INLOVING MEMORY AGNES USSHER

THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST
SALTPOND DISTRICT
Presents
The Burial, Memorial &
Thanksgiving Service
for the late
Madam Agnes Ussher
AGED : 90
On Saturday 21st January, 2023 &
Sunday 22nd January, 2023
@9:00 am prompt.

ORDER
OF SERVICE
Part 1
BURIAL & MEMORIAL SERVICE
Opening Prayer & Worship // Dns. Theresah Hagan
Chorus // Congregation
File Past
Introduction of Dignitaries //Conductor
Song
Reading of scriptures // 1 Thes 4:13-18
Mfantse // Eld. Ato Danquah
English // Dns. Esther Harding
Thanksgiving Prayer // Eld. Mark Amoah
Biography by family
Tributes:
Children
Grandchildren
and Church
Song // Dns. Justina Sam
Sermon // Ps. Solomon Y. Acquah
Alter Call
/Prayer // Eld. Seth Ohene / Beld. Badu Nsarkoh
Offering
Prayer for the bereaved family
Votes of thanks by family
Announcements //Conductor
Closing prayer // Eld. Daniel Osei
Conductor // Eld. Mark Abban
Part 2
AT THE GRAVE SIDE
Receiving the casket
Song
Prayer // Eld. Alex Arhin
Committal // Ps. Solomon Y. Acquah
Prayer // Eld. Mark Abban
Benediction // Ps. Solomon Y. Acquah
Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who
die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from
their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”
NIV Revelation 14:13
4.

B I O G R A P H Y
For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again,
even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him
those who have fallen asleep. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 -
Ma d a m A g n e s N a n a E k u a
W o n d o r s u U s s h e r ,
a f f e c t i o n a t e l y k n o w n a s
Maame Ussher, was born on the 6th of
December 1932, at Saltpond to Mr
Francis Ussher and
M a d a m V i c t o r i a
Quagraine, both of
b l e ssed m e m o r y.
S h e was t h e l a s t
born of ve children.
We a re g a t h e red
here today because
Maame Ussher has
r e t u r n e d t o t h e
wonderful God who
created her. She has
g r a c e f u l l y
completed the cycle of birth, life, and
death and returns to the maker.
Although this is a journey that we shall
all one day complete, her unexpected
“
Now the laborer's task is o'er;
Now the battle day is past;
Now upon the farther shore
Lands the voyager at last.
Father, in thy gracious keeping,
Leave we now thy servant sleeping.”
departure on Friday, 16th December
2022, lls us with deep sadness, which
we are still struggling to come to terms
with.
M a d a m A g n e s
Ussher started her
formal education at
t h e S a l t p o n d
Methodist School,
where she excelled
as a pupil. She was a
very intelligent and
diligent pupil who
had a remarkable
m e m o r y . A l l h e r
teachers loved her,
n o t j u s t f o r h e r
intelligence but also
for her utmost politeness, poise, and
self–control. She made the most of the
short education she received by
becoming a lifelong learner and being
very observant.
6.

A G N E S U S S H E R
Nana Wondorsu's mother, Madam
Victoria Quagraine was an astute
businesswoman who travelled to
d i f fe rent towns to t ransact h e r
business often accompanied by her
daughter. During one such travel, Agnes
met and fell in love with Mr John Ainu
Eghan of blessed memory. They soon
married and started their lives together
at Agona Swedru in the Central Region
before moving to the capital city Accra.
The union produced ten children.
Madam Agnes Ussher was a staunch
Christian who worshipped with the
Church of Pentecost. She was a faithful
and supportive member of the Church
and an active member of the Women's
Ministry at Kaneshie in Accra. She was a
very committed, spirit- lled Christian
who could make all who met her feel
special. She always went to Church with
a smile and sparkle in her eyes and was
loved by all, including her church family.
Nana Wondorsu raised her 10 children in
t h e fe a r o f t h e Lo rd. S h e was a
kind–hearted and giving woman who
showed compassion and care beyond
her immediate family. She welcomed
many relatives and friends, including
friends of her children, into our home
and took care of them as if they were her
children. She fed and gave shelter to
many that came into our home.
Her humility, kindness and generosity
touched the hearts of many, including
many present here today. She would
sometimes pay off debts for her
relatives and not request the money
back. Whenever she received a special
7.

