The Christian wake service for Late Mrs. Abigail Ayoolu Adeniyi Anifowose, the mother of Abuja-based legal practitioner, Mr. Gbite Adeniyi, drew a large crowd of family members, church leaders, friends, and community members on Friday evening at her residence in Esa-Oke, Osun State.
The solemn event, held as part of her final burial rites, was marked by a mixture of emotions from deep sorrow at her passing to heartfelt thanksgiving for a life well lived in service to God and humanity.
Relatives and well-wishers who spoke at the wake described the late matriarch as a devout Christian, a prayer warrior, and a woman of remarkable courage who left behind an enduring legacy of faith, sacrifice, and selflessness.
Throughout her lifetime, she was said to have committed herself to the spiritual and educational development of her children, while also extending love and care to the wider family and community.
In an emotional tribute, her first daughter, Mrs. Ibikunle Titilayo who spoke on behalf of the deceased children described her late mother as a God-fearing woman whose unwavering devotion to prayer and service to God shaped the lives of her children
She recalled how her mother constantly encouraged them to pursue their education and faith with equal passion, noting that “Mama would go to any length to ensure that we were successful. She laid our foundation on Christian faith and never compromised when it came to our upbringing. She was courageous, caring, and unforgettable every memory of her is for good.”
Another family member, Mrs. Toyin Akinrinade (née Anifowose), spoke glowingly of the deceased’s role in fostering peace and unity within the family.
According to her, “Mama was courageous and treated everyone as one. She knew the way of Christ and she led us in that way. She was indescribable in her love, always bringing people together and showing us that family is not just blood but the bond of love. We are comforted by the fact that she is resting in the Lord.”
Representatives of the Methodist Church in Esa-Oke also extolled the virtues of the deceased, describing her as a devoted Christian who spent her lifetime serving God wholeheartedly.
They noted that she was tirel iness in evangelism and in the work of the church, consistently demonstrating an uncommon zeal for prayer and service until her final days.
Delivering a short exhortation from Romans Chapter 8, the Very Reverend Clement Soyinka described Late Mrs. Anifowose as a woman who “came to the world, fought many battles, and conquered them.”
He explained that her battles were not for personal gain but for the wellbeing and success of her children, all of whom have grown into responsible and accomplished individuals.
Reverend Soyinka reminded the congregation that her victorious Christian life should serve as a challenge and inspiration to all, asking rhetorically: “Mama knew God and gave her life to the service of His Kingdom. The question is, are we ready to do the same?”
The wake service was filled with hymns, prayers, Bible readings, and heartfelt tributes, which painted a vivid picture of the life of a woman remembered not only for her devotion to God but also for her impact on everyone who crossed her path.
The atmosphere combined grief with gratitude, as Residents of Esa Oke Community reflected on her legacy while offering words of encouragement to the bereaved family.
The burial and thanksgiving service for Late Mrs. Abigail Ayoola Adeniyi Anifowose is scheduled to hold on Saturday at Methodist Church, Odo Ese, Esa-Oke, beginning at 10 a.m while Guests will thereafter be entertained at the Esa-Oke Town Hall, where family and friends are expected to continue celebrating the remarkable life of the departed matriarch.
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