Last week, the remains of Deaconess Oluwafunmilayo Florence Anifowose (nee Ayeni Aribidege) was laid to rest in the ancient city of Ibadan. The beautiful woman popularly called Mama Pupa or Mama Ibadan was 78 when she passed on.
It was a 2 day rite of passage in Ibadan. It started on Thursday 4th of March, 2021 with Service of Songs and Wake Keep at her residence at ANIFOWOSE House, No 2 Mosque Close, Irorun Oluwa Estate, Safem Bus Stop, Sola, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Then on Friday 5th of March, 2021, there was Lying-in-state, Burial Service & Interment at her residence. Lets tell you a little about DEACONESS OLUWAFUNMILAYO FLORENCE ANIFOWOSE who was a woman with a great heart, a people person, kind and gentle in spirit. She was a follower of Christ till the end–reasons some call her u Iya Adura”.
Born in Ibadan (Ekotedo street) in 1943, Oyo State, Nigeria to the family of Oisa Jacob Aribidege and mama Filichia Bolaji Aribidege of Ikere Ekiti, (then Ondo State, Nigeria). Both her parents later moved to the city of Ibadan for business. Deaconess Oluwafunmilayo F. Anifowose was the eldest member ofthe 4th generation of Olumilua Descendants in Ikere Ekiti.
Deaconess Oluwafunmilayo Anifowose also popularly called U Mama Pupa” ,or U Mama Ibadan” was a devout Christian who love God, people and children. She was a great councilor who used words of comfortto soothe anyone during their challenging times.
She was a faithful and dedicated child of God who served in numerous groups and activities. She was an active member of Saint Paul Anglican Church Yemetu Ibadan, and others before she became a member ofthe church choir at Four Square Parish Olaogun, Iwo Road Ibadan.
Deaconess Oluwafunmilayo F. Anifowose lived in United Kingdom for a short period before she moved to the United States in 2014 and became a member of the Elder’ s group at RCCG Jesus House Chicago (JHC), USA. Mummy dancing during choir ministrations at JHC was an epitome of her fervent loveforworship and honorto God.
Deaconess Oluwafunmilayo Florence Anifowose’ s life and memories will be cherished and alive forever with those she left behind. She is survived by children, grand and great grant children, siblings, in-laws, the extended family and friends.
She moved to Ibadan with her parents in the 50s and began her primary school education which she completed. She could not continue her education through higher learning because of the death of her father. Mummy Oluwafunmilayo was a person that loves trading and because of this, mummy moved to Lagos to start a business. She did not only start a business; she fell in love with her late husband Chief Rasak Abubakar Anifowose in 1962.
Deaconess Oluwafunmilayo Anifowose, also popularly called “Mama Pupa” ,or “Mama Ibadan’ was a devout Christian who love God, people and children. She was a great councilor who used won of comfortto soothe anyone during their challenging times. She was a faithful and dedicated child of God who served in numerous groups and activities. She We an active member of Saint Paul Anglican Church Yemetu Ibadan, and others before she became member ofthe church choir at Four Square Parish Olaogun, Iwo Road Ibadan.
She lived in United Kingdom for a short period before she moved
to the United States in 2014 and became a member of the Elder’ s group at RCCG Jesus House Chicago (JHC), USA. Mummy dancing during choir ministrations at JHC was an epitome of her ferve love for worship and honor to God.
Her life and memories will be cherished and alive forever with those she left behind. She is survived by children, grand and great grant children, sibling, in-laws, the extended family and friends.
Her children & family members paid tribute to her exemplary life. Her daughter wrote this:
My darling mother,
“Mummy, Mrs Oluwafunmilayo Florence Anifowose. You were an epitome of a Superwoman. Beautiful inside and out. You single-handedly raised us, your children, since Daddy went to the Lord almost half a century ago. You raised us well. You sacrificed yourself for us, loved us unconditionally, but you only loved God more.
I will forever be in awe of you Mummy. I wish I could be half the mother you were to us. I will forever be indebted to you Mummy. You were a mother to all who came your way. You were the glue that held all the families together. You loved to dance. Keep dancing Mum, keep dancing. Rest in The Lord’s Bosom Beautiful Soul. I will always, love you.”
BOOKIE ANIFOWOSE (DAUGHTER)
My mummy, my dear mum,
“Abiyamo toooto, Abiyamo lojo gbogbo. Iya ni Iya mi. My mother. Despite all the pains that lingers in the core of my being, I have to let it go. As the tears roll down and I seek peace to stop the pain, I pray to God to grant you eternal rest. You are the most caring and selfless person that I have ever known. You give it all in everything.
You put everyone before yourself. You love God first. You are a very smart woman whom I have always looked up to. Without the love and support you gave me, I would not be where I am today. You helped me spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically. You believed so much in my abilities and your support meant the world to me because it makes me strive to be the best that I can be.
You slept with the Lord in my arms. That special face, smiles and personality can never be replaced. Mummy. You filled a space in me that no one can ever replace in my life. I love you mum. You are very much a very big part of whom I am today.
I am so lucky to be part of your life because you touched many of our lives in so many ways. An amazing mother, you have time for both nuclear, extended families and continue to watch over us all when you were in England and from Chicago. You were a devoted Christian, a mother, a grandmother, great grandmother.
