Tributes
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.â 2 Timothy 4:7-8
My relationship with Aunty Theo dates back to early 1950s when I got my first appointment into the Kumasi Office of the Telephone Exchange of the then P&T. I did not meet her when I assumed work at the Adum Office. She came later from an out station when she was promoted to be a supervisor. She was a very serious worker, disciplined, honest and did not discriminate. So I began to love her. I soon found out that she was also a Presbyterian like myself and that drew us closer. The closer I got to her the more my respect for her grew. She began to invite me at lunch time to join her on her seniors’ table. One Sunday I invited her to accompany me to a friend’s mother’s funeral. She agreed and we arranged to meet at Kejetia â she from stadium and I from Dichemso.
At Kejetia, I learnt my bereaved friend herself had travelled before the death and was therefore not there. Our plans changed. Since it was around 4pm â time for Scripture Union meeting- and we were close to the meeting place (KO Methodist School) I invited her to join me to the meeting which she readily accepted. Enjoying the meeting, she agreed to continue to attend the meetings each week. It was at one of such meetings that the Speaker for the day, the Late William Ofori Attah (alias Paa Willie) explained and invited us to consider the Childrenâs GOOD NEWS CLUB. She gave it a more serious consideration and acted on it in her neighbourhood which eventually earned her the name â AUNTY (MAMA) GOOD NEWS. Meanwhile we also decided to start once a week lunch time prayer meeting. This also with God’s help was done.
We invited some of the interested workers including our brother Nii Amo Darko who was then working at the ECG close to the Post Office Adum, and with whom I was serving at the Bantama Presbyterian Church. All these kept strengthening the bond of fellowship and love between Aunty Theo and myself. One day around this time my brother came from Accra with GHACOE Men’s Fellowship and invited me to join him to the programme at KNUST Campus. To this programme also I asked my brother to take my sister at Ahensan Estate and we went together At the programme, the preacher’s wife invited all the women during the mid-break and impressed on us the need for the women to also form a group to learn and assist the men and the family.
We gave out our names and Sis. Florence Yeboah took the leadership position and this brought forth the GHACHOE Women’s Fellowship. All these brought us closer than friends. Later she retired and I went on transfer to Accra for so many years but nothing changed our love. On a number of occasions when I visited Kumasi I stayed at Ahensan Estate rather than go to my family home at Bantama. This was because we often had a lot to catch up on for which even an all night chat was inadequate for Aunty Theo and I.
One Tuesday morning she rang and said to me âKate I am sick, I am even lying in bed as I am talking to youâ âWhat is wrongâ I asked? âI can’t eat and cannot swallow even water.â I prayed with her and told her I will call the next day God willing but behold before I could call, this blow was sent to me that âYOUR SISTER SAYS SHE IS GONE.â NOTE: Aunty Theo had been ready to go home for a long time, anytime we got opportunity to be together she will tell me Kate
‘WO NHU SE EWIASE AYĆ BASAA. AWURADE MĆFA YĆN KĆ HOME, NEĆMMA TANTAN, TANTAN A ĆREKĆSO YI WONHUNU? My reply will be âSISTER AWURADE MMERĆ NE MMERĆ PA”.
Aunty Theo has really been a great companion in my Christian walk. She has been a partner, a sister and a friend like no other. I will surely miss you. You have indeed fought the good fight and have kept the faith. What remains is that the master gives you the crown of Righteousness.
My sister my love fare thee well in Jesus’s name till we meet again.
Jesus told her, I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this âŚ?â (John 11:25).
Mrs. Theodora Manful was a committed Christian, mentor and counsellor. Her relationship with Christian Service University College as a Friend commenced in 1974 when the institution was established as Bible college called Christian Service College. Since then she dedicated herself to the service of the institution as a friend. In those days the College depended mostly on donations from friends. From her personal resources, Mrs. Manful contributed financially on regular basis towards the running of the institution. For her commitment to the College, she elevated to the membership of the Board of Trustees in 2001.
For sixteen years (2001 â 2016) she served as an active Trustee, attending periodic meetings of the Board. Together with other Trustees and Council Members, Mrs. Manful participated in discussions and processes that culminated in the transformation of the Institution from Bible College to University College. Furthermore, she was regular and noticeably punctual in attending University College events such as Council-Staff Retreats and Graduation until when old age made it difficult for her to take part in such activities. Mrs. Manful had a lovely personal disposition which endeared her to the evangelical fraternity at CSUC. She was respectable, generous and always ready to contribute her quota whenever she was called upon to do so.
She was a remarkable Christian who served God to the best of her knowledge and ability. She maintained an unflinching faith in God. Our dear mother and sister, we believe your demise is a dignified home call to higher service with the saints above.
