Funeral Arrangements Are As Follows
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted (KJV)
The late Mrs. Theodora Agyeiwa Manful also known as Theodora Agyeiwa Obeng, Yaa Agyeiwa or Yaa Donkor and affectionately called Auntie Goodnews was born on the blessed day of 11th January 1935 in Agogo Asante Akyem. She was born to her lovely parents, Opanin Yaw Obeng and Madam Felicia Bempomaa who nurtured her to commence and accomplish her God-given mission on earth. As the saying goes, if you educate a woman, you educate a nation, thus, Opanin Yaw Obeng and Madam Felicia Bempomaa supported their daughter to obtain formal education. The late Mrs. Theodora Agyeiwa enrolled at the Agogo Presby Primary and Middle School where she successfully completed Middle standard 4. She begun her professional career as a
Nurse at the Agogo Basel Missionary Hospital. As her Nurse, she discharged her duties gracefully, however, her Nursing profession was brought to an abrupt end as she could not cope with the agonies and groanings patients in critical conditions had to endure. Yaa Agyewei loved to work and not to be idle. She would not give up on her skills and her quest to find work. Like Abraham, she moved from her kindred to Kumasi in the early 1950’s and found a job with the then P&T. Due to her good upbringing, diligence, and hard work, it did not take long for her superiors to notice her unique qualities and capabilities. She was therefore entrusted with duties in other branches of the company in Sunyani, Dunkwa-on-offin among others and finally retired in Kumasi in the late 80’s.
As the Bible says in Proverbs 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. Mr. Emmanuel Yaw Manful from Agona Nyakrom who had moved from Winneba to settle in Kumasi met Yaa Donkor and it did not take time for him to realize she was a precious jewel, so they got married. They were blessed with eight (8) wonderful children of which three (3) have been called to glory.
In 1973, when Mrs. Theodora Agyeiwa Manful was only thirty-five (35) years old, her husband passed on. At such a difficult time in her life, Yaa Donkor found solace in the word of God and trusted God for strength day-by-day. Through it all, she learned to trust in Jesus and to walk with Him. After the passing away of her husband, Mrs. Theodora Agyeiwa Manful resolved not to be married but devote the rest of her life and time to her children and support the vineyard of the Lord. As a devout and devoted Christian, she served in the house of the Lord diligently. She rose through the ranks and held positions such as Senior Presbyter, Women’s fellowship leader among others. She was a member of the SU, Ghacoe, Bible study and prayer groups and the Children’s ministry. She was also a Board Member of the Christian Service University College. She worked all out to serve and function in any capacity possible.
Indeed, as the Bible says in Matthew 23:11
“The greatest among you will be your servant”
her servanthood earned her greatness among her cohorts.
Mrs. Theodora Agyeiwa Manful loved children and had a heart to nurture children in the Lord. By God’s grace, she started the Goodnews club in 1974, which was made up of a gathering of children at various ages groups, teaching them the unadulterated word of God as well as sound Christian values. It is refreshing and a blessing to know, that some of these children she nurtured and trained have become Pastors and preachers of the gospel today. This drive to spread the word of God and the establishment of the Goodnews club earned her the name Auntie Goodnews.Â
The life of Mrs. Theodora Agyeiwa Manful is humbling and from it, we are encouraged to work diligently, spread the word of God, demonstrate God’s love to humanity and serve.
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 (NIV)
