Chi, we remember you especially today March 11, 2014 because you turned 55 years old. You are physically not present but your spirit is with us wherever we go. We will continue to love and cherish the strong foundation you laid in your family. We miss you. The bond in our family is tighter than ever. We are all doing well, Stacy, Sam Jr., Stephanie, Stanley and your beloved wife Nne.

     God is with us. God has completely filled the vacuum. God’s blessing, power, peace, harmony and comfort reign in the house. God will never ever leave or forsake us according to the scriptures.  I am living up to my promise to take good care of the children.

     May your soul continue to rest in perfect peace!

Love from your beloved family.

Happy Birthday Chi.
May the Almighty Father protect your soul and guard your soul as you rest in PERFECT PEACE.
Chi, it is not the same without you. I am doing all in my power by the grace of God to keep the promises I presented to you on 6/30/12. It has been 9 months since you went to heaven. We love you very much but God loves you more. You are in a good place. We are working hard on earth to be able to reunite with you in Heaven.
Chi I have good news for you. God Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth, King of Glory, Lord of Lords, Alpha and Omega, Lord of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, have filled the vacuum. God is with us. God has brought permanent peace and joy to each and every one of us, Stacy,Sam Jr, Stephanie and Stanley-David.
We do not lack anything, we are content and immersed in the blood of Jesus. I am raising the kids exactly the way you want it.
We are still at North Point Community Church. The Kids and I go to Church like you want it. We call upon our Heavenly Father who is showering us with his mercies compassion, kindness,Grace ,favor,good health etc.
The kids surprised me on my birthday, just as you've always done. We had a good Christmas just as you've always wanted it. The kids also surprised me on Valentine's day, just as you've always done it.
Chi, God has taken over. God is in control. We do not have any reason to doubt the power of God. We believe in God. We have surrendered our lives to God.
CHI MAY YOUR SOUL REST IN PERFECT PEACE 
AMEN. 

Sam: if you had a choice, l am certain you would’ve chosen to stick around long enough to reap the fruits of your labor. That’s what every devoted, hardworking parent deserves. There are still many milestones ahead that your loving family would love to share with you but death they say, is like a ruthless thief who knows no boundaries and strikes unexpectedly and mercilessly. I still remember your comforting words to me 5 months ago at my dad’s wake keeping ceremony, little did l know that l was staring at the face of death and your own funeral would be months away. Death! Kedu ihe umu mmadu mere gi? This life is vain, indeed!  

Ebere, my dear friend, nne ndo. I haven’t lost a life partner; someone who shares ones intimate fears and joys when the world is silent, but I know your pain because l have lost a loved one.  When death strikes and all the dreams are shattered, how does one muster strength and courage to pick up the broken pieces? In the midst of your grief, pain, loneliness; please remember that there is HOPE in the lord.

“The Lord is close to the broken hearted; he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18.
We mortal beings can only give temporary comfort. I pray the Lord give you and your children the strength to bear this great loss, and courage to pick up the torch and keep Sam’s good-fun memories alive. Your children are watching you, you are all they’ve got now.   Our heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. Rest in perfect peace, Sam!  Please excuse my long write-up.

My beloved brother in-law

         The news of ur death came to me with great shock and suddenly the only thing that came to my mind was,how will my sister(ur wife) and children cope knowing the kind of love u shared with them bt i know God will give her strenght.
          I remebered the wonderful times we shared whenever u visit nigeria.u are a wonderful brother in-law and am glad u married my sister.                          
          I  believe this was God's plan for u.i pray for ur eternal rest in the bossom of the Almighty,till we all meet to part no more.

        May ur soul REST in PEACE,Amen.

            My beloved brother, I strongly believe that the glowing light of Epeagba’s family has been hampered by your shocking and ultimately demise. I am so troubled because of all our plans that failed. Until this sad news, I was intriguing.

            I know that you achieved a lot in your time but death came from nowhere and destroyed your anticipations. Well, God knows best, but I take solace in your amiable wife and lovely children who I am sure are capable of fulfilling your unaccomplished dreams. I will endeavor to do my best to pass my heartfelt expressions and care to your family.

