Memories shared with loved ones are great, but with such a gem as Grandma, it's what I call perfection. To have the opportunity to live around, speak, relate with Grandma is a fact I will forever be grateful to God for. I remember when we stayed together in the same compound with Grandma, when I was still very little. I fell and Grandma shouted "Jesus". I was scared that something else happened, but fortunately it was because of me Grandma shouted. One statement she made to me as little as I was , that I promise to never forget was "Anytime You Fall Like That Call Jesus". Granny was very close with Christ, such that anytime she needed anything she called on Christ first.
Grandma was kind, she made you feel big in your little self. I'll miss your faint, thin voice. I'll miss the way you call me Babara, and my little brother Ifihan. Grandma had like a pet name for everyone, you'll know when Grandma is around. Hearing the testimonies about your life and death, things you did and said before God called you, actions you took has challenged my relationship with God. I could not help but wish, that when God comes calling, it will be as reconciling as yours.
                                                 Rest on Granny
                                                 Babara.

Auntie mi,

Thank you for making an indelible impact in the lives of everyone around you. You always reflected the extremely rare virtue of "others over self." All the pointed advice you gave me will forever be cherished because of the foundation of unquestionable love you had built. You were never dismissive and always listened with rapt attention. Your memory will always bring a smile to my face. Rest on my dear Auntie. You are well loved!

It's hard doing this. I've come to this site thrice and it does not get any easier. I may not have been the closest I now wish I was with you, but the few times spent with you remain ever dear and precious. There are many questions and many of them would likely remain unanswered for a long time. But, what is certain is you lived, you loved and were loved.
You have gone to rest, Aunty.
We take solace in that.

Dear Aunty Funmi,

My earliest memory of you were stories told me by my mum and other aunties, of the baby rhymes you formed specially for me as a toddler. You would sing, " Bakutu mi, bobon boyo, bakutu mi" and I would respond "Batutu mi- bobon boyo ". According to them, anytime I saw, you, I would call your attention by singing the song even before you start singing. Truly when you returned to Nigeria and we met, that was the first song you sang for me and my heart melted at such love and attention. I have been endeared to your loving and cheerful spirit since then because no dull moments with you...always gisting and encouraging me anytime we see or talk.

It is so hard to write this tribute...because it makes it official that you are no more with us. I am sad and heartbroken but I rest in the assurance that you are in a better place where there is no sickness, tears or sorrow.
I pray that the God of all comforts, comfort all of us especially Uncle Yinka, Simi, Sayo, Tosolu and Foluto.

Rest on beloved aunty till we meet on the resurrection morning.

'Tayo Olaleye (Nee Akinpelu)

Life is but a walking shadow a poor player that struts and frets his time upon the stage and is heard no more. It is like a story told by an idiot full of sound and fury signifying nothing. What is this life but a shadow, a mist, a vapour. It vanishes away.
I keep remembering how I saw you that day 19th of June 2021 which was the last day of seeing you alive I find it difficult to believe that you are no more. It saddens me when I think that whenever I come to Osogbo, I will not see you again sister Fummi, I really miss you. I will never hear again that sonorous voice when you sing and your radiant smile too. No matter the level of our love for you God loves you most. sleep on till we meet at the river that Angels feet have trodden.

It took a while for me to realize that there were many of my Aunties in Osogbo, I always thought that Mummy Simi was the "mummy osogbo" until I was later enlightened. This just shows to how much extent she is and was one of the best Auntie's to have. Her smile, her fashion sense, her energy was constant no matter how the environment moved. I am really grateful that I got to talk with you and be not just a relative but I also found a friend in you ma. I will really miss you ma. This event was totally unexpected and I will miss you
Enjoy Heaven ma.
I love you!

