Afua Odame (Sister):

Our last conversation was entirely too brief. I had no idea that it would be the last time I heard your voice. Life... You see, there is no handbook that teaches us  how to deal with life's highs or lows... We all just live and deal the best way we know how, but Kwame lived his life to the fullest, despite the hand he was dealt.  Kwame is a great example to us all, that life is short and it is only what you make it. 

 This is the hardest thing I have EVER had to do! I wish I had a fraction of your strength, Kwame. I wish I could see your smile, or listen to you say "Afua, stop stressing the small stuff." I never understood what you meant when you would say that to me. I would tell you, "... But Kwame, Im not stressing, Im just mad." That would be my response because I didn't understand exactly what you meant until this moment - Do Not stress the small stuff!   If Only I took the time to remind you how much you mean to all of us, how much you mean to me... Maybe you wouldn't have left so soon; then again, who am I to question God's will?  Today, I just want to celebrate your life and great memories, then tomorrow make you proud.. I love you Kwame Odame, Until I see you again...

Sylvester Kissi (brother):
Hey Kwame,

Never thought I would be writing to you like this.  It’s been kind of difficult to start - still can’t believe you’re not here... It’s been really sad this last couple weeks...planning all this stuff…Once again, you got me doing something I wasn’t really trying to do. But you know what, there’s nothing I’d rather be doing. As sad as I am, I am still grateful.  Grateful and thankful you are my brother.  I am thankful for all the time we spend together, the trips we took, the places we went,  the plans we made, the arguments (over the stupidest things!)   – thanks Kwame. I hope I was ½ as good to you as you were to me.  There’s no one would rather roll with.  You truly made my life better.
I know you’re up there – ‘slap boxing with Jesus, licking shots with Joseph’– yea, you know 

I can’t wait to see you - we can still do some of the things we talked about!!

Can’t believe how much I miss you! I know we’ll meet up.

Love, Sly

Yaw Odame (brother) :
Today we lay to rest my brother. A man of true passion for his family, love for friends and a gentle soul who would do anything for anyone. Kwame was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease at an early age, but never let the disease control him. Over the years he has struggled with his health but he never complained, nor did he ever want anyone to know the pain he was going through. Kwame always tried to move on through life with a smile on his face and kept positive thoughts. Although there is a huge age gap between us, Kwame frequently sought my advice on many decisions that he made and that created a wonderful bond between us. I appreciate the role that Kwame took in the lives of my children, and how he really stepped up and became the wonderful Uncle they needed. Words can not describe how hard this has been for my Wife, Children and Family, but we are trusting that there is no more pain for him to endure. We love you Kwame and may your soul rest in eternal peace with God.

"When the day of toil is done.    When the race of life run, Father grant thy wearied ones rest forever” The above quotation sums up my feelings for Kwame whose sudden death shocked not only me, but the entire family and all those who knew him.  I was sitting on my balcony early on Thursday morning, 9th of June brooding over the events of the previous day. Just in the middle of my thoughts, the phone rang. I pick it up to answer and saw that it was Kwame's wife, Isabella. She was quite incoherent and could hardly speak. All I could hear was that Kwame had taken ill in the night had been rushed to the hospital and was in the intensive care unit. I started to pray because it was the only thing to do. 

O! Kwame, O! death where is thou sting?  The day March 23, 1974 was one of the happiest in my life. It was the day Kwame was born and it was special because I had waited for four years to finally get him.  Faith had proven once more that God will grant those who have patience with His blessing. He was a wonderful sight to behold and indeed it was a joyous occasion.   There were a lot of trials in his formative years, but the challenges were met with love and affection.   My mind reeds back to the formative years in Chicago where he grew up through primary, high school and to the University of Illinois where he graduated in 1995. O! He brought joy to the whole family, just by been Kwame.    To crown his happiness, he came to Ghana in 2012 with his brother Sly to spend the Xmas with dad.  I introduced him to my friend’s daughter, Isabella Agyekum, now Dr. Isabella ODAME. Kwame called me towards the end of 2013 and simply said dad I found love, and I want to do the marriage in Ghana. That was joy suprimo. They did the Traditional Marriage in January in 2014 and followed it with a blessing at the altar here in Naperville on 15th August 2015.   Why has death been unkind to me at this point in my life when Kwame and his siblings remain my source of inspiration and livelihood.  All the good things he initiated toward settling in his fatherland have been halted. The Almighty perhaps understands why better than us mortal beings so I will keep mute and offer thanks to Him.  What else can I say than to say adieu beloved son. The family and I will forever remember you. DA YIE, Kwame, May God be with YOU and keep smiling in the bosom of your Maker.  Farewell till we meet again!!!

