How Madam Theresa Enisuoh was Laid to Rest: Funeral Mass, Burial and Reception
Following the announcement earlier made by the Enisuoh family on the demise of their mother and grandmother, the remains of Madam Theresa Virginia Enisuoh was laid to rest at noon yesterday, Saturday, 27th April, 2024.
Late Madam Theresa Enisuoh was the mother of five children: Captain Warredi Enisuoh, Mrs. Erebi Khan, Mr. Akpoebimowei Enisuoh, Mr. Ebedi Enisuoh and Mr. Ebiala Enisuoh.
Her eldest son, Captain Warredi Enisuoh, is the Head of Operations and Technical, Tantita Security Service Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), a leading private security firm saddled with the responsibility of safeguarding crude oil pipelines in the Niger Delta.
As with funeral masses, the remains laid in state at St. Peters Catholic Church, Agbere, in the early hours of Saturday, April 27, 2024, surrounded by a gathering of close knitted immediate and extended family members, friends, loved ones and members of her indeginous community in Agbere.
Late madam Theresa Enisuoh lived 80 memorable years on earth so that while her loved ones will miss her dearly, fond memories of her love, support and the strong family values she left behind will stay with her family and friends for a long time.
The entrance to St. Peters Catholic church was decked in purple backdrops tonned in white, cream coloured garlands, gold coloured candle stands sitting on two tables, one on each side of the entrance with white lit candle sticks.
Officiating Priest charge congregants to righteous living
The officiating Priest at the funeral mass, Reverend Father Cletus Okonkwo, charged congregants to see death as a price everyone must pay and as such imbibe a lifestyle of righteousness before God.
He maintained that while enjoying the good things of life is good and pleases the body, doing so alone will not take one to heaven.
“My dear brothers and sisters, you don’t know where you will meet Jesus. Today is Mama’s turn. Tomorrow is whose turn? It may either be mine or yours. For this burial, many emphasis is on the merriment that goes with it. These things are perfectly good for the living but they will not take you to heaven.”
Fr. Okonkwo also bemoaned the lack of development and dearth of basic amenities in many communities in the Niger-Delta region and called on well-meaning individuals to commit their resources to the development of these communities.
Taking the congregation through the harrowing experience that many residents in the rural Niger Delta communities live, he explained that many have died in the process of traveling long distances to the city for basic care.
“When I was young, I used to hear of the Niger-Delta as an oil producing region. It is however shocking to see the lack of development in the region due to the lack of basic infrastructure despite the huge abundance of resources.
“I have lost count of the number of people that I have lost since I was posted to this area. The only hospital around here are located at Kaiama and Yenagoa and most times before we can get to the hospital, the sick children would have died.
“So, if you are well-to-do and influential, please go back to your communities to make considerable impact. It is the legacy that you leave behind that will be spoken of long after you are departed,” he advised.
He commended the Enisuoh family for the effort put in to give their late mother a befitting burial.
Glamour and tributes at the funeral reception of late Madam Theresa Enisuoh
The same rich adornment of purple and white picture walls, garlands of off white, lilac, and powder pink lined the entrance to the tent which housed over 300 guests who gathered in honour of late Mrs. Enisuoh.
Three room size cyclical chandeliers, bouquets of flowers, three tables with aesthetic candles lined each side of the hall, more garlands of green, off white and a light shade of pink lay on tables on each side of the hall which had been divided by a walk way.
To the right hand side of the entrance stood a line of caterers with an assortment of food portioned in gold coloured serving bowls. The general scenery resonated grandeur such that although the event was solemn, it had the amabience of a celebration.
It was an afternoon of tributes as family members and friends came in their numbers to recount memories with the deceased.
According to her first child, Captain Warredi Enisuoh, although the incident came as a shock, her days on earth has impacted in him virtues of “love, patience, tenacity and endurance” which has become strong pillars of strength for him.
Recounting their journey through life, he said: “During my days as a pilot, I used to find fun in going to Canada to take her out on mother’s day. She reminds me of all the girls I dated in my life.
“She loved shopping. When we go to the shop, she would pick this and pick that and pick that and I’d tell her “mom, who would pay for all of these?” She would say; “shut up. You would pay.” After everything, I’d pay. She would carry her bag in one hand and she would tell me to give her my arm.
“She would put her hand in my arm on the streets of Canada. When I protested, she would ask, “why can’t I hold your hand on the street?” I used to tell her they would think I married an old woman in Canada to get Visa. In all, we had a very great time.
“Her passing on shocked me but it is her life that impacted me. She encouraged me so much, she showed me love and tenacity even through the times of trial, she encouraged me.”
On his part, Mama’s last child, Mr. Ebiala Enisuoh, stated that her passion for seeing the family united would remain with him through life. Ebiala noted that mama was his support system throughout her life time and he would sorely miss her.
Also, late madam Enisuoh’s daughter-in-law, Mrs. Chinazor Enisuoh explained that the deceased was her confidant and a strong source of strength during turbulent periods in her marriage. She continued by saying that while the deceased has gone to be with God, she would continue to treasure and uphold her words of advice and encouragement.
She said: “I am a daughter-in-law to Mama like I always called her. She never saw me during the early years of my marriage. We kept talking on phone. When she came to Nigeria was the first time of meeting her. I used to have a challenge in marriage at the time.
“She would always tell me, ‘if you continue to stay with this children, If you stay and take care of them, you would gain it.’ She would always call two days before our birthdays. She knows everyone’s birthday, including the children.
“You might even forget but she would remind you saying this child’s birthday is in two day’s time. Mom was the pillar I had that supported me. As I stand now, if there is anybody that would miss her, it’s me.
“There was this petty gossip we do together. She would say don’t tell anybody and I would say don’t tell anybody. I’d say it’s only you that I am telling and she’d say you can trust me. And we would seal it at that. It was the relationship.
“May the Lord Almighty continue to watch over her soul for the peace she has brought to the family. I told her that I would continue to do my best to make sure the family is united and I would continue to take care of the children.”
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