Dearest Auntie.

What a blessing you were to us all. A wonderful and devoted Auntie who loved and cared so much for us all. You had an inner strength and graceful beauty that was so evident to all who knew you.

Thank you for caring for us always and looking after us when we came to visit in recent years. Thank you for embracing and loving your great-nieces - Naomi and Jemima who we are so glad you got to enjoy cuddles with - but we are so sorry that our own little Grace missed you.

You had a regal and unrivalled elegance and serene beauty that shone from within.
We will remember so fondly you always and we take comfort in knowing that you are at peace enjoying the perfect joy and beauty of the everlasting light in Heaven above.

With love from Adedoyin, Sophie, Naomi, Jemima and Grace. X

Mummy the honest truth is that I cannot put my thoughts together and I don’t want to believe I am writing a tribute about you. 

You were my rock, source of strength, my inspiration, the one I always looked up to for strength. Because of who you were and how you dealt with the challenges of life, with such ease and contentment, despite what you faced, I always said to myself, if my mum can go through what she has been through, what was it that life could throw me that I couldn’t cope with.

You are what I call, my love beyond measure.

To believe I won’t see your face again and talk to you on the phone is unimaginable mummy.

My mummy, Grace Morounranti David was a wife of noble character. She was worth far more than rubies.

My dad was full of confidence in her and lacked nothing of value. She brought him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

My mum selected wool and flax and worked with eager hands. She was like the merchant ship, bringing food from afar.

She got up while it was still night; and provided food for your family and portions for the rest of your household. My mum considered the field and bought it; out of your earnings, she planted a vineyard.

Mummy, you set about your work vigorously; your arms were strong for her tasks. You saw that your trading was profitable, and your lamp never went out at night.

Mummy, you always opened your arms to the poor and extended your hands to the needy.

When it was cold, mummy had no fear for her household; for all her household were clothed in scarlet. She made coverings for her bed; you were clothed in fine linen and purple.

Mummy, you made linen garments and sold them, and supplied the merchants with sashes.

Mummy, you were definitely clothed with strength and dignity; you could laugh at the days to come. You spoke with wisdom, and faithful instruction was on your tongue.

You watched over the affairs of your household and did not eat the bread of idleness.

Now I can confidently arise and call you blessed. “Many women have done noble things, but my mother, Grace Morounranti David surpass them all.”
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who feared the Lord is to be praised.

I honour you, my mummy, for all that your hands have done, and your offsprings and grandchildren shall bring you praise always.

I know you are now resting in the mighty hand of our Lord with your one and only beloved husband.

Thank you, mummy and I say thank you again, mummy.

Rest in perfect peace, my sweet mummy.

Morounke

Still, I can’t believe our lovely Grandma was taken away from us. We will miss our Grandmother, but her spirit and strength will live on in each of her children and Grandchildren. I'm very glad that you were able to be a part of my childhood. You may have passed on, but my memories of you caring for us as kids will not be forgotten and I will be forever grateful and thankful that you are my Grandmother.

Ayomide Byron

Sister Ranti as I use to call you.
You're a kind-hearted woman, an aunt, a sister, a mother etc. I don't know which one I should use because You're all put together depending on where our discussions are coming from and going to. You relate to me like a big sister without anyone knowing that we're neither of the same father nor mother. You took everyone like yours.
You literally gave me my first car in 1984 for next to nothing ( LA 9035 WD Peugeot 505 SR. ) of which I remain grateful.
You call me regularly even when I don't return your calls. You'll always say aburo mo ni ki nwo alaafia ę ni o.
You're just a simple example of a loving soul.
I remembered your last message to me " Aburo I can't walk since 2 weeks ago but I know that my God who art in heaven will heal me" and I called and said sister you'll be fine and you said just pray for me o. I wouldn't have imagined in my wildest dream that you're saying goodbye to me.
A flaming candle has been blown out.
Adieu sister Ranti and good night.

May the good Lord accept and bless your soul.
We love you but God loves you more.

