“A Life Well Lived”   You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength and your neighbor as thyself. (Deuteronomy 6:5)  

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. (Matthew 25:35-36)  

One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. (Psalms 27:4)  

Philip not only lived these commands, but fulfilled them.  

Philip Garway Vambram was born on October 30, 1959 unto the union of Mr.  & Mrs. Albert Vambram, in Zeogar Town, No. 1 District, Grand Bassa County. He was the first of seven siblings. His younger sister, Lucky, predeceased him. As the oldest child, Philip had the burden of setting the pace for the direction of the rest of his siblings. At the age of 8, he was taken to his grandmother, Chippay, in Gbewean. It was where he began his early education. Upon completion from elementary school in 1974, he moved to Lower Buchanan to live with his uncle, Alfred Vambram Potter, who predeceased him and enrolled at the Parish Day Episcopal school, where he attended for one year and later matriculated to the Bassa High School. During his years in high school, he learned to type on his own, and was very good at it. He graduated in 1980 from the Bassa High School. He was first employed with LAMCO, in a clerical position. He also served as Clerk of Court, at the Magistrate Court in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County.  

At an early age he accepted the Lord and later joined the Wilfield United Methodist Church, in Buchanan where he sang in the choir and was a drum beater. He also became president of the youth fellowship of his local church, and then president of the Grand Bassa District Youth Fellowship.

He led several delegations to national and international conferences throughout Liberia and Sierra Leone.  

In the later part of 1982, he gained employment with the Clerical Department of the Liberia Annual Conference, United Methodist Church – a position he served with diligence, dedication and commitment. As a result of his proficiency, he was elevated to the position of Secretary to the Bishop, Arthur F. Kulah. In 1986, he traveled to the United States on a scholarship, and resided at the Christian Center on the campus of Morgan State University. He attended the Sojourner Douglas College, but after funding for the scholarship ran out, Philip was constrained to drop out of college. He began the long journey to self-development. He worked several jobs as a house-keeper in several hotels, a factory worker, a limousine and Super Shuttle Driver and lastly as a registered nurse. While working as a Super Shuttle driver, he enrolled into Nursing School at Essex Community College, and graduated in 2002. Prior to graduation, he worked as a Student Nurse at the Good Samaritan Hospital for one year and later as a Registered Nurse on the Telemetry Unit for several years. He also worked at the Franklin Square Hospital, the University of Maryland Center, The VA Hospital and several Nursing Agencies. His last employment was with the DaVita Dialysis Center, in Baltimore City. He was a caring and compassionate nurse as well as diligent, proficient and competent. All the patients he encountered considered him an angel. My dad co-workers loved and adored him. He made them laugh, he was a team leader, his presence on a scheduled shift meant “a very good day” for the patients as well as his co-workers. His interactions brought smiles and joy to their hearts.  

Philip was an advocate for his people; a mobilizer, an organizer, and an excellent public speaker. He served three terms as President of the Liberian Association of Maryland (LAM) – the only person to lead the community on three separate terms. He was known as the Elijah of the community – always bringing the community together after periods of inactivity. When there were no cell phones, Philip would drive from house to house to speak with community members and encourage them to unit for their own benefits. He was instrumental in organizing Liberians in Maryland to go to Washington DC to lobby for TPS for undocumented Liberians.  

He met Antoinette Hopkins in 1995 and they were married in 1997. Their union was blessed with three brilliant young men, Samiyan, David and Kevin Vambram. My dad was a devoted father who worked so hard making sure our needs were met. He would work many overtime shifts because he was the bread winner. On his off days he attended to the cleaning of the house, laundering of our clothes and keeping our rooms organized. My dad was the best dad anyone would wish for.  

He was a founding member of the Peoples Community Lutheran Church – which began in the basement of Ms. Aletha Browne. As a faithful member, Philip served several positions including President of the Council, and was crowned Father of the Year 2006. He was a faithful and dedicated member. The members of Peoples will greatly miss my dad.  During occasions at the church he would say “brief and to the point”, but he spoke longer than the time allotted for him to speak. He always came up with stories, jokes and parables to make his Christian brothers and sisters laugh.  He would encourage members to empty their purses and wallets when it came to raising funds for the growth of church.  

