Cynthia Faye Northorp

Ms. Cynthia Faye Northorp was born the youngest of three children to Otis and Thelma Skipwith Northorp on December 9, 1960. Her father preceded her in death.  

She is a product of the Catholic school system, graduating from St. Francis of Assisi grade school and John Carroll Catholic High School. She furthered her education at the University of Alabama, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Speech and Language Pathology.  She later received her Master’s Degree from UAB and her Doctor of Education from Samford University.  

Cynthia retired from the Birmingham Board of Education with over thirty-one years of service, where she made an incredible impact on the students in the City of Birmingham.  In her early teaching career, she taught in Cordele, GA and Dothan, AL with fond memories and everlasting friends.  

Cynthia was a devoted member of New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Bessemer where she was member of the choir. She used her beautiful voice to the glory of God. She will truly be missed at rehearsal because of her wit and personality.  Cynthia was also a Sunday school teacher, the youth director for many years, and she led the Thanksgiving basket drive for families in need of food for over a dozen years.  

Cynthia leaves cherished memories and an unconditional loving bond with her devoted son, Bradley McCarter Northorp; loving mother, Thelma Skipwith Northorp; devoted brother, Vincent Northorp (Brenda); loving sister, Yolanda N. Sullivan (Ronald); Aunt, Mattie Lee Skipwith-Williams, Tuscaloosa, AL; Uncle, Otis Skipwith, Brighton, AL and Aunt, Artimese Northorp Cowan (Norris), Denver, CO, three awesome Nephews, Ryan Finley, Michael Northorp and Samuel Sullivan.  Cynthia’s deep abiding relationships included three special people whose families are so intertwined they became her family: Myra Wilson, Michelle McAlpine and Jeffery Knox.  Her extended family included a host of loving aunts, uncles and cousins from ancestry families: Northorp, McCarter, Skipwith, and Large.  During her protracted illness, two registered nurses became her constant support team members - her devoted cousin like a brother, Godfrey Jones, Jr and friend like a sister, Debra McGuire.  

Her church family, New Jerusalem Baptist Church, sustained and developed her even more into a mighty warrior for Christ.  She cherished her beloved pastor, Rev. Dr. Reginald Calvert, the choir that she sang in, and she so loved the children and young adults at her spiritual home. 

Cynthia joined Her beloved Sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. In 1981 while at The University of Alabama.  She was affectionately known as “Flame Thrower.“   Cynthia not only was a good sister, but she mentored and taught many sorors who loved her near and far. Cynthia cherished the pink and green because of the family sisterhood it provided. She was a mentor, friend, sister and advocate to more people than we can ever know. 

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