A G N E S U S S H E R
gift from any of her children, she would,
in turn, donate it to people dear to her
heart, including her pastors and close
friends. While this behaviour at times
frustrated her children, she always
explained her actions by saying that she
was 'sowing seeds' for her children and
that we shall receive more favour and
blessings from God in return. We
learned the meaning of sacri ce,
s h a r i n g , a n d s e r v i c e f r o m h e r
generosity.
Maame was a busy housewife who
diligently took care of her husband and
ten children and sowed a sacred seed of
love. Later in life, she worked at the Issue
Department of the Bank of Ghana as a
C a s h C o u n t e r. S h e w a s a v e r y
industrious woman. She baked a lot for
family and friends and turned her
passion for baking into a business by
selling to her fellow employees at work.
M a a m e a l s o e n g a g e d i n t h e
transportation business. She owned a
taxi and a Mercedes Benz bus, which
p rovided h e r w i t h m u c h - n e e d e d
income. She eventually moved back to
Saltpond after her retirement and was
assisted by her late son, Mr Richard
Egan.
As an independent woman, she insisted
on handling her affairs. After her second
son passed, she remained active until
she fell ill in July of this year. She went to
be with her maker after this brief illness
on 16th December 2022, at the age of 90
years.
While the family hoped and prayed that
she could recover, the greater truth is
8.

S O C I A L & F R I E N D L Y A G N E S U S S H E R
that God gave this precious gift on
loan to us for a while, and through
death, God has called her back. She
left behind eight (8) children,
twenty-seven (27) grandchildren
a n d e i g h t e e n ( 1 8 ) g r e a t -
grandchildren.
Nana Wondorsu strongly believed
that “None of us lives for ourselves
alone, and none of us dies for
ourselves alone. If we live, we live for
the Lord; and if we die, we die for the
Lord. So whether we live or die, we
belong to the Lord.” (Romans 14:7-8).
Maame Ussher, kwan so brεbrε
Maame Wondorsu, da yie
Nyame nfa wo kra nsie
Rest in perfect peace, Amen.
9.

adam Agnes Nana Ekua Wondorsu
MUssher was a beautiful, kind-hearted
m o t h e r. S h e was h a rd–wo r k i n g ,
creative and multi–talented.
She was a very good cook with excellent pastry
skills. Baking cakes was her passion. During
Christmas, she would bake the most delicious
cakes and the thick sweet aroma of the freshly
baked cakes would ll the entire kitchen
spreading to all the adjoining rooms. But the
cakes which melted in the mouth were not for
home consumption. She would rather send
them off, parcelled as gifts to her pastors,
doctors, supervisors and close friends. No
matter how many pieces she baked, they were
never enough and her children had to settle for
‘Rockies’, which were also very tasty.
She was also very skillful at sewing. When her
children were leaving home to attend boarding
schools, she would sew cloth bags, bed sheets,
jumpers, pyjamas, etc. for them. She even used
to sew delicate dresses for us using pieces of
different fabrics, years before ‘asaasawa’
became fashionable in Ghana.
10.