He was also a founding member of the Maryland Chapter of UNIBOA–Amoh-Bedo and Secretary General for the National Association (UNIBOA). He was a member of several other associations including the Bassa High School Alumni Association, Galatians Chapter 6 Prayer Line, Grand Gedeh/Zewdru Multilateral High School Associations and supported many organizations and associations – including the BWI Alumni Association, the North American Liberian Adventist Association (NALAA), the Bong County Association and the United Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA).  

In June 2012 my dad was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer. He succumbed to this illness in death on March 29, 2014 at 1:20 pm on Saturday. My dad fought this battle with grace, pride and dignity.  He remained faithful in God until God’s expected end arrived. My dad fought a good fight and he won the race. He has received his crown in glory.  

A big, big thank you to his soul mate Maconi who stood by him during this journey.  Maconi, may God bless you for the rest of your life. You are an angel and you made my dad happy and proud. You loved him to the end. Thanks for allowing my dad to spend his last few days in the comfort of your home. Thank you for sharing those sleepless nights with my dad. Thank you for the time you took him to the hospital and clinic for treatments. Thank you for time you took to prepare whatever he wanted to eat; though after preparation, he did want to eat what you have prepared. Thanks for your patience.  

Dad, carry your candle and light the world and let the brightness of your life and the fond memories of you blossom forever. Sleep well dad. His favorite Psalms was the 23rd Psalms. I beg your indulgence if the PCLC choir could sing The 23rd Psalms. Thanks.   My dad was a jovial person; full of humor and always willing to help his fellowman. He was a humble person, never too big to do anything if he could. No sacrifice was too big for my dad.
  
Philip is survived by his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Albert Vambram, Mrs. Mary Vambram Potter, three biological and two adopted children, Samiyan, David and Kevin Vambram, Isaiah Abel Vambram, wife Maconi Logan Vambram, several brothers and sisters including Catherine Vambram Potter, Mrs. Naomi Saywrayne and Pastor Philip Saywrayne, Regina Sleyon, Frances Potter, Evangeline Johnson, Victoria Monway Paasewe and Mbemba Paasewe, Andrew Monway, Hawah Gbah, JustinaTarr, Levi, Ruth, Maunbon, Boy Jame and jainjay Vambram, aunties: Martha   Tarr Monway, Annie Tarr Lincoln, Bayon Tarr, Sarah Tarr, uncles: Pastor Daniel Nankay, Peter Tarr.  Other children include Mrs. Nyemade Williams Kaizer and Dr. Victor kaizer, Patience Williams, Cyrus Russell, Joy Kennedy Boateng and Lawrence Boateng, Victoria, Lorpu, Sean and Andrea Weah. Honorable and Mrs. William K Glay, in-laws.  Several nieces and nephews: Dorothy Monway,Teta and Cynthia Nankay, Elkaneh Saywrayne, Emmanuel, Belloh and Bill Harris and others, several cousins, ex-wife Antoinette Hopkins, several adopted sisters and brothers, church family and a host of relatives, friends and well wishers.

May the soul of our most loving Philip and the souls of all the faithful departed in the mercy of God, rest in peace.

The Vambram and Logan families with deep sorrow, mournful hearts announce the home going of Mr. Philip G. Vambram. Philip was a man with strong community ties.  He served his community in Baltimore and across the United States and Liberia diligently for many years.  He was a dedicated father, a dependable relative, a compassionate leader, a wise counselor, a faithful friend, and a passionate Christian.  He was a man who greatly cherished his Liberian roots and native Bassa heritage. 

In the words of Philip, "I am the Man of Interest but now I'm the Chosen One," metaphorically referring to his relationship with his fiancee Marconi Logan whom he loved so dearly.

On March 29, 2014, Philip lost his battle with cancer and succumbed to the power of death, as a transition into the arms of his Lord and savior Jesus Christ. He leaves to mourn his Faithful fiancée and friend Maconi Logan, parents Albert and Wraysaykpah Vambram in Liberia, His loving siblings: Catherine Vambram Potter, Levi, Ruth, James, Muanbun, Jainjay, and Naomi Saywrayne, His uncle Rev, Daniel W. Nankay, Aunt Martha Monway his sons: Sameyan, David, Kevin; adopted sons Elijah and Victor, ex-wife Antoinette Hopkins and host of relatives and friends both in Liberia and the United States; who were impacted, in various ways, by his cheerful personality, wise counsel, love and friendship.