksonville State University in Alabama, and Union Theological Seminary (now Union Presbyterian Seminary) in 1988.

Singleton joined the Board of Trustees in 2006 and served for nine years.  During her last three years, she served as the Secretary of the Board and as a member of the Board’s Executive Committee.  In 2015, she was honored by the Black Alumni/ae Association of UPSem with its Trailblazer award.

Singleton served also the Boards of Trustees for the Montreat Conference Center, the Eliza Bryant Retirement Community, and the Cleveland/South Africa Connection.

Services for Rev. Singleton will be held Saturday, July 2 at 2 p.m. at the Church of the Covenant, 11205 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106.