           Sam you have lived an amazing life, even though it was very short. You were a wonderful, caring, and loving, in-law, friend, and uncle to all our children. You were the kind of friend that anybody would like to have.
            What is it that we remember when we think of you? Everyone that knew you would very well agree with me on this...
            You love hosting. You had a great sense of humor. You always made us laugh with all kinds of stories and incredible jokes. We will miss all of your jokes and your sense of humor all together. You would always go out of your way to make sure everyone had a smile on their faces. 
            Your death was very sudden. We remember when we heard the news. We could not believe it. 
            You were well loved and had done so many good things on earth. We are sure you will do much more in heaven as you are with our God Almighty Father.
            This is not the time for us to grief your death, but rather it is the time to celebrate your life. This is not the time to shed tears, we know that you are in heaven. It is only the King that knows the secret of His Kingdom.
            Just be rest assured that your family will be in God's hands always. You will be forever missed.
            May your soul REST in PERFECT PEACE. Amen. 

         I am very blessed to have had a great father. He was kind, loving and a great person. I appreciate the time my dad invested in the activities I was involved in. I remember how my father would drive countless hours to get me to soccer tournaments. He would always give me very important advice in how to succeed in whatever I was doing. My dad owned a small business and worked very hard for it to flourish. He would have to work very long hours for this to be possible. Despite his business obligation, he was able to keep balance in his life. He would try to spend as much time with his family as possible. My dad took us to many restaurants and we saw different movies at the theatre. The experiences we share as a family will always be with us. I will cherish the memories of my father forever.

                 Sam. Epeagba Jr. (first son).

          I remember back in the day when I was about five or six and I was in kindergarten. I was so excited because my dad told me we were going all the way to Nigeria at the time I knew that was somewhere in Africa. This would be the first time I get to go out of the country. It was truly one of the best vacations we ever went on and it would be the first time I was in an airplane that I can remember.

          I also remember when we ate at the table on Memorial Day at least two years ago. We had a big barbecue with chicken, ribs, steaks and all prepared by the master chef my dad. I remember hearing the sound of the grill sizzling and the steaks going pop, pop, pop and the fumes from the grill easily finding its way under the door and to my nose. Whenever we ate at the table dad would quiz us when we least expected it. He also gave us riddles that we would seek out the answer. He would give each person a turn to get it right. It would go around in a circle. At the time I always wondered why he does this. I realize now it was more of a family activity to help us get smarter and to make sure we know as well as strengthen our common sense. Out of all the other dads in the world my dad was defiantly special, different and an awesome father and I will always love him.

-Stanley Epeagba (last son)

            Chi, my precious husband, the wonderful father of my 4 children, the love of my life, my best friend. A man who succeeded where most men failed. My wonderful husband your time on earth though short was very fulfilling. You provided everything we needed as a family. Our home is a place of peace, unity, respect, love, compassion, safety, discipline and fear of God. Thanks for making it possible. June first 2012 your life ended suddenly on a motor vehicle accident which changed our lives forever.

             Chi, ezigbo dim ebee ka ino?

Where have you gone, leaving me and the children that you suffered to bring up in unity and love?

                It is sad but your good works will guide us forever until we meet to part no more.

          Honey, your type of person is hard to find, very hard working, you believed in me. You talked to me every minute of the day. You couldn’t wait to tell me how your day went. You called me Nne (mother). I never knew your life will be this short.

          Where have you gone leaving me and the children that you suffered to bring up in unity and in love?

          I am still living in a dream as to where you have gone. It was not our plan; we were supposed to be together forever.

          My love for you will never die, I will hold onto our dreams.

          Chi, it is unbelievable that you left us without notice, my heart is bleeding because I did not have the chance to say goodbye. Chi you took us on vacations, restaurants, movies, we played games as a family. You always have a smile on your face and are always willing to take an extra step. Family is always first. You were proud of your children; your death is hard to bear.

          Chi, thank you for the special gourmet meals you made for us, you were always happy and excited when the kids said “Daddy is a better cook” The children and I love and cherish you.

          Towards the end, you became very generous, you blessed people with different kinds of gifts, you insisted that we not be late to church every Sunday, you loved North Point Community Church. Chi, North Point community Church is a major part of your funeral. I will really miss you.

          I promise that I will do all in my power by the grace of God, to take good care of our children. Feeling abandoned, but believing that the Almighty God has a master plan for us all.  

