I remember the day I met my soon to be father-in-law. It was as if I had known him for a long time because of the way he greeted me and spoke to me. At that moment I knew I had met a man of God and the pillar of his family and community. I gave him a name "The General" because he was the commander for God's intented purpose,to live your life by example offering love, compassion for everyone and much more. You were always happy to see me or when I called to speak to you on the phone. I will always here your voice in my mind and I will remember you always.



Jeffrey Carter   

You gave me to my husband on our wedding day.

People have always said that I’m like him. The way we act, our presence, and the volume of our voices. The fact that people compare me to him is a genuine compliment. He was God fearing, caring, a family man, and a great person to be around.  I am thankful that I was so blessed to know him well and have him be a part of my life. He has given me so much, physically. Still, the best gift he has given me was an example of a life lived well. When I was younger, I found myself completely surprised about all of the stories I heard and I’d have to stop and ask if I was really the descendant of the closest thing to royalty. He had a lengthy, fruitful marriage, good decision-making, the favor of almost anyone he ran into, a healthy sense of humor, and he still managed to keep his humility. It is because of these things that he is much more than a collection of memories to me. Even though we are upset that he has left us, we should still rejoice this day that he has touched our lives and has gone to be with the lord. I wish him nothing but good rest in heaven’s silence, for he has fought nothing but a good fight. Rest well Doh.

Sincerely,

Your grandson, Praise Dingana

TRIBUTE TO MY BELOVED DADDY

MR. TITUS NTUNGWEN FOMUSO

Where do I start when talking about my beloved Daddy, a man with contagious faith in God, the loving husband of my mom, the exceptional father, the outstanding Grandpa!? Do I start by talking about his exemplary demonstration of love or his very warm hugs that always gave me security since childhood? Do I talk about the way he always took time to listen and encourage me to pursue my dreams?

Do I talk about how his consoling words made even the heaviest load easier to carry? Do I talk about his problem solving skills, his adventurous nature, his warm gentle strength, his love for people and how he made sure his children had a good balance of exposure to different standards of living and respect for people from all backgrounds? Do I talk about how he made each of his children feel very special, but still had enough love to share with the rest of the family and the world? and how he always took time to gently kiss the cheeks of his grandchildren?  Do I talk about how hardworking he was, his encouraging words, his words of wisdom, his words of praise, or his appreciation of good things and enthusiastic embrace of advanced technology and innovation? Do I talk about his positive attitude and how even in the darkest of days, he reassured us, telling us that the Almighty God is in control….?

Oh my beloved Daddy! I truly don’t know where to start! My beloved Daddy, my earthly solid rock, the one who always believed in me even during my childhood days when I had many nick names. My beloved Daddy who encouraged me to dream, who joined me in dreaming and joined me in praising God when dreams came true!

My beloved Daddy! You were a very special man! You showed us the example of being a great son in the loving way you treated your mother and involved your children in serving her. In addition to that, you showed us the example of also being a great sibling, husband, father, grandfather, friend, family member, leader… through the outstanding ways you embraced the many roles you had. You made sure to be very involved in the upbringing of your children even when the house was full. We witnessed fairness, integrity, humility, dignity, genuine love and genuine respect for people through you. Our doors were always open to all and you raised us to treat each and every one living in our house with the same respect regardless of whether they were family or friend or house helper.

My beloved Daddy! You went through many health problems, but never let anything hinder you from making good use of everyday you had. You made sure to live everyday with joy and gratitude, while encouraging those around you to do the same. I will greatly miss the comforting feeling I always felt when I sat beside you, how you listened to me and how you greeted me with warm hugs and smiles. I will greatly miss how you proudly introduced me to people and took time to explain how I got my names. I will greatly miss how you held my hands, hugged me and always told me everything will be ok. I will greatly miss how you wiped my tears and held my hands to stand up in times of weakness. I will greatly miss your straight forward ways of talking that gave good guidance. Even when we didn’t agree on a point, you always gave me the opportunity to express myself. You humbly apologized whenever you thought you needed to, just like you listened and gave the opportunity for others to correct things with you and move on.

