Theresa Sturdivant

Theresa passed Tuesday, at Methodist Hospital Northlake with her loving family at her side.

Theresa Moses Sturdivant was born in New Edition (East Chicago), Indiana on June 14, 1942 to Thomas and Lucy Moses. She was the third of nine children. She graduated from East Chicago Roosevelt High School in 1960. She earned an Associate’s Degree in Science from Long Beach City College, becoming a nurse in 1972. During Theresa’s position as a student nursing assistant, she met Dorothy Chase, a Registered Nurse. Mrs. Chase was a single mother with two sons but she found it in her heart to become her benefactor, purchasing Theresa’s books and uniforms. Mrs. Chase played an integral role in changing her life and Theresa considered her one of her dearest friends. Theresa often shared that her first life altering testimonies were knowing Mrs. Chase and a prayer for her nursing class. Before their final exams, her classmates asked her “What did the Lord say Sturdy?” to which she replied “72 for 72!” For first time in the school’s history all 72 students were graduates of the Class of 1972! After graduating nursing school, Theresa packed up her ‘little people”, her pet name for her brood of four, drove across the country from Long Beach, CA to Gary, IN, where she was a dedicated and professional registered nurse for over 40 years! Theresa served as an Intensive Care, Cardiac Care, IV Team, and Oncology nurse at St. Mary’s, St. Catherine’s and Community Hospitals. She was also the staff RN at Green’s Nursing Home and Geriatric Center. Theresa was a woman of many layers. She had many loves and hobbies. First and foremost she LOVED JESUS! He filled her thoughts, prayers and her speech. She also loved her ‘little people’ and made sure that when they left HER nest they were well equipped to have successful lives…ensuring no boomerangs! Theresa excelled at sewing, knitting and crocheting and she could design whatever she envisioned. She really loved to travel! Her travels took her to Asia, Europe, Israel, South America, the Caribbean and all over America….wherever her ‘people’ were. She was an avid gardener and DYI’er, having remodeled her fixer upper and making it into her own little castle. She taught Sunday School and homemaking classes. Theresa also loved to sing, especially enjoying gospel music, that from the 60’s and Shirley Caesar. Theresa was actually an introvert by nature but when God cracked the shell, she was free, so much so she even ran for Mayor of the City of Gary! Theresa passed from this life to eternity on November 28, 2023 after a lengthy illness. She declared she was ready to go home, she did. She is proceeded in death by her parents, Thomas and Lucy Moses; and her younger brother Quintin Moses. Celebrating her life as her legacy, her ‘little people”: Keenan (Jaqueline Theresa, Keenan Jr. and Keenan Moses; Tatianna, Tyisha, Cassandra and Myliah Theresa); Lonny (Quortney and Ali; Damiayah; and ‘adopted’ son James); Michele and Michael (Michael and Aisha; Michael, Aneesha and Kierra, Nairobi, Asia, Yahlir and India; Ethan and Bella); and Lorne and Sonje (Sydnee and Seth). Her siblings: Yvonne Allison, Donald (Barbara) Moses, Carol Ann Pinkins, Arnetta Alston, Laveda Gibson, Sherry (Robert-deceased) Miller, and Duane (Leslie) Moses and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. A special acknowledgement of Mrs. Carla Smith, her caretaker and dear friend, as well as her New Mt. Sinai Baptist Church family.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, December 9, 2023 from 11am to 1pm at our Hammond location, 4404 Cameron Ave.