If there is one Bible verse which captures
Maame best, it is the description of a gracious
woman in the nal chapter of Proverbs. It says
“strength and dignity are her clothing and she
laughs at the time to come’’. Proverbs 31: 25.
STRENGTH, DIGNITY AND LAUGHTER are
three exceptional gifts which we honour and
celebrate today.
HER STRENGTH
Maame Ussher’s greatest strength was her
wisdom, rooted in the fear of the Lord. She was a
very strong-willed woman who skillfully brought
up ten children and countless other family
members and friends. Although raising so many
children might have been hard for her, she was
always protective and fair and loved us equally.
She was a busy, hard–working mother who
accepted her labour as “cheerful service” to her
family. This show of maternal strength has been
a precious gift and blessing to us all.
HER DIGNITY
Despite life’s ups and downs, Maame Ussher
lived life with a sense of dignity. She possessed
the ability to stand strong and tall in the face of
adversity. In her lifetime, she lost two of her
children and all four of her older siblings, all of
whom she cherished and loved dearly, but her
Christian faith kept her going strong. She was
impartial and always stood up for her beliefs.
She led a life of dignity, avoiding gossip, anger
and lies.
LAUGHTER was her other gift.
Maame Ussher’s life was lled with a rich sense
of fun and joy and the music of laughter. She
always had genuine warmth to her smile, and we
always lled our house with an atmosphere of
fun, laughter and affection. Just as the gracious
woman ‘‘laughs at the time to come’’ (Proverbs
31), Maame Ussher was very optimistic about life
itself. She was always hopeful and con dent in
the face of adversity and the unpredictable
11.

challenges of life. Her happiness and optimism
were based on the belief that this life is to be
lived to the full as a preparation for the next.
It was indeed a shock to hear of her passing. It
was a shock because we had visited her less than
two weeks before. We saw her lift herself, smile,
extend her hand to be rubbed, and open her
mouth to show us that she had eaten the ice
cream we had fed her. It is painful to accept the
fact that she has indeed left us. But as the
saying goes, God knows best.
We thank God for the assurance that there is life
after death for those who die in the Lord!
Maame, we are very proud of you for your loving
care, kindness, and your dedication to your
church. A lot of people never had the
opportunity to have a mother. A special mother
is indeed hard to nd. You were a mother to the
motherless and a mother to even many that had
mothers.
Finally, the last chapter of Proverbs has more to
say about a gracious woman: ‘‘many women have
done excellently, but you surpass them all’’.
Proverbs 31:29.
Maame Wondorsu, you surpass them all! Maame
Agnes, you shall be fondly remembered for:
Advice and guidance you offered us all,
Grace and goodness, your unique qualities,
Never complaining; you worked in dignity,
Eyes so kind and warming,
Shining a beacon of light to guide our paths.
We think about you always. We talk about you
still. You have never been forgotten and you
never will. We hold you close within our hearts
and there, you will remain. To walk and guide us
through our lives, until we meet again.
Farewell the well Maame.
Nantew yie Nana Wondorsu, Nyame nfa wokra
nsie.
12.

TRIBUTE BY IN-LAWS
HAROLD CARTEY, NANA THOMPSON, TINA EGHAN,
BERTHA CORQUAYE & ISAAC NYARKO
HAROLD AFRIYIE CARTEY
Several decades ago, I was lled with anxiety,
nervousness, etc - stereotypical emotions of a guy
who was about to meet his future mother-in-law for
the rst time - when Mabel, my future wife,
introduced me to her mother, Madam Agnes Ussher
(a.k.a Maame).
However, Maame, during that rst meeting, you made
all those feelings of uncertainty disappear instantly
when you asked Mabel to offer me a plate of some very
delicious jollof from your kitchen! Right there and
then, I felt completely welcomed and at home. This
feeling of acceptance has grown ever stronger
through the many years I have been your son-in-law.
Maame, your warmth, kindness, support and loving
heart for us never wavered. You were always the
standby rock for Mabel and me, and for your grandkids
Dennis, Derek and Nathan. I am and always will be
grateful to you for giving me the wonderful family that
I have.
Here on earth, I keep hearing human voices saying
"She Is Gone". But by a leap of faith, I also keep hearing
the sweet voices of the Heavenly Angels saying "There
She Comes! Welcome to Your Permanent Home, Here
in Heaven"!
ISAAC NYARKO
I rst met Maami (Mama Ussher), I think in 1989 when I
left home (my father's house in the Dansoman
Estates) to live with my friend, Amina (aka, Pot Pee) in
the Mataheko area. Amina's house is directly opposite
Mr. Lankwei's house and that is where Maami lived with
her family. I don't know, but I quickly became friends
with all in the area. That means all, including all of
Maami's children.
I, fortunately ended up marrying Maami's last born,
Maame Ama. Maami was well mannered and above all,
so patient when it comes to the challenges that
comes up in marriage. Her advice and counseling will
forever remain with me. To say I miss you, is an
understatement.
Maami is the true epitome of what God made humans
to be. My brother, Junior and the entire family has
described her as a wonderful woman. We will surely
miss her.
You did your best and your love and generosity for the
family was without discrimination. Ayekoo Maami!!! I
salute you and wish you safe journey to your maker.
Rest in perfect peace Maami.
Maame, you will always be the sky above spreading
your love over all of us. We love you back and will miss
you forever.
Rest well in the arms of Almighty God.
13.

