UYO
The remains of the late Mma Grace Okon Etuk, Nee Grace Patrick Ekpo, aged 84, have been laid to rest in style.
The funeral service conducted by the Sanctified Mount Zion Church at Sacramento Playground, Edet Akpan Avenue, Uyo, drew the creme de la creme of the political and business class to pay their last respects to the octogenarian.
The biography of the deceased read by one of her grand daughters, Dr Daisy Obiora, described the late Mrs Grace Etuk as a trained nurse, civil engineering contractor and restauranteur of repute who sacrificed her comfort to train and shape the career paths of her children. It added that she was married to the late Engr Okon Akpan Etuk of Ikot Obuko in Ibesikpo Austan Local Government Area, a union that was blessed with nine lovely children, with eight of them on hand to bid her a final farewell.
In his tribute at the funeral service, a son of the departed octogenarian, and managing director and chief executive officer of Oliver Tweest eatery, Mr. Anniekan Etuk, spoke glowingly about the virtues of his late mother.
Etuk, who is also a member of the Board of Trustees of Government Secondary School Afaha Eket Alumni Association (GSSAEAA), described his late mother as a caring matron, loving mother and devoted Christian, who shone the light for her children to take after, little wonder he is running a fast food restaurant business, just like his late mom.
He further disclosed that his late mom radiated love wherever she entered, a trait he said would make her passing even more unbearable.
Delivering his sermon at the service, Apostle Victor Bassey of Ifa Atai Etoi superintendency of the church, eulogised the virtues of their departed member, describing her as an epitome of an upright Christian and urged the crowd of sympathisers to emulate her virtues of love and Christian charity as these were essential commodities required of every follower of Christ.
There were also goodwill messages from the rich pool of sympathizers. First to speak was wife of the Senate President, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, represented by the commissioner designate, Federal Character Commission, Mrs Eunice Thomas. She eulogized the virtues of the late octogenarian and urged her children to be consoled by those fond memories.
Also speaking, the secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, regaled the audience with stories of growing up under the wings of the deceased, visiting and taking meals in her restaurant, courtesy of his long standing friendship with one of her sons, Mr Anniekan Etuk. He prayed the good Lord to console his good friend and the entire family on the passing of their matriarch.
Other speakers at the service included the commissioner for economic development, Dr. Linus Nkan; general manager and Editor-in-Chief of Akwa Ibom Newspaper Corporation, publishers of The Pioneer Newspapers, Mr Umoette Umoette, who is a son in-law to the deceased, among others.
They all relived their fond memories with the departed and wished her peaceful rest in the bosom of Abraham.
Other highlights of the funeral service were congregational hymns, special songs by the Uyo diocesan headquarters and the Etoi district choirs, testimonies about the deceased delivered by a representative of the family, the church and the village as well as special prayers for the family.
The late Dcns (Mrs.) Grace Okon Etuk, Nee Grace Patrick Ekpo, aged 84 years, is survived by eight children, 23 grand children, 6 great grand children, numerous in-laws, among them are Mr. Anniekan Etuk, the managing director and chief executive officer of Oliver Tweest eatery and Mrs Eunice Umoette Umoette, the wife of the general man
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