Kwamelino, Babelino, Kwamo, Son o Son of mine,
A thousand times we needed you
A thousand times we cried
If love alone could have saved you
you never would have died
A heart of gold stopped beating
two twinkling eyes closed to rest
God broke our hearts to prove he only took the best
never a day goes by that you're not in my heart and my soul.

© Kimberly N. Chastain 

Babe, my world stopped on that awful day June 9th 2016. I lost the love of my life, the only man who made me feel complete. The only man who looked into my eyes and spoke to my soul. You taught me what love really is about and I’m forever indebted to you for that. We learned more about love in our time together than some will learn in a lifetime. You and I should have been able to live the next 50 years together, but I am still forever thankful that God gave us 4 incredible years together. The pain is hard to bear now and will always be. I still can’t believe you are gone. Without a clue or hint God called you home and took you away from me. I realized I’m not as strong as I thought I was, I pray for strength in order to carry on, but when evening falls I am helpless, sleep evades me because this is when I miss you most of all. You were my world and now my guardian angel. Our love was transcendental, I will love you forever here on earth till we meet again in GLORY.

Mr. Kwame A. Odame was born on March 23rd 1974 at the Prentice Hospital, Northwestern Memorial to Ms. Joyce A. Odame (nee Frazier) and Mr. Sampson D. Odame. Kwame was a happy baby and thrived in the nurturing and loving environment provided by his parents. At the age of 6, he enrolled at Lindop Grammar School in Broadview, Illinois where he excelled academically. He was selected to participate in the Science and Math Class at The University Chicago during the summers while in grammar school. After Lindop Grammar School, Kwame enrolled at Fenwick High School in Oak Park-Illinois where his academic achievements earned him a full-ride scholarship to University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

When Kwame graduated from University of Illinois, he briefly considered law school but ultimately decided to pursue a career in Information technology after completing several IT courses. He first worked at Sterling Engineering and then Computer Associates for a number of years before joining Transunion Corporation, where his role evolved from Software Engineer to Sr. Systems/Autosys Administrator and ultimately Team Lead for his group. During his career at Transunion, Kwame completed his MBA, made major strides in his IT career and created a large and enviable network. Kwame was a diligent and hardworking individual who was well liked among his peers.

Beyond his career, Kwame had a strong interest in mentoring children and was heavily involved in the “Real Men Read program,” a program initiated by the Chicago Public Schools where men from a wide range of professional backgrounds volunteer to read to students and promote positive role models.

Kwame also loved travelling, he made several trips to Ghana over the years to visit his father who had moved permanently to Ghana while Kwame was in college. It was during one of Kwame’s visits to Ghana in December 2012 that he met his future wife, Isabella Agyekum, who was also visiting Ghana from Massachusetts.  There was an instant connection between Kwame and Isabella, culminating in Kwame spending a significant amount of time in Massachusetts throughout their courtship. Kwame and Isabella got engaged and then married, after Isabella completed her medical residency training in Massachusetts.  Kwame and Isabella enjoyed a full life together, here in Illinois. They travelled to several exotic locations and were in the midst of planning a family when Kwame suddenly passed away on June 9th 2016.

Kwame is survived by his father Mr. Sampson D. Odame, his mother Ms. Joyce A. Odame, his wife Dr. Isabella Odame, his brothers Mr. Fred Odame, Mr Sylvester Kissi and his sister Ms. Afua Odame.


-by Isabella Odame