14.

It's with a very heavy heart that we share these
few words about our dear Grandmother. Oh how
sad were we, when we found out that our one and
only grandma, affectionately called Maame, had
passed on. We cried and asked “Oh Awurade,
aden?” Oh Maame, Maame! Yet we know that our
God gives life and takes it away. So even though
our hearts are heavy, we trust His judgment and
timing. And we want to take this moment to say
thank you Maame for being a grandmother like no
other. Thank you! And also to say to all those
reading these tributes, who have taken the time
to come and support us during our time of
mourning and reflection: Yeda moase paa! Please
take a moment and consider who she was to us
through these few stories and memories we seek
to share. And celebrate with us that we all had
the privilege to walk and commune with such a
wonderful lady!
If we were asked to describe Maame in three
words, we would say “generous”, “creative” and
“faithful”. Maame was an embodiment of these
traits in many ways than one. In the book of
Hebrews we are told that in the past Nyankopon
spoke to our fathers in diverse ways and at
different times by the prophets (Hebrews 1:1).
Just as God gave His perfect word in diverse ways
and at different times, Maame helped to train us
and impressed her wisdom on us, in diverse ways
and at sundry times.
So when did Maame teach us generosity? She did
this every time we visited and every time she
visited. Never once did us part ways without
Maame making sure that we had money for our
fare or whatever else was needed. Maame was a
woman of modest means; however, her giving
and sacri cial attitude meant she would always
nd ways to bless a visitor. She always did unto
others as she desired to be done to her. And in so
doing, we saw generosity in action and thus have
always desired to be a blessing to others.
Maame was also woman who was creative and
practical in ways that truly amazed us. Growing
up, we knew of people with fancy kitchen
g a d g e t s . T h e s e a p p l i a n c e s m a d e t h e
preparations of certain dishes and delicacies
simple and straightforward. Maame didn't have
these new appliances so she resorted to
creativity and ingenuity. One such instance was
how she made her cakes. Maame's cake rivaled
that of established shops not only by taste, but by
the ingenuity of her method. She was able to bake
her cakes to perfection using hot sand. Oh how
delicious and perfect! Also, Maame was the rst
person we know who made jollof with pig feet.
The aroma, the taste, the perfect “one one” and
the way it hit the spot every time! Indeed our
Grandma was one of a kind who took the
mundane and ordinary and made it her own
special creations!
Finally, Maame demonstrated faithfulness
through her everyday actions and particular
words of encouragement. In scripture, parents
are admonished to teach the young ones with
every opportunity. Whether sitting down, eating,
going out or coming in. To write the good words
of Yehowah upon the door posts; to be reminded
by the phylacteries of the perfect word of God.
So that eventually the holy truths will be written
upon our hearts and impressed deep into our
minds and souls. When that happens, we cannot
help it but to spill scripture with every
conversation, interaction and action. Maame was
to us someone who indirectly and directly put the
good Word into action before us. She did this by
her love to our savior and redeemer! Those of us
who were living abroad, she admonished us not to
neglect the fellowship of believers, even as she
was faithful in worshiping till the end! She also did
this by her faithfulness in giving to the church
and encouraged us to be the same. And nally,
she did this by encouraging us to be fruitful and
to multiple even as our good Elohim has
commanded us to!
Oh Maame you will be greatly missed! We will not
cease speaking of you till the end of our days. We
love and cherish you.
We thank God that we had you as our Maame.
Rest in perfect peace Maame!
15.

