ForeverMissed
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Her Life

BIOGRAPHY

March 27, 2019

Chief Mrs Esther Modupe Akinyemi was born on Saturday Feb 14, 1942 in Oshogbo to Pa Jacob Adekunbi from Erinmope Ekiti and Madam Wuraola Adekunbi from Osi in Kwara State, both now late.

Being the first daughter of a foremost Elder and convert of Apostle Joseph Ayodele Babalola (Founder of the CAC Worldwide), she commenced catechism at a tender age of 4 and was indoctrinated into the ethos of the Christ Apostolic Church. Her father, late Pa Jacob Adekunbi was the first Baba Ijo of CAC Latona Osogbo which now is the District Coordinating Council Headquarters. Late Pa Jacob Adekunbi, a fervent Christian, though did not have the opportunity to acquire western education, ensured that all his children, in particular the girls went to school. This was against the common practice as at that period that educating a girl child was not priority. Pa Adekunbi believed proper education is a precursor of success and should not be an option but a right and more so for the girl child. Hence, he ensured all his children regardless of gender went to school.   

Mrs Modupe Akinyemi attended CAC Primary School Latona Oshogbo starting at a tender age of 4 and later the African Church Secondary-Modern School Osogbo where she obtained her Primary School Teachers Certification upon graduation in 1956. A keen sports person, she was a key member of both the school’s female net ball team and the athletics team. 

She began her teaching career in Osogbo at CAC Primary School Latona where she met her beloved late husband Pa Timothy Oluwatayo Oyebode Akinyemi and they got married on January 15, 1962.

The young couple began their life together in Bishop Street, Osogbo as Teachers and later moved to Yemetu Amokoko, Ibadan in 1968. They lived and nurtured their family in Ibadan until the creation of Ondo state in 1976. They finally moved and settled in Akure in 1978.

A doting mother and loving wife, she dutifully combined her responsibilities on the home front with her career development. She attended UMC Teachers Training College in Oke-Ado Ibadan in the seventies where she obtained her Grade 2 Teachers Certificate and later the prestigious University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in pursuit of higher qualifications in her teaching profession.

A professional teacher, she taught in several schools both in Ibadan and Akure. Amongst them were

Olubi Memorial Primary School Elekuro Ibadan, St Stephen Primary School Akure, Ijapo Estate Primary School, Akure.  She retired from active teaching in 1999.

Iya Jide as she was fondly called by her neighbours in Osogbo and later Ibadan was a bridge builder, standard bearer, upright, bold and a lover of people.

A devoted Christian, an Ordained Deaconess and an Intercessor, she was until her transition the Matron (Iya Ijo) of the Spring of Life Bible Church, Ijapo Estate Akure. She was a staunch believer in the power of prayers, and a prayer warrior par excellence. 

After the demise of her husband in 2013, she dedicated herself to the care of widows and hospitality ministry in her church.

A lover of children, a selfless mother, she loved reading, cooking and travelling. She always desired to sojourn and experience the Holy land first hand; a desire she fulfilled when she participated in the RCCG organised Jerusalem Pilgrimage in 2016.  It was quite an experience for her as she fondly reminisced about that event being a life impacting one.  

She was the first daughter of her parents and a rallying point for all her siblings; her late elder brother Pa Ipede Aremu Adekunbi; whom she fondly called Boda mi, her younger ones Elder Adebayo Adekunbi, Mrs Olufunmilayo Babatunde (nee) Adekunbi and Mr Tunde Adekunbi, her numerous cousins, nieces and nephews have good testimonies to tell about her. Her positive impact on their lives will outlast her fond memories. 

She was a rare mother, devoted to her husband and was always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. She was ordained a Deaconess in the Beautiful Gate Mission Akure and also Yeye Ajiware of the Beautiful Gate Mission 

A loving mother and grandmother, she was translated to Glory on January 26, 2019. 

She is survived by: Jide & Yinka, Segun & Nike, Olumide & Doyin, Muyiwa & Bunmi, Sola & Ada, Tolu & Oluwasola, Seun , many grandchildren, brothers, sister, nieces, nephews and cousins. 

She was a founding member of Merry May Sisters’ Club Akure and also of the Amiable Sisters’ Club of Akure.

It was a glorious testimony that she was translated to Glory with her Bible in her hands praying and confessing scriptures.

Goodnight Mama until the Resurrection morning when we shall all meet at the feet of our Lord Jesus Christ to part no more.