The funeral service was held at St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Ohokobe/Umuohu Ndume Ibeku, Umuahia North, and was officiated by the Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Geoffrey Ibeabuchi.
The funeral attracted government officials, church leaders, members of the Order of Knights and Ladies of St. Christopher (KSC), relatives, friends, colleagues and well-wishers who came from different parts of the country to honour the memory of the deceased.
The funeral activities commenced with a Service of Songs organised by members of the Knights and Ladies of St. Christopher, family and friends at the deceased’s residence, followed by a Christian wake on Sept. 3.
At the funeral service, Rev. Canon Adolphus Baba, who preached the sermon, reminded the congregation of the brevity of life and the need for everyone to maintain a good relationship with God while alive.
Baba said the greatest decision anyone could make was to make peace with God and live a life worthy of emulation.
He described Lady Offor as a woman who genuinely feared and loved God, saying her service to God and humanity remained an example for others to follow.
According to him, death is inevitable, but the death of a faithful Christian should also be seen from the perspective of heaven gaining a soul.
“Death is inevitable, but when a saint dies like Lady Offor, it’s a plus to heaven because heaven gained a soul,” he said.
He therefore urged the living to use their time on earth wisely and leave behind legacies that would continue to speak for them after death.
‘My Mother Was My First Teacher’
In emotional tributes, the deceased’s first child and daughter, Mrs Nnenna Offor, described her mother as a woman of many remarkable qualities.
She described Lady Offor as a home builder, lover of God and humanity, prayer warrior, peacemaker, courageous and bold woman, as well as a counsellor, philanthropist and compassionate giver.
According to her, her mother’s love extended beyond the immediate family, as she was always willing to support and encourage people around her.
Nnenna said Lady Offor was her first teacher, recalling how she taught her how to cook when she was only 12 years old.
She said her mother also taught her the importance of kindness, prayer, faith in God, unconditional love and standing firmly on the side of truth.
‘My Mother Shaped the Woman I Became’
Chinenye Offor, the NAN Multimedia Editor, described her late mother as a virtuous woman, pace setter, goal getter and a woman of excellence.
She said the values her mother instilled in her shaped her resilience, straightforwardness, independence and strong-willed character.
According to her, Lady Offor was not only interested in raising her children but also ensured that they were equipped to become independent and responsible adults.
She recalled that her mother taught her the importance of saving, doing business and investing, stressing that no effort was too small when it came to starting a business or investing for the future.
“My mum taught me how to save, do business, and invest, telling me that nothing is small when it comes to starting a business or buying stocks and shares,” she recalled.
Chinenye also remembered how her mother helped to broaden her exposure and opportunities.
She said her first visit to Abuja in 2000 was made possible by her mother, who provided 100 dollars for her registration to attend an International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE) conference, which she attended with her elder sister.
She further recalled that when she wanted to travel to the United States in 2015 but could not afford the expenses, her mother volunteered to pay her airfare and other related costs.
For Chinenye, her mother’s greatest gift was the character and values she transferred to her children.
“My mum lived a life worthy of emulation, and emulating her lifestyle in all ramifications was the first certificate I obtained, and that certificate has shaped the exceptional woman I have become.
“Her passing is painful, but my assurance is that she has gone to be with the Lord because heaven gained a soul,” she said.
‘I Will Miss Her Prayers and Encouragement’
The deceased’s first son, Mr Chigozie Offor, described his mother as an empathetic woman and lover of God who impacted numerous lives during her lifetime.
He said she taught him how to pray, remain courageous and always stand for the truth.
According to him, regardless of how busy she was, Lady Offor always created time for her children, offering them wise counsel, encouragement and prayers.
“I will miss my mum’s prayers, calls, and words of encouragement. She always worked tirelessly to make sure each and every one of us was safe, healthy, and thriving,” he said.
He said although her death had created a painful void, her laughter, wisdom, love and teachings would continue to live through her children.
