A tribute to my dearest sister Rose from her surviving sibling, Mordi Iheme
In honor of my dearest sister, the oldest of three siblings, and my only sister in this world, may her beautiful soul rest in peace. May the almighty God give solace to children, husband, family members, relatives and friends that are grieving today for her passing. I am still confused and conflicted because her death is still a shocker to me. The question that I ask God is, why now?
While I am in deep sorrow and obviously grieving for the death of my sister, I give my deepest sympathy to all the people who have come to know her and all the people she touched and helped over the years. My sister was not only a great mother, wife, a leader that rose to a chieftaincy coronation; she is a philanthropist by the virtue of the great number of people she helped over the years.
My sister’s life and accomplishments in this world should be celebrated. The best way to honor her passing is to remember her and the great things she accomplished in this world.
Above all, my sister lived a full and accomplished life. She left her mark in this world by her wonderful children, Ngozi, Ogechi, Lillian Nkechi, Chioma (who preceded her), Okwudiri, Gabriel, and Mgbechi. They will live on and carry on with her legacy.
While we are grieving, I say, join me to honor her life, her accomplishments and to celebrate a life.
A brief biography of my sister, Rose.
Rose, is my sister and the oldest of three siblings, John and Mordi Iheme the children of Elizabeth and Sampson Iheme. My mother, Elizabeth was an enterpreaur, a farmer and local political leader of the village. My father, Sampson Iheme was a carpenter that was involved in roof and road construction in Obowu and surrounding villages and towns.
My sister showed signs of greatness right from childhood and during her elementary school years. She did not only excel in academics in school, but was a great all around athlete. She was the best hand ball player in her days, best track and field that won all competitions and meets in the Obowu regional competitions. As a result of her athleticism and achievements, my sister, Rose was famous and well known during her school years in Obowu and the surrounding communities and towns.
She had a great voice and was a key member of the church choir.
After her graduation from high school, she eventually traveled to Port Harcourt and where she found employment at the upscale department store. It was at this upscale department store that she met her loving husband, Ignatius Okereke. They fell in love and later got married.
My sister was the pillar of our family and we all looked after her and she never disappointed us. My sister never forgot where she came from and was always there for the family.
I was attached to my sister to the hip and was really in separable from her. My entire childhood was memorable and lovely because of her. She made sure I was taken care off no mater what. I traveled to Port Harcourt whenever there was a school holiday to stay with her. I had the best of times, the best of clothes and the best toys when I was growing up because of her. My sister loved me dearly.
From Port Harcourt, my sister, Rose and the husband, Ignatius moved to Lagos where they were involved in a number of successful business adventures. I too traveled to Lagos with them and lived with them until I eventually traveled to US.
My sister has a strong personality and was the pillar of her family. She was the glue that held things together. My sister is always busy and involved in disparate successful business adventures. She was an entrepreneur that was involved in distribution of bottled beverages, restaurant business, and importer of cosmetics, jewelry and clothing amongst other business adventures.
Above all her accomplishments her beautiful children – Ngozi, Ogechi, Lillian, Nkechi and Mgbechi. There success is a great testament that their parents, Rose and Ignatius Okereke raised them well and they will carry on with her legacy.
The best and the only way to honor my sister's passing is to remember her accomplishments, her philanthropy in this world. Join me to celebrate her life that she lived to the fullest.