TRIBUTE: LATE PASTOR MRS CHRISTIANA OLUFUNKE OWOLABI.

I had no idea it was going to be the last time I’d be seeing her when I visited last December. She held my hand in a show of recognition of who was visiting. She was all smiles. It was tough for me to cope with the news of her passing on to glory because she never showed any sign of leaving this world any time soon. However, I braced up and rested with the hope that we shall meet to part no more, someday.

In 1972, I had the privilege of being the ring bearer at her wedding to my Uncle, Professor Owolabi of blessed memory. I vividly remember how beautiful she was and how lucky to have gotten married to ‘Oga Bida’, an uncle like a father. I believe they are now together at the Lord’s bosom.

Mama Lanre as we fondly called her, was widely misunderstood in the family because she was always clinging to her husband like snail and its shell. There was hardly anywhere her husband went that she wouldn’t be there. The family saw her as being possessive but, most didn’t realize she loved her husband deeply and could hardly do anything without him. But our matriarch in the Owolabi family saw her differently. Mama Elelubo embraced her and they often visited each other. Sometimes, she passes one or two nights in Mama Elelubo’s room. I believe those moments were somehow respiteful for her.

She was a kind-hearted, inquisitive, virtuous and reserved woman who served the Lord everywhere she went. She trained the boys well and always looked after their interest. I can testify to the fact that the boys took very good care of her during her health challenges, and I use this opportunity to appreciate the boys, Lanre, Niyi, Dapo and Tokunbo.

May God grant her eternal rest

Gbenga Owolabi.

On behalf of the Owolabi Family.

Oponda Aran-Orin.