MEMORIAL GATHERING CHANGED TO FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 2025 FROM 2 TO4

Perseverance With Grace

A Life Celebration of

Sister Seraphim Mungin Bey

Nationality: Moorish American Name of Her God:  Allah

Religion:  Islamism Faith:  The Faith of Mohammed

Seraphim Mungin Bey (nee James) age 95, transitioned on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 (New Year's Eve) surrounded by loving family.  She leaves to cherish her many wonderful memories, her loving husband of 78 years, William, devoted daughters Krista M. Bey (Richard Cummings), Iris Aisha Mungin Bey; beloved son, William II (Skip) Mungin Bey (Marisol); grandchildren, Maren Cummings, Mariko Cummings, Adriel ("Jay") Muniz, and Devonte ("Dee") Muniz; god-granddaughter Elisha Leonard; sister Carla Long (William Robert); special friend, Ida Conde; god-daughter Laila Chohan; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family members; friends and neighbors.

Sister Seraphim proclaimed her Nationality after being introduced to the Moorish Science Temple of America/Moorish Holy Temple of Science by her husband, Assistant Grand Sheik Bro. William Mungin Bey I. Sis. Seraphim was a loyal and faithful member as well as the Assistant Grand Sheikess and member of the prestigious Adept Chamber within the Moorish National & Divine Movement.

Sis. Seraphim was an inspiration to those she met, and she always presented herself with humility and grace as a member of the Moorish Holy Temple of Science. The MHTS was founded by Prophet Noble Drew Ali for the Uplifting of Fallen Humanity, and Sis. Seraphim enjoyed serving humanity, as she looked for the best in others, and gave others the best that was in her.

With business acumen prominent in her family, Seraphim always aspired towards business entrepreneurship; be it selling jewelry, clothing, food supplements, peanuts in the shell, or mortgages; or owning a neighborhood bodega.  She was always eager to dabble in the business environment and provide similar opportunities for others who could benefit.  Professionally, she was a medical secretary at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey for many years.

Seraphim was an avid reader of all topics — especially historical novels, nonfiction, or mystery dramas.  She always kept abreast of news events including national, international and cultural affairs.

She loved to shop and to travel—particularly to the Caribbean, Morocco, Spain, and the Poconos.  Many years ago she participated in golfing events with the Suburban Golf Club of the Oranges.

With her signature charm and class, Seraphim highly valued dignity and respect for herself and for others.  She imparted these traits and her deep wisdom to her children and to others.  She had a unique way of being thoughtful, pondering her responses before speaking.  As a young mother she was known to walk softly while carrying at times a big stick (or "spanking switch"); disciplining her children with love.

Naomi, an older sister, raised her following the passing of their parents when Seraphim was 13 years old. Seraphim lived for a while in Beverly Hills, California with another older sister, Janie, who was a housekeeper there.  Seraphim worked as an au pair and had the privilege of attending Beverly Hills High School with none other than pianist & composer Andre Previn.  She had the opportunity to taste "high-class" life when her neighborhood friend's father, who worked as a chauffeur, would drive Seraphim and her friend to school in a limousine.  It didn't matter that she was a cleaning lady's little sister.

Seraphim was a near perfect wife who, 78 years ago, married the love-at-first-sight love of her life, William, at the tender age of 17.  She quickly learned how to be an excellent wife, and the importance of opening their modest home to relatives while multi-tasking the management of a home.  Seraphim and Bill welcomed their first child, Krista early in their marriage.

As she matured, Seraphim grew into a determined individual who stayed focused on her goals —yes, she persevered and taught her children to do the same.  When she endured multiple miscarriages for nearly ten years following the birth of Iris, Seraphim and Bill did not give up, but persevered—and finally had a son, "Skip."

In later years, when her lungs gave in to bronchiolitis with pneumonia and she nearly died, Seraphim bounced back and persevered to a full recovery.

In her eighties, when she suffered from peripheral artery disease and had to endure a below-the-knee amputation, Seraphim did not give up, but rather persevered with hope for a manageable future, and humorously named her residual limb "Knee-Knee."  She then learned to walk with a prosthetic leg and became nearly fully functional in her daily activities, whizzing around wherever she wished to go, using her rollator walker.

When peripheral artery disease struck again during the pandemic and caused her remaining leg to be amputated below the knee, Seraphim again did not give up but persevered and even participated in an amputee "boot camp" at JFK Rehabilitation Institute and "graduated" with flying colors as a bi-lateral amputee after the insurance company initially denied her participation and she had almost died from a heart condition following a successful amputation.  She was placed in ICU and then hospice, but she persevered and it was not her time "to go," but to persevere and to carry on.  Of course, she had to humorously give this residual limb a name also "Knee-Mo."

When Seraphim suffered hearing loss and thought she would no longer be 'able to communicate, she did not give up, but made the best of whatever type of hearing aids she could afford—and of course, she again persevered so she could indeed enjoy audio books, movies, television shows, music, and the voices of her loved ones.

Yes, Seraphim never complained, but certainly persevered, wanting to be self-sufficient, and never wanting to be a burden to anyone, or even ask anyone to do anything for her, even at her advanced age of nearly 96 years old.

Whenever every day life activity struggles seemed overwhelming, she refused to give up, but persevered and relied on her unique sense of humor, and her amazing inner and outer strength as well as her faith and prayer.  She always encouraged others to do the same—incluing medical staff/professionals and caregivers with a joke a day from one of her many "corny" joke books— and we must not forget how mentally sharp she was –-especially solving those Wheel of Fortune puzzles on TV.

Seraphim had a giving heart of gold— always thinking of what she could give, or do for others.  You couldn't find a more endearing and devoted friend than Seraphim.  She would touch the hearts of others in such a special way that simply drew people to her.

Seraphim would wish to thank her family of tender national and international caregivers: Merline Segree (Jamaica), Vinnett Brown (Jamaica), Gilvalda ("Gil") Souza (Brazil), Patricia Tabiri (Ghana), Oleyemi Ojo (Nigeria), Pamela Crawley (Queens, NY), Titilayo ("Salina") Akunditire (Nigeria),l Akua Frimpong (Ghana), Maria Ramos (Mexico), Carmen Serrano (Colombia), Grettel Roque (Costa Rica), Kharam Simms (Jamaica,) Tesha Whooten (Union Co. NJ), Viv Sweeny, (Piscataway, NJ), and Chi Chi (Chibs) Idowu (Nigeria).

Seraphim also held in her heart, special appreciation over the years for her care and support: Dr. Howard Blau, Nurse Gloria Valerio, Dr. Heikki Uustal, Physical Therapist Sue Callahan, Prosthetist Gus Eppinger and fellow members of the JFK Rehabilitation Institute Amputee Support Group.

The family wishes to extend gratitude during this time to the Islamic Society of Central Jersey (ISCJ), Brother Afzal Saeed and Sister Fatima Ahmed of Muslim Funeral Service; Ron Jasinski of Kimble Funeral Home; Brother Paul Bey and Brother Mengste El of The Moorish Science Temple of America, Temple #10, and members of various Temples; as well as the multitude of friends, family, and acquaintances who offered words and gestures of comfort and support.

Seraphim's life lessons reflect her spirit of generosity, love—and of course "perseverance."  Her favorite farewell was, "Love you more."  Now it's time to say to her: "Love YOU more."

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations made in her honor to:

Amputee Coalition

601 Pennsylvania Ave. NW

Suite 420 South Building

Washington, DC 20004