          I am proud and blessed to be your wife. Chi, you lived a short life. Good bye my love. You are in a better place, on the right hand side of God Almighty, where there is no suffering, no hunger, no pain, no fighting, etc.
Chi may your Soul Rest in Perfect Peace!

Lots of Love your wife,

Ebere

              My dad’s death was not foreseen however, God works in strange ways that no one can fully understand. This is something I know my Dad strongly believed in. He was very dedicated to his family’s connecting to the church and God. He would always wake me up Sunday morning and tell me that we were going to 12:45 church. He never liked to go late, but we sometimes ended up late. No matter how upset he might have been about going late, the second we walked into church he would forget it all.                                                         
             
                 After church, he would love to take us out to eat. Once we got into the car he would say, “Alright guys, where am I going?” and Stanley would want to go to Chilli’s, but my dad would say, “Don’t you want to go to Golden Coral? Don’t you want to eat that juicy steak?” and after that we always ended up going there. Since my dad was always working during the week and my mom on the weekends, it was hard for us to do things as a family, so I guess that’s why my dad was always taking us all out to eat and randomly taking us out to a movie. The last place we went out to eat was at the Cheesecake Factory. It was for mother’s day and it was the first time any of us had been there. It was packed and we didn’t realize that we should have made a reservation. We were thinking to, maybe go someplace less packed, but since my Dad planned to take us to the Cheesecake Factory, he somehow got us inside faster. The last movie he took us out to see was the Avengers. It was on Memorial Day and he had rushed from work to take us all. He didn’t even know anything about the movie or what it was about, but he still took us out because he knew we would enjoy it. As long as it meant being together and having a good time, he was happy.
         
              My dad was not only a hard working business man, but he was also a family man. He worked Monday through Saturday yet, he always tried to take us out as family any chance he got. During the summer he would take us to our condo in Florida. Every year we would go to Florida and have a great time. He made it possible to do just about everything there is to do in Florida. We went from doing everything in Disney World, to Arabian Nights dinner and show, and even indoor sky-diving.
         
           My Dad was so quick to supply my family with anything we needed. When I entered middle school he bought me a laptop. When I entered high school, he got me a car. I can’t explain how blessed I was to have my Dad in my life. In most families, not every person in the house has a laptop, but he supplied everyone in the house with one. Most kids don’t get cars to practice driving with. Some have to buy it with their own money long after they get their license. Yet, I got mine before I even had a permit. He was quick to get a car for my older brother and sister as well.
         
               When it came to sports, my dad took things very seriously. He wanted to see me play tennis. Even though he was always working, he really wanted to take just one day and play tennis with me. He wanted to see me play golf as well because he said I might be able to get a scholarship off of it. I would laugh and say “You have to be good at a sport before getting a scholarship dad, and I have never played golf!”. He was thinking of giving me a private trainer for golf, and even tennis. He was always pushing for me to be the best player I could be. My dad was also always giving me random life lessons or bits of information and then he would say “That will show up on an exam one day, and then you’ll thank me.” Then I would just laugh, but I am now very thankful for everything that he taught me. Since my dad ran his own business he would always tell me about how it wasn’t easy, but nothing in life is. He would always say, “Every big business that you see out there, started small. Probably as a family run business. When they first start out, endless sacrifices are made, and there are many failures that occur. Without failure success is impossible. So, once these small businesses overcome these failures, they can become bigger and better, like Wal-Mart or Target. Nothing starts big, it’s a process.” I’m realizing that, this really is something I can use in my life. He taught me that life is really a challenge. But my Dad was a very strong and determined man; he almost made it look easy.

            My dad wished for me to go to Georgia Tech and become a computer engineer, so he was always keeping up with my class grades and tests scores. He was always asking me when I was going to take the SAT and finding places for me to take pre-SAT courses. He even kept track of all the annoying college letters that come in the mail addressed to my name (but he always opened them before me). I remember how he would always make fun of my “dream college” which was any school that had a nicely cut lawn and a fountain like the ones I saw in movies. He was so involved in setting a pathway for success for me and I can never thank him enough. I am going to miss making my dad oatmeal, toast, and eggs every morning and kissing him on the cheek right before he goes to work. I am going to miss making mix CD’s of his favorite songs for him. I am going to miss the funny way he would pronounce certain words. I am going to miss the way he would always point out fancy cars or how I could point to any car and he would tell me everything about it. I am going to miss the way he was always there for me and how he loved me and my family so much. But most importantly I will never forget my father because I know that he is still with us, watching over his family forever. I love you dad.