Every time I needed a home away from home, it was almost reflex to think about you.
I loved every moment spent listening to you and sharing your home and indeed your life. Your life and stories were instructive and grounding. I have only memories of you taking life in good stride.
Of all my experiences as an adult, you were one of the firmest but respectful ones. You weren’t looking to impose or push your way into anything or any space. But you were needed and more so desired in hearts including mine.
Every one of the years I spent in Osogbo, I knew that I could trust you to hear me and pray for me, and share with me. I am only comforted by the peace and assurance you had in your life. I believe that you would want your memories to remain just as beautiful and amazing as you were. I love you, Aunty, I don’t think I got to tell you this. I hope that, somehow, you knew.

Aunty mi,
I am grateful for that last conversation we had. There is always sincerity with a thankful undertone everytime we spoke. You loved everyone like your own and selfless to a fault. Aunty, we are sad and heartbroken that we cannot see you physically but we rejoice because you are at the best place where there is no pain, sorrow and tears. Aunty, we love you and we pray for peace, comfort and healing for Uncle mi, Sinmi, Sayo, Tosolu & her family, Foluto and the extended family. Good night Aunty Mi

Tribute to a Jewel of Inestimable Value

*It is goodnight and never goodbye*

I remember when I first met you... the warm hug you gave to me is still fresh in my mind;

And then you added the lovely smile and your voice said in a very sincere tone ... "dearest Dotun, you are very welcome to the Afolayan family, we love you"...

You were a very pleasant person, ever warm and I appreciate every opportunity to be around you... This is because after every encounter, the experience always last long in my being because of the goodness and sweetness of those moments with you.

You radiated Christ love effortlessly and crowned it all with such priceless truthful smile ...

Aunty, we love you and we can't find it in us to say goodbye...

So, it's goodnight and never goodbye... till we all wake up in the morning... to never part again...
Have a pleasant resting period ma.

Your smile has always been charming all the time I met you in Ile- Ife at Grandpa's place, in Ibadan and the last time I saw you in November 2019 at my sister's wedding. I never knew that would be the last time I will see your smiling face, hmmmmmmmmm. Your sense of humor was a great one, ever cheerful with everyone both young and old, small and great. I will surely miss your smiling face at the family events. Till we meet again, you are greatly missed ma. We love you nevertheless God loves you more.

Tribute to the Beautiful One-Mrs Grace Olufunmilayo Afolayan 1952-2021. This is to appreciate God's grace in the life lived by our sister Mrs Grace Oluwafunmilayo Afolayan, fondly called 'mum Sinmi'
To say we are shocked and devastated by your sudden departure is an understatement. You were a gift from God to your family and our family (the Ogunrantis and Afolayans). You were an epitome of love, beauty and radiance. You were beautiful within and without. Your life will continue to be lived out through the wonderful children you produced and nurtured. We give glory to God for who you were. For us, we would have loved to have you forever on this side of the earth but glory be to God "we shall meet beyond the river, where the surges cease to roll." Sleep on in the bosom of your God, sleep on till the resurrection morning when the dead in Christ shall rise, sleep on till we meet to part no more. Rev. Dr Adenike Oladeji nee Afolayan

Sister Funmi: I can't even look at your face here with dry eyes, let alone imagine you are gone. The journey has been long: From Ibadan to Osogbo; to Davis, California; Madison, Wisconsin; Twin Cities, Minnesota; Edwardsville, Illinois; back to Osogbo and everything in-between, we've traveled this journey together. When you worked 18 hours a day, three jobs at a stretch, spending and being spent for your family, I was a witness to it. May God honor you for being a support to my brother - your husband, my nieces - your daughters, and my nephew - your son! You know very well that I mean it when I say We Love You; We Miss You; and We Thank You!

Kò burú, Sister Funmi, aládùúgbò ìí dóla; yio màa dàárò o!

Your "Olóóko Bàáà Mi"; aka "Uncle 'Dejo"

Mummy Foluto, as I fondly called you by the name of your son that I am acquainted with, you were lovely and attractive to be with. Your smile alone could warm the heart. You are an epitome of beauty. For You were fearfully and wonderfully made. Your departure was a shock and unexpected. That made it to be very very painful. I pray that God will heal the wound created in the heart of the Afolayans.
Engr (Dr.) Stephen and Agnes Afolayan