Tributes by
NEPHEWS & NEICES
“Those we love don't go away.
They wait beside us everyday. Unseen,
unheard, but ALWAYS NEAR.”
Still loved, still missed and forever dear. Aunt
Wondooso, we will forever cherish you in our
hearts for you were a great auntie to us.
Your spirit of hospitality, generosity and
accessibility will always be remembered. You
welcomed people into your home regardless
of blood relationship. It is no wonder that
friends of your children were taken in and
cared for by you without prejudice.
For some of us, you were our source of
sustenance when we were young. Today we
cannot write our stories without you. One of
our fondest memories of you was when your
mother, Maame Esi Korsimah, of blessed
memory, was still alive. Your regular monthly
visits to her were a nancial boon to everyone
in the house. You made sure to give everyone
pocket money before you left. We were always
happy to see you.
We pray that your journey to eternity will be
graceful and comfortable. May the good Lord
accept and embrace your soul to join those He
has called into His Kingdom.
Rest peacefully in the bosom of our Lord until
the nal trumpet call, when we shall meet
again. Aunt Wondooso, thank you very much
for everything.
Lord, we come before you with heavy
hearts as we remember
AUNT WORDORSU
and the impact they had on our lives.
Please bring comfort and peace to
those who mourn their loss, and
may they find hope in your loving
presence and the promise of eternal life.
Amen.
16.

Tributes by
CHURCH OF PENTECOST
SALTPOND DISTRICT
“He will wipe every tears from their eyes. There will be no more
death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of
things has passed away.”Rev. 21:4 NIV.
“Every person's life ends the same way. It is only
the detail of how they lived and how they died that
distinguish one person from another.” ERNEST
HEMINGWAY
Unassuming, selfless, generous, calm and yet
engaging is how we would describe Madam Agnes
Ussher whom we affectionately called Maame
Ussher. Maame Agnes Ussher joined Saltpond
central assembly when
she retired from active
work in the year 2009. She
utilized every opportunity
to advise the church to be
prayerful, truthful and
holy. She will advise the
youth to be God fearing,
h u m b l e a n d t o l i v e
rigorous lives. She always
advised members to open
t h e i r h e a r t s t o G o d
because he is the only one
standing at the door of
our hearts, knocking to be
a l l o w e d i n . S h e w a s
faithful in her tithing. Her
g e n e r o s i t y k n e w n o
b o u n d s , f rom c h u rch
of cers to members. She
shared whatever she had
with one another and
everyone who came her
way.
You gave out your best wherever you found
yourself. The all-seeing and all-knowing God has a
reward waiting for you in heaven. Maame Ussher,
you have fought a good ght. You have nished the
race, you have kept the faith. Now the one in store
for you is the crown of righteousness which the
Lord the righteous Judge will award you on that
day and not only you but also to all who have longed
for His appearance. (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
We are grateful to God for the memories and
moments we shared with her. We are consoled by
the fact that you are in a
better place, where there
is no night, no weeping
a n d n o p a i n . W e a r e
saddened by her demise
and our hearts ache, but
our comfort is in the Lord.
We wish she had stayed
longer with us but our
maker's call is superior to
our wishes. We know she
h a s b e e n c a l l e d t o a
peaceful rest and eternal
glory. This is preferred to
the daily suffering and
struggles in this body- TO
LIVE IS CHRIST AND TO DIE
IS GAIN- Philippians 1:21
May she continue resting
in the Lord as we await the
time when the sleeping
and the living saints shall
b e r e u n i t e d i n t h e
kingdom of the Lord. We wish her sweet repose
and her legacies will continue to live on with us in
the Lord's bosom till we meet again. AMEN.
17.

