Mrs Grace Izunwa goes home amidst praises to God.
3 min read
Yesterday being Friday November 18, 2022 was one of the greatest days in Umuaka Municipal Council as Mrs Grace Ndawi Izunwa, a seriously devoted Christian mother and preacher of the gospel was laid to rest in her village of Umuezikoha Uba Umuaka, after spending an eventful period of 80 years on earth. The late Mrs Izunwa who was the mother of the Lead Pastor of Gateway International Church, George Izunwa lived an exemplary Christian life which she imbibed in her children. It was this noble characteristic of hers that pulled thousands of people from several parts of the country and beyond to pay their last respect.
According to what Umuaka Times gathered, Pastor George Izunwa the first son of the late Mrs Grace Izunwa practically begged his church members not to attend the burial due to logistic, safety and security reasons, yet, there was still an uncountable number of people who came from Port Harcourt and other parts of Imo State to the event which has been described as a glorious exit by many who witnessed the lifestyle of the late Mrs Izunwa.
Pastor Izunwa who did not want a long motorcade in order not to disturb the general public, made sure that just a few vehicles of less than 5, formed the motorcade from the mortuary to the Izunwa family house where the remains of the deceased was laid in-state for people to pay their last respect.
As the deceased was laid in-state, the master of ceremony announced that the Izunwa family led by Pastor George would be the first to pay their last respect. After that came other family units until it got to the turn of her fellow Christians, friends and well wishers etc. The last group of persons that paid her respect signaled the end of the lying in-state and the MC announced again that everybody was required to move to the premises of Hilltop Primary School Uba Umuaka where the church service took place.
Many church groups and men of God from many churches across the country were already seated by the time Umuaka Times arrived at Hilltop Primary School. Several men of God spoke at the service including the Lead Pastor of Alpha Calvary Church, Pastor Uche Udochukwu. As usual, the firebrand Pastor Uche held everyone spellbound with his the sermon which touched seriously on the lifestyle of the deceased whom he described as a quintessential woman of God.
As the church service progressed, one of the children of the late Mrs Grace Izunwa, Mrs Amarachi Oluwabanwo was given an opportunity to read the biography of her late mother. She did and many who did not properly know the woman in question used the opportunity to understand her better. Soon after that, the congregation went to the Izunwa family house again for the internment. Bishop Erimujo of Healing the Nations Ministries conducted the graveside sermon and service.
Shortly after that, the undertakers lowered the casket to the grave, permanently signaling the end of the eventful life journey of Mrs Grace Ndawi Izunwa that spanned for 80 years.