Akinwale and Ajolola Sodipo

It feels too soon to be writing this for you, Grandma. We still had many more celebrations, holiday visits, birthdays and delightful surprises to go. But life, what can you do?

Nevertheless, I write this with a spirit of thanksgiving because I know that's what you would want. I am thankful to God for having you as my Grandmother. I am thankful that I got to witness your strength, kindness and wisdom, in all its glory. I am thankful I didn't only get to hear stories of the bright light that you were but got to experience it for myself, and now have many stories of my own to tell. And oh, tell them I shall!

I learnt more than I probably realise from growing up with you, down to even my taste in food. You had an immense impact on the person that I am and I will continue to carry your light and loving memories with me.

I will always love you dearly, Grandma.
I pray that you continue to rest in His power.

- Your "Officer", Adeola

'Sister mi', as we fondly called you! You 'are' still here! I can't imagine differently, nor does it feel otherwise.
Memories of you are real-time. They couldn't possibly be in the past.

Pictures of your beautiful self, with your charming, heart-warming smiles are trending. This was you!

Can I ever remember you in an angry mode? Never!
Can I remember you always charming? Always!

You were beautiful in all ways, charming, joyful, giving, accommodating, sharing, enduring. ALL LOVINGLY.

You were the centrepiece of our family, whichever way you swing, 360⁰.

Memories? My holiday visits to you in Kaduna, by train from Ibadan, remain everlasting sweet memories.
Your trip from Moscow to London for my wedding remains as fresh today as it was back then in 1982.
Staying with you in Lagos 'VI', all sweet memories.
And you were surrounded by equally good-natured, like-minded people.

What to say in this situation, which remains unreal!

Only God knows his plan for each and everyone of us. We don't understand this, but God does. And there rests the case.

Sister mi, sleep on undisturbable.

Love you forever!

Oyinkan

To think that this elegant, beautiful, classy, funny, loving and adoring Aunty of mine is no longer here, is still very difficult to comprehend. A voice that I can still hear, a smile I can still feel, and laughter that is still infectious!
You were the Aunty that every girl needs. The wisdom in your advice, your fashion tips and your passionate expressions, I will always hold dear. We will always laugh when we remember you opening “fake” Malt, and and seeing how you used to run the house when we stayed with you. I am grateful for, and I will cherish the times that I spent with you on my visits to Lagos.
We should not dwell on missed opportunities or calls that should have been made. Instead, I hope that your legacy will inspire us, and I pray that God will use this opportunity to teach us all to number our days, so that we may apply our hearts to wisdom (Psalm 90:12).
Genuinely, words fail me but we must always remember that God knows best and to Him we must return.

Forever loved, dearly missed, never forgotten. Until we meet again, rest in His peace.

Yetunde

My condolences to the David family, l know how it feels losing a precious Mother, it takes the grace of God to heal the vacuum as she will always be missed and remain in our hearts. Remember the good times always. She lived well on as she now has departed in to eternity. May her soul rest in perfect peace.

Aunty Ranti,

It is unbelievable that we are writing this. Words fail us. You were very dear to us. Although miles away from some of us, you were always close to our hearts. We will miss your beautiful smile and your gentle ways. We love you but we know your maker loves you more. Forever missed. Forever in our hearts.

-The Jafojo family.

I find it hard to talk about mummy in the past-tense because it hurts so much. I met mummy 30 years ago through her son. I noticed very quickly that she always said things as they were; never any pretence around her. Years after, I became very closer to her and knew her likes and dislikes. She and Grandpa became parents to my kids 16 years ago and they both brought out the best in them. I wish mum and dad were here to give out Tosin and Tara’s hand in marriage but who am I to question the owner of her soul?

I pray that God Almighty grants us all the grace to bear this great loss even as we are still grieving daddy’s loss.

Goodnight, Mummy

Edna Aggreh

She was my bosom friend, a precious soul who was always there for me.

Married to late Air Commodore Bolaji David, one of Nigeria's pioneer air force who served with heart and love for the nation, Grace was a wife with a touch of class. As they say, "for every successful man, there is a woman" Grace David was that backbone to the husband. She was a reliable friend who always sought the best for others.