May your gentle and lovely soul find eternal rest with the Lord, Amen!
Good News, Christ died for me and you. In Twi, âAsem papa, Yesu wu maa me ene woâ
From childhood, this is the refrain that many children at Ahinsan Estate were used to. The inculcation of Christianity by Mrs Manful, popularly known as Auntie Goodnews, was more than admirable. In the early 1980s when we were kids, Auntie Goodnews came to our parents individually to introduce her Saturday evening Christian teachings for kids and invite children in the household. Our parents gladly agreed. And that is how the Saturday evening âGood Newsâ began For decades, 100s of children passed through the hands of Auntie Goodnews.
She taught us Bible verses. She taught us Christian songs. She shaped our behavior by inculcating Christianity into us. She made our parentsâ job of parenting easier because one was always afraid of being reported to Auntie Goodnews on Saturday for any misbehavior As âGoodnewsâ members grew older, they gave way for younger ones and the cycle continued for over 20 years. Some of us can count how many times Auntie Goodnews was not around for goodnews in our maybe 10 years plus of being her Goodnews members on one hand.
She was always present for Saturday night Bible studies. Growing up we wonder how she was able to keep up without missing the teachings sometimes for years in a stretch Then we became adults, and Auntie Goodnews would not take a simple Good Morning or Good Afternoon. No. As a former member it was always âGOODNEWS!!!â. And the answer â Christ died for me and youâ would follow Today we are here to bury our Mother, our Auntie, our Grandma, a motherly figure who played a tremendous role in shaping us and helping us to become who we are today. Our hearts bleed, human as we are. However we console ourselves in the confident knowledge that she is with The Father in Heaven, who did not just serve diligently, but pulled a huge number of souls and people to. One day, we shall meet our âAuntie Goodnewsâ in Heaven and continue our slogan, âGoodnews!! Christ died for me and youâ!!
âAsem Papa, Yesu wu maa me, eni woâ
We are all born weak and helpless. All lead the same short and trouble life, we grow and wither as quickly as flowers we disappear like shadows Job 14:1-2.
Our dear mother who lies before us has been a mother to many. Her lifestyle affected all those who came closer to her. She loved children and therefore worked as a Children Service Teacher for many years. So most of the youth in the church and even those older passed through her hands. Mama was a member of the Womenâs fellowship and later she was elected the President for two terms. She was also elected as a Presbyter for many years, because during that time, there was no time limit. At session, if there were tension and anger or disagreement, she will stand up and calm the situation, such was her contribution for being a peace maker. She loved the Lord and the servants who work in the vineyard by giving some token to them when necessary. To talk about Mama, will need volumes of paper, she was hospitable, generous, a great helper in times of need. We miss her and she will always be on our hearts.
Mama da yie, Awurade mfa wo nose. Amen.
Grandma, as we affectionaly call her was among the pioneer teachers of the Ramseyer Children Service. The children were dear to her heart. She always came to church to pray for the children and also met and welcome the children to the church. And also fed the children with Jolof and sweeties. Due to her love for the children, she also formed the âGood News Clubâ in her house to teach them the Word of God. I believe a lot of children who became born again are waiting to see grandma in Heaven. Grandma demonstrated exceptional interest and love for the children which is worth of emulation. We will never forget her pieces of advice. When we met for preparation classes she would tell us if we are not recognized by the Church or paid, the reward God would give us in the future would be great. She added children’s service is sacrificial work. She would then read Colossians chapter 3 verses 23 â 24: âWhatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Due to old age and limited mobility, she could not come to church but would always ask about how the children’s service is going and also how the children are faring. The teachers and the children are saddened by your passing away to eternity. We will always remember you. Rest peacefully in the bosom of your creator.
Fare thee well grandma â Yesu Mmofra danfo.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that dayâand not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8.
Mrs. Theodora Manful was a staunch Bible Study and Prayer Group member and was among the longest-serving members who remained in the group at the time of her demise. Mama Manful was very committed to the BSPG activities at all levels of the group (Local, District, Presbytery, and National). She contributed immensely with her money and resources towards the growth of the group during her hay days and even at the time she was indisposed. The group was so dear to her heart that she could hardly be forgetting and ask how the group was getting on. Her contributions to Bible Studies meetings were superb and her counseling was full of great wisdom. She was esteemed humble and endowed with good human relationships. The Adum BSPG has lost one of its industrious members. We love you. Farewell sister, you have fought the good fight. There awaits you the crowning of life which the Lord has promised to give to His faithful ones (including you).
Da Yie.