CHILDREN, GRAND CHILDREN,
GREAT GRANDCHILDREN & FAMILY

19. 10

20.

21.

22.

23.

Jerusalem ye ahotew
Jerusalem ye ahotew
kurow
Oman no ye oman
kronkron
Da bi yebehyiam na ye’
ne Awurade boto Hallelu
Ya!
Wiase amane no dooso
1. Wiase amane no dooso
oohaw, aperepere ne
nyarewa
Owuo twa so ma won a
Wo-ahu Yesu Kristo no (x2)
Kristo bema ye’aho-me
Na obodwodwo yen kra daa
nyinaa
2. Akoneaba bebree yi mu
Ahodwan ne ahokyere yi
mu
Awie-e, nea ehia ne se:
wobehu Kristo anim (x2)
3. Apinisie ne dadwene
nyinaa mu
Mpaebo, mmuadadi nyinaa
m’
Abrabo pa na yede be-pue
Kristo no anim (x2)
4. Yen “nhweso-adwuma”
yi mu
Nea ehia yen ara ne se:
Akontaa pa na yebebu
wo Kristo no a-nim (x2)
Yereko man papa bi m’
Yereko man papa bi m’
Yereko man papa bi m’
Yereko oo, Yereko oo
Yereko oo, Yoreko oo
Yeretutu yen anan senea
Yeretutu yen anan senea
akwantufo retu o!
Yeretutu yen anan senea
akwantufo retu o!
Yeasi so reke Zion
Zion kuro fefe no mu;
!h4 na y1b1tra daa daa
Yeretutu y1n anan s1nea
akwantufo retu o!
Akwantu bi wo ho a
1. Akwantu bi wo ho a
yebetu
Enye wiase ha akwantu
no bi,
Soro ho akwantu na
yeretwen,
Anigye ben na saa da no
beye!
2. Se sum hye kabii ma
apranaa bobom,
Ma Kristo mu awufo sore
kan,
Na se yene wen bom
kohyia Kristo a,
Anigye bon na saa da no
beye
3. Anigye na yede betu
kwan no,
Ahurusi na yede behyia
Kristo
Gyedifo nyinaa bebom
anantew,
Anigye ben na saa da no
beye
4. Yebehu yen ho anim
ne anim
Bere a yebehyia we
ahengua no anim,
Na se ahotewfo nyinaa
bom tena a,
Anigye ben na saa da no
beye
5. Yewo dwom foforo bi a
yebeto,
Soro abofo mpo renntumi
nnte ase
Yen nkunimdi ho dwom
na yebeto,
Anigye ben na saa da no
beye
Nyame nye h3n wo ho
Nyame nye h3n wo ho 2x
Otsen ne nsa wo neber mu,
Ma tum nyenaa bra ase...
Ne dzen Emmanuel kyer3 s3
Nyame nye h3n wo ho ndenso.......
nyame nyeh3n wo h).
Guide me, O my great Redeemer
1. Guide me, O my great
Redeemer,
pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but you are mighty;
hold me with your powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me now and evermore,
feed me now and evermore.
2. Open now the crystal fountain,
where the healing waters flow.
Let the re and cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through.
Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,
ever be my strength and shield,
ever be my strength and shield.
3. When I tread the verge of
Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside.
Death of death, and hell's
Destruction,
land me safe on Canaan's side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever sing to you,
I will ever sing to you.
Abide with me; fast falls the
eventide
1. Abide with me; fast falls the
eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with
me abide;
When other helpers fail and
comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide
with me.
2. Swift to its close ebbs out life’s
little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories
pass away;
Change and decay in all around I
see—
O Thou who changest not, abide
with me.
3. I need Thy presence every
passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the
tempter’s pow’r?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and
stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord,
abide with me.
25.

26.

Appreciation
The children and the entire
family of the late
hereby express their sincerest appreciation
to you for mourning with them in their
time of bereavement.
God richly bless you for your prayers,
presence and supports during the
funeral celebration.