He pledged to carry forward her legacy by living according to the values she taught him and striving to make her proud.
‘She Treated Me as Her Son’
Mr Piri Diepiri, a son-in-law to the deceased, described Lady Offor as a woman who treated him as her biological son rather than as a son-in-law.
He said he considered himself blessed to have had her as a mother-in-law, adding that she taught him and his wife valuable lessons about marriage, parenting, faith and family life.
According to him, Lady Offor taught the couple to avoid allowing third parties to interfere in their marriage, a counsel he said helped strengthen the relationship between both families.
He described her as a home builder, peacemaker, gifted counsellor and a God-sent mother whose influence would continue to be felt through her children.
He also said Lady Offor taught them that children should be corrected with love and consistently supported with prayers.
“My wife is inconsolable that her best friend and confidant has gone, but we take comfort that Mama lived and died in Christ Jesus,” he said.
He described her as a devoted, peaceful and God-fearing servant of God who lived a fulfilled life and had now joined her beloved husband in the bosom of the Lord.
‘Mama Always Called Me Her Son’
Another son-in-law, Chief M. Adebayo, also said Lady Offor never treated him as a son-in-law.
According to him, whenever she introduced him to people, she would proudly say, “Meet my son.”
He recalled that even while he lived overseas, Lady Offor consistently called him on the first day of every month to offer prayers, despite the difference in time zones.
Adebayo said her lifestyle of sacrifice, love, kindness and hard work had become part of the character of her daughter.
He said he was particularly heartbroken because he and Lady Offor had plans for the year that would no longer come to fruition.
“I will miss Mama’s kindness, generosity, and benevolence,” he said.
He also recalled her local delicacies, including ukazi soup and ugba served with stockfish, which she prepared for him whenever he visited Nigeria.
“My consolation is that she lived a good life and left a lasting legacy that has transcended into her children and beyond,” he added.
A Life of Service, Education and Empowerment
Born in January 1954 to the late Mr and Mrs Nzewata Onyenweama of Ohokobe Ndume in Umuahia North, Lady Eunice Chintua Offor devoted her life to family, education, entrepreneurship, Christian service and humanitarian activities.
As an educationist, she dedicated her professional life to teaching and mentoring young people.
She was also passionate about women empowerment and consistently encouraged women to embrace self-reliance, entrepreneurship and financial independence.
Beyond her immediate family, Lady Offor was known for her generosity and compassion, particularly toward women, widows, elderly people and other vulnerable members of society.
She was a devoted member of the Order of Knights and Ladies of St. Christopher, Umuahia Diocese, and also served the Anglican Church as a Lay Reader.
She was married to the late Sir Jonah Offor, KSC, of Umuohu Ndume Ibeku.
Lady Offor is survived by eight children, 12 grandchildren, sons-in-law, a daughter-in-law, siblings and other relatives.
Legacy That Lives On
For her children and those who knew her closely, Lady Offor’s greatest legacy was not material wealth but the values she planted in the lives of people around her.
Her family described her as a woman whose life was defined by love, sacrifice, prayer, courage, hard work, generosity and service to God and humanity.
From teaching her children practical life skills to supporting their education, careers, businesses and personal aspirations, she remained deeply involved in their growth and independence.
Her influence also extended into the wider community through her support for women, widows, the elderly and vulnerable people.
As family members gathered to bid her farewell, the grief of losing a beloved mother was balanced by the conviction that she had lived a meaningful life and left behind a legacy capable of enduring through generations.
The family expressed appreciation to friends, colleagues, relatives, government officials, church members and well-wishers who travelled from far and near to join them in paying their final respects to Lady Eunice Chintua Offor.
For the Offor family, the memories of a mother who taught, prayed, encouraged, gave, nurtured and built bridges will remain a lasting source of comfort.
Lady Offor may have been laid to rest, but through the lives of her eight children, 12 grandchildren and the many people she touched, her legacy continues to live on.