Rest well Mummy. Rest well in the Bosom of our Lord God whom you served till the end. Odigbere, Odarinako, Od’ojuala, ka tun to nra wa ….. Amiin. Omo Olosunta Orun Ikere. Omomo Olumilua. Alapa nsanpa, ota e bi Sunre 000.”
ABIODUN ANIFOWOSE ADEGOKE (DAUGHTER)
Dear mother, how can I describe the depth of your undying love in my heart. The love I have towards you is beyond any human imaginations because it was Gods ordained. I love you more than I love my self. I cannot eat until you eat, I cannot sleep till you sleep, I cant even stand a fly to touch you-NEVER.
These were things you showed us when we were young. Mum, you brought me to know God and I am glad that you witnessed
Gods divine relationships in my life before He took’ you home. Mummy, remember many times I said whatever would happen to you must come through me first. God knew and that was why He showed me your place in His Glory two days before your transition.
That gave me boldness and succor to smile when I got the great news of your call to glory. Mummy, your trials in life are unfathomable, you went through it all and when God came through-the sky was your limit. I am glad that you had a great life. I love you mum. You will forever be in my heart. I miss you so much mum, crazy, deeply madly. I will see again in Heaven.
ADEWALE ANIFOWOSE (SON)
My precious mother.
“My mummy mat I know is my mother. She gave me life because she loved me a 100%. My mother. She suffered so much for me when I was young. Times, she cried for me because she wanted my happiness. I love my mother. The best of the best mothers in the world. The most important person in my life. Mother of Kings and Queens, most responsible Princess of Ikere-Ekiti. My lovely mother left me on the day that will NEVER be forgotten in my life. Mama mi … May your Soul Rest in Peace. Sleep well mummy”.
DEKUNLE ANIFOWOSE (SON)
My Mom,
“You’ve been the source of my progress, cheerfulness, courage, and a strong pillar upon which I rest. You taught me to be generous and God fearing, even when you were bed-bound and could not talk, you beckoned on me to do good to others, you prayed for me even when I could not comprehend what you were saying, but seeing you raising your hands up is explicitly and unambiguously clear to me that, you were praying for me and my siblings. Rest peacefully in the bosom of your Creator Mom.”
OLUMIDE A. ANIFOWOSHE (SON)
A Special Mother is hard to find. Maami you are not only a mother to me, you are my best friend and my role model. A mother that doesn’t criticize or judge but sees good in everything you do. You served God throughout your life time. I cant forget how you wake us up to pray every morning and night. I will always remember the good times we shared totogether. Abiyamo tooto, you are a loving and caring mother.
I would have asked questions from God “why” but I believe that 2 Timothy 4: 6-8 came to pass in your life and verse 9 is an instruction to us. Maami, I can’t seem to forget the hour of your last breath which I witnessed. You are a very strong woman and I would forever miss you.lya Olasunbo good night.
Your look – alike daughter
OLASUNBO SHITTU
Our beloved Grandma,
“When we heard the news that you’ve departed to be with the Lord, we became shattered. It was a day of melancholy yet a happy one in the Lord. One of the few people in the world that we trust is no more. With faith we must accept whatever happens to us in life, because life itself is a gift from God.
We are consoled in the vein that you have duly served your purpose on earth in the best possible way. When we had nothing or no one, we had you Grandma. You taught and showed us the way of the Lord. If we were to choose our grandma again, we would choose you a million times. Rest in peace Grandma, we will never forget you and we will always love you.”
Your Grand and Great Grand Children
Dear mother,
“It was a big shock when I heard the news of your transition to glory, though I don’t want to let go but I have better understanding that where you are is better than this sinful world So mum keep resting till we meet to part no more at the feet of our Savior Jesus Christ. Love you”
Afolakemi (Your Last born)
In Okun o! Molebi
The home call to glory of Mommy Funmilayo Anifowose is another milestone in the history of our family. Mommy Funmilayo F Anifowose was the eldest member of the 4th generation of Olumilua Descendants in Ikere Ekiti. Mommy Anifowose was with her children outside Nigeria for the past few years, but when she possibly heard from the Lord that it was time for herto come home, she repeatedly told her children that ‘iku to ma pa mi, ko 10 pa mi si Nigeria’. She went to be with the Lord precisely one month after she returned back to Nigeria. We pray that Mommy Funmilayo Anifowose’s Soul rests in Perfect Peace with our Lord and maker.”
The OIumilua Descendant Family
Memories of my relationship with Mommy Anifowose was as a pleasant, caring, prayerful and motherly woman. When I was in Secondary school boarding house in the early 1970s, I remember travelling to Ibadan to spend a couple of my mid-term holidays with her at Yemetu. She treated me like her son. Mommy Anifowose always reminds me of my late mum whenever she called me my full name. She consistently called me Oluwagbemiga in her lifetime, like my late mum used to call me. My family was happy to have Mommy Anifowose spend few weeks with us at home (Houston, Texas) in December 2014. We are grateful that Mommy Anifowose showed us her characteristic love and consideration by choosing to travel backto Nigeria before going to be with the Lord.
Oluwagbemiga Agboola
Mommy Anifowose was 3 years older than her uncle- our current Olori Ebi. Some of Mommy Anifowose’s children are also older than some of her uncles and aunties in the 3rd generation of Olumilua descendants. Interesting genealogy!
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