Stephanie Epeagba (second daughter)

           My dad has always cared for his family. He worked late nights at his own business to ensure we all have the best. He has an abundance of advice for me even when I’m not readily listening.  He didn’t hesitate to put a smile on our faces. There was this time when we were vacationing in Florida. We stayed at our condo and it was an annual trip we make every summer. This year like others was the family night where all condo owners come out to eat and have fun. Years prior I had participated in the annual karaoke contest and now it seemed like it would be my dad’s turn. We told him he should try karaoke in front of the other owners. At first he didn’t agree but with enough pushing he went up to the front. He wasn’t familiar with the songs but he knew YMCA. I remember we all sat and watched him sing and gesture the letters Y-M-C-A. That memory stuck out to me because I know not everyone has these kind of memories. And this memory always warms my heart.

          My father took us to Florida many more times before and after this. One year my brother and I wanted to go to Harry Potter World so bad and even though my father and mother weren’t a fan, my father and mother made sure we were able to attend. While at Harry potter World my dad stood in line for hours to get us into Olivander’s Wand Shop. He didn’t complain once about the long line as the rest of us walked around. After we headed to Sinbad. I remember dad saying “We have to see Sinbad” but we didn’t really want to go as much. In the end it was fun. Dad always tried to find new things for us to do while in Florida. I remember he always elected me as “temporary” tour guide it seemed. I had to search for new attractions every year. Often I got annoyed but as I look back it was fun to find new places to go to. My dad attempted many things other dads wouldn’t. He tried a sky diving simulator as well as went on roller coasters when we were younger. He was adventurous and always wanted to keep the fun moving on summer vacation.

          He always knew when it was time to study, he would often ask me how I was doing at school. And I remember calling him often to tell him about my impossible Organic class. I always felt real proud telling him my grades and he’d say “Good job”, “Congratulations” and it always brought a smile to my face as I walked back to my dorm. And when situations got rough he took the time to fully understand and advise me in a way that was beyond helpful. Mom always says I was the challenger in the house. She called it challenging dad. It isn’t so much challenging dad as it was trying to prove my point. Dad would ask me why I didn’t do something and I’d always start “Dad let me tell you a story” and he would shake his head and laugh at me as if I was about to tell a joke. I don’t know if most dads have a sense of humor like that but I can say my dad had the best sense of humor. He had nicknames too he’d say “Stacy baby” anytime he answered my call. He’d tell me to fix him something to eat or “please don’t leave the dishes like this its nasty.” He had a look he’d give when you did something wrong but it didn’t last long. He liked to joke around with us even when we aren’t joking. Sometimes I’m in a bad mood and he would start trying to massage my shoulder and I’d always pull away but as I look back now I know it was just another one of dad’s ways of joking around with us.

          He would send us on random movie runs anytime I come back from college or on holiday. Usually I wouldn’t be up for a movie “too tired” I’d say or “I don’t want to see X-men first: class” in the end a handful of the movies end up on my shelf at home. He had a laugh that was distinct; you knew it was him in a room. Any time I heard his laugh I’d roll my eyes. I knew dad was laughing about something. In my opinion my dad was kind of  a DJ. He loved music and could sit listening for hours. In the end, he’d always ask “this is the music you need to play on the piano”. I always told him “If I can find the sheet music I’ll play it.”  My dad would cook on Sundays any time he could.  We’d joke and say he should open a restaurant and my sister would say call it “fishy keens”. Dad didn’t particularly like the name but we laughed together all the same.

          He worked hard for the family and even though we wondered why he worked long hours it made sense. He would tell me “work really hard now, it will be tough but after you can relax,” at the time it was hard to see it but now I know that going into my major the road may be tough but in the end once I’ve graduated and gotten my stethoscope I know I can relax. God puts certain people in your lives for a reason, I learned at church my sophomore year. God put my father in my life and I’m blessed to have had him. My father was a comedian, a professor, a musician, a movie fan, a chef, a soccer fan/coach, football fan, a Christian, and last of all but most important my father.

          Though my father is gone I know he will always be in our hearts giving advice, free computer lectures, or joking. I miss you dad and love you always.

          Stacy Epeagba (first daughter).