Grandma Oke (1943 – 2024): A life of caring and service (See photos of her burial March 7)
Femi OGUNLANA
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Mama Abigail Monilola Oke (nee Oladeji) first appeared in this platform in June 2023 after she celebrated her 80th birthday in a grand style on June 2nd of that year. Fast track to October 14, 2024, she breathed her last. That’s the destiny of man. Today you are, tomorrow you are no more. The important thing is to lead an impactful life that benefits others in some way.
From what is known she led a life of service and caring attested to by many at her funeral, which held two days at Antioch Baptist Church, Ogbomoso. The wake service on Thursday, March 6, was redolent with recalls of her good deeds by many who gave testimonies.
While delivering the sermon at the funeral service, on Friday, pastor of the church, Rev’d Dr Wale Olajire, said inter-alia, “Her family supported a lot of Seminary students. Mama Oke was an exemplary human being, l am not saying she’s a perfect human being, no, she had her weaknesses but her strengths are more.”
Rev’d Olajire added, “She had a unique good relationship with pastors; she was respectful of clergymen, she humbly hearkened to corrections, she understood spiritual authority, and also, she gave constantly to the church. She had understanding of what spiritual leadership is all about,” while concluding, “The death of a saint is not a loss but a gain. (Psalm 116:5).”
It was a classy event attended by several dignitaries including wife of a former governor of Kwara state, Alhaji Ahmed Abdulfatah. The reception at the Ogbomoso Recreation Club was a talk-of-the town party with delicious African and Continental dishes served guests, gulped down with assorted wines and other drinks, in a delectable, serene ambience. There is no doubt she was given a magnificent rites of passage.
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A good family woman. Her first child, Prof Dns Oyenike Adeyemo, in a tribute notes, “You were a virtuous woman indeed. You overworked and served hard for your husband, children, extended family, church family, and friends. You did not joke about the welfare of your family and your husband. You consistently put others before yourself, demonstrating remarkable selflessness.”
Her daughter, Mrs. Oladebo Moyo Ajala, also remarks, “Thank you for being there for all your children and grandchildren. I love you Mom. May your legacy of faith, hard-work and genuine love for immediate and extended family and also church members live on.”
Her son, Adedotun Oke, pens, “You were a beautiful mother who raised us in the Lord’s way and encouraged us,” while Muyiwa Oke, her last child, submits, “Your love for the work of God is inimitable. Your labour in the Women Missionary Society, Sunday School, CTP, now Discipleship Life Style, widows and motherless is matchless.”
Tributes poured in in commemoration of her virtues; children in-laws, family, among several others which cannot all be reproduced here. But one thing is clear, undeniably, she led a worthy life underscored by the emotional tributes written in her honour. There is no cheat about life, what we sowed we will reap. At death, our true attributes manifest, all pretensions will take a thrash, whether publicly or in corners.
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Mama Oke as she’s fondly called in the church or Mummy Agba by her extended family members in her later years, was born on June 2, 1943, to late Dn. Solomon and Mrs. Tejuola Oladeji in Jos, today’s capital of Plateau state. She attended schools including Idi-Aba Baptist Girls’ School, Abeokuta, Osogbo Baptist Girls’ High School and Borno State College of Education.
She took a career in teaching working as a teacher in several schools in the southwestern and northern parts of the country, teaching history and geography.
She married Dn. Samson Bamidele Oke of Oguro compound, Akunko area, Ogbomoso, in 1967. Her husband’s work as a federal civil servant with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, afforded her the opportunity of living in several parts of the country, due to transfers, thus, she was cosmopolitan in outlook.
As has been established she served God extensively in His vineyard.
Her good deeds are forever engraved in the heart of her husband,
00qqqq children, grandchildren and other family members, friends, colleagues and church members, where she served.
It’s highlighted in her funeral bulletin tagged, “Celebrating the legacy of a God-fearing mother – A journey of love and faith,” thus, “Mama Oke’s life can be summarized in Proverbs 31: 28 – 31, ‘Her children rise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her
in the gates.'”
Adieu!