I will greatly miss you Daddy! I will greatly miss your magnetic warm presence, your warm smile, your phone calls, the vibrant ways you answered your phone and the prestigious nick names you called me. I will greatly miss the ways you made me feel special by patting the space close to you for me to sit beside you and have one-on-one interaction with you even in a room full of people. I will greatly miss seeing you seated at your favorite spots. I will greatly miss hearing your interesting stories. I will greatly miss your contagious heartwarming laughter. I will greatly miss hearing your confident deep singing voice. I will greatly miss you stopping by to check on us. Seeing you take your last breath was very heartbreaking Daddy! But what consoles me is that I know you are with The Lord. You have left a very big vacuum Daddy! Not having you around will be very difficult, but I will hold on to the wonderful memories of you my extraordinary Daddy. Thank you very much Daddy for being an exceptional father and for sacrificing so much to give us the best standards of living. Thank you very much for your emotional, physical, social and financial generosity. I thank the Almighty God for your 78 years of life (including your eight bonus years like you thankfully called the years after turning 70). I will miss you very much Daddy. Rest with The Lord till we meet again. I love you very much Daddy. Your legacy lives on!

With love and gratitude from your beloved daughter,

Nandet

One cold rainy evening in Limbe Cameroon, almost 40 years ago, we the children were relaxing and playing in the yard when suddenly we heard the sound of Uncle Titus' loud rumbling voice: "where is everybody?"

We scrambled down the mango tree, the guava tree and the ackie trees in the yard and rushed to greet our favourite uncle! He had contri-names for all of us. He called me Lipsia!!  (I used to think that name was on my birth certificate!) Mum and dad were out somewhere, so it was up to us to play host until our parents got back. 

After offering Uncle Titus a chair to sit, a slice of mum's homemade lemon cake and freshly squeezed orange juice, I decided to show him to his room! The room mum always showed him when he came to visit.  

Uncle Titus came out of the room barely 10 seconds later and said: "why is the room so ramshackled??!!"

Poor us, we didn't realise as children, that we had to fix up the room first, before taking the guest into the room. 

Thankfully mum came a few moments later and rescued the situation!

The word ramshackled has stayed with us ever since!! 

We will forever cherish those memories!! 

I’ve never met anybody with as much presence as my grandpa, in fact he stood out everywhere he went. Everything from his deep bass voice to his love of life and sense of adventure, was captivating. He had a magnetic quality to him that drew the attention of everybody around him. However, what impressed me the most about him was his dignity matched by his humility. He was confident, but not arrogant in the way he carried himself. He honestly earned his title of chief merely because of the impact he had on those surrounding him, including me. I remember, even on his worst days, he was warm, welcoming, and kind hearted. He has been one the most significant people in my life and a driving force in my pursuit of education. He chaperoned my school field trips, attended school events, and was always proud of me. I love how he always sang with his loud full voice especially when he harmonized with the song. It seemed like he embraced every aspect of life fully and with a grateful heart. I will think of you everyday with gratitude, because of of all you have done for me. I miss you and love you so much, Grandpa!

Your granddaughter

Golda Nahbila Ntali.

If I could have just one more day and

wishes did come true,

I'd spend every glorious moment

side by side with you.

Recalling all the years we shared

and memories we made,

how grateful I would be

to have just one more day.

Where the tears I've shed are

not in vain and only fall in bliss,

so many things I'd let you know

about the days you've missed.

You are a special star, a leader and a friend

I never will forget the day

You taught me to count to ten

We thought of you with love today,

But that is nothing new.

We thought about you yesterday

And days before that, too.

We think of you in silence.

We often speak your name.

Now all we have is memories

And your picture in a frame.

Your memory is our keepsake

With which we’ll never part

God has you in his keeping.

We have you in our hearts.

When your days came to a close

and the sun began to set,

a million times I'd let you know

I never will forget.

The heart of gold you left behind

when you entered Heaven's way,

how grateful I would be to

have just one more day.

-Love your Granddaughter, Gabriella Andin Titi Ntali