I regard Grace as my blood sister.

We were still reeling from the loss of her husband some weeks back. We had been together during the period and the burial ceremony was a success. The restriction of movement due to the ravaging coronavirus had however deprived me of paying her regular visits like I would have wanted as elderly people are more susceptible to the impact of the virus, but we were in constant touch.

The last time we spoke, she sounded hale and hearty not knowing that that would be the very last of her voice I would hear. On the fateful day, 3rd February 2021, I was called by her son, Tobi, that she had passed on!

I was extremely devastated!

Her passing on to glory has left me broken and completely overwhelmed.

Memories of our days and years together keep flooding my thoughts. She was my best lady in Kaduna during my wedding in 1968. She gave herself to counseling most of us who got married about the time as she was married before most of us. We shared everything in common and looked out for each other's welfare.

Even though my marriage ended abruptly after the passing of my husband in active service, she never left my side. She was always there for me as a support system. She was also committed to the 50th remembrance anniversary of my husband last year.

It is without a doubt that there is another irreparable void in me.

Grace, your passing has left me with fading memories. But I know that someday, we shall meet again and we will not be separated any longer.

Rest on dear friend.

Mrs. Aduke Maina

Dear Mummy,
I never knew that Sunday, the 31st January of January will be the last time I would see you. Though you were in pains, we still managed to have conversation and even promised buying you a flat slippers by my next visit. Alas, I was shocked by that early morning message that you are no more with us. In your later years, you were very caring and loving, calling just to hear my voice, asking after the children and my husband . I want to say a big thank you for the years I stayed with you in Ajao Estate before I got married. You were my sister, friend and mother. You left so suddenly without saying goodbye but I believe you are in a better place and have been reunited with Bros, the love of your life. I guess you just could not live without him. I will miss you greatly. Rest on Mummy in the bosom of our Lord.

Toyin Ogunlaiye

Dearest mummy, it was with shock and great sadness that I received the news… I wanted to ring you many times the day before but often got distracted and finally fell asleep without making that one last call. I regret that every day.
I met you at age 11, my best friend Tinuke’s mum in Command Secondary School, Ibadan in 1980. I saw you a few more times over the years but we became firm friend albeit mostly over the phone in the last decade and a half or so. We held each other’s confidence, we joked, we laughed, we cried, we commiserated with one another when things were not as we’d hoped, we supported each other. I became closer to you than my friends, Tinu and Ronke. We were kindred spirits, even Tinu once said I reminded her of you. We were just two people who loved each other, in spite of our age difference. You were like a mum to me but much more a friend. I deeply mourn your loss. You were beautiful, courageous, charming, loyal, regal, strong, faithful, formidable, indefatigable, hopeful and resilient! I’d imagined that I’d see you again and thought about things we’d do together… even when you had told me you were unwell, I never imagined it will lead to your demise. Well… we submit to God, as you would have wanted us to. I miss you, I love you and I will always remember you. E sun re o, mummy. Love you forever – Rita Adaba

Dearest Mum,
The rude shock of your death came to me on the family platform....i never knew the last time you called for the phone number of one of my cousin's was the last time I will hear your voice...
Though i asked after you when I spoke with Tobi few days before...I remember your caring and loving personality always asking after my family...thank you for looking after iyinoluwa for those moments she lived with you after graduation....those times i come around you always insist i get something to eat....you will come checking on us in the room making sure we're comfortable enough....I remember asking to be strong for us after Dad passed...but its obvious God had a better plan for you now that you are resting peacefully with your maker...Great my Dad and Mum...in Heaven...we will miss you greatly...
Bolanle Babarinde.

To think that “Mama Tinu” is no longer here is too painful to contemplate! She’s always been there; in my own case since I married her younger sister, Oyinkan!
Reliable, dependable and ever always loving with hardly a harsh word for anyone!
We miss you dearly....but....sleep on! You fought this battle well.......Adieu!