Funeral program daft

home at LAST Greatest Home…Sweet Home

When I was born While I was crying Everyone around me was rejoicing Let me live a life that when I’m gone While everyone is crying I will be rejoicing in my father’s house Home at last… Greatest Home, Sweet Home…

Mamatu

BETTY WOLAPAYE COLE Sunrise: February 8, 1959

Sunset: August 21, 2015 Saturday, September 12, 2015 Viewing: 9am- 10am

Homegoing Service: 10am

Immanuel Lutheran Church

65 Penn Blvd, East Lansdowne, PA 19050

Order of Wake-Keeping Service

Officiating Minister: Rev. Dr. Moses Suah-Dennis, D. Min., Sr. Pr. Assistant Minister and Master of Ceremony: Rev. George Doe

Friday, September11, 2015

Viewing (7pm-8:30pm) Gathering Songs of Worship

Praise and Worship Team, Led by Lauretta Leemu Cole Bennie (Daughter of Mother Cole)

Welcome and Prayer: Pastor Moses Suah-Dennis Praise and Worship

Praise and Worship Team, Led by Lauretta Leemu Cole Bennie (Daughter of Mother Cole)

Tributes in the following order with musical interlude • • • • • • •

Friends Co-workers Neighbors Organizations Churches Others Family Members

Solo: Moses Swaray First Reading: (Job 3:1-24)

Morrow Mitchell (Grandson of Mother Cole)

Second Reading: (1 Thessalonian 4:13-18) Joseph K. Okyne, Jr (Grandson of Mother Cole) Offertory & Offering Selection/Hymn: “Victory in Jesus”

/Faith-Immanuel Lutheran Church Choir

Exhortation: Theme: “Home at Last” Min. Thomas Kpankpa

Announcements

Master of Ceremony, Rev. George Doe

Prayer for the Family

Pastor Joe Poremba, Senior Pastor (Grace Independent Baptist Church)

Hymn: “By and By, When the Morning Comes” Benediction: Rev. Suzette D. Brown, Pastor (Clearview United Methodist Church)

Refreshment

Fellowship hall in the Church Basement

&

Order of Celebration of Life Homegoing Service

Officiating Minister: Rev. Dr. Moses Suah-Dennis, D. Min., Sr. Pr. Assistant Minister and Master of Ceremony: Bro. Matthew Banda

Saturday, September12, 2015

Viewing (9am-10am) Gathering Songs of Worship: Praise and Worship Team,

Led by Lauretta Leemu Cole Bennie (Daughter of Mother Cole)

Processional: Clergy and Family Greetings and Prayer: Pastor Moses Suah-Dennis Hymn: “Because He Lives I Can Face Tomorrow” Tributes in the following order with musical interlude

Organizations The Liberian Community of Pennsylvania Divine Providence Village (former employer) Liberian Ministers Association of the Delaware Valley Friend Forever Birthday Club Faith-Immanuel Lutheran Church Family Fam ily Mother Siblings Husband Children

Reading of the Obituary- Life Legacy & Dreams of Mother Cole Wilmot W. Mitchell (Son of Mother Cole)

Offering and Offertory 1st Reading: (2 Corinthians 4:6-18)

Flower S. Mitchell (Granddaughter of Mother Cole)

2nd Reading:

(1 Corinthians 15:50-58) Louise A. Okyne (Granddaughter of Mother Cole)

Selection: Faith-Immanuel Lutheran Church Choir Eulogy: Pastor Moses Susah-Dennis Hymn: “Victory In Jesus” Prayer for the Family

Rev. Suzette D. Brown, Pastor, Clearview United Methodist Church

Announcements: Master of Ceremony, Bro. Matthew Banda Recession: Clergy, Pallbearers & Family Interment: Arlington Cemetery: Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania

Thank you all for your love, prayers and support. May Almighty God richly bless you!

Unforgettab

first at Salala Selfhelp Elementary School, where she studied until fourth grade, at which time her father, Mr. Benedict Wolapaye Mitchell opted for Mother Cole to join other family members at his alma mater, United Holy Cross Academy Mission School also in Salala.

A few years later, the family was on the move again, this time relocating from Salala to Sanoyea, Bong County, where Mr. Benedict Wolapaye Mitchell was re-assigned to lead the district’s only health center. As a result of the move, Mother Cole and her younger sister, Tetima Wolapaye, changed schools from United Holy Cross Academy in Salala to the Totota Lutheran Mission School in Totota, Bong County, which was closer to the family’s new home in Sanoyea. Mother Cole remained at Totota Lutheran Mission until 8th Grade when she became conceived with a child, her first son, and B e t t y as a result got expelled from the mission school.

Wolapaye Shamed and dejected, Mother Cole returned C o l e home to Sanoyea. But that was not to be the end (affectionately known as Mother Cole by family of Mother’s Cole education or the dampening of and friends) was born the first daughter among her dreams. With the support of her ever- loving many brothers and sisters, unto the union of her parents, this determined and bright young woman ever-loving and proud parents, Benedict Flomo beat the odds to return to school about a year later, Wolapaye Mitchell and Leemu Meryee Batapaye, completing junior high school at Sanoyea Public on February 8, 1959, on Firestone Rubber School, and thereafter enrolling at EJ Yancy Senior Plantation, at Division 10 Hospital in Margibi High School in Totota where she earned her high school diploma, graduating as valedictorian of the County, Republic of Liberia, West Africa.

In the early 1960s, Mother Cole’s father, class of 1981.

Benedict Wolapaye Mitchell relocated the family At her high school graduation ceremony, from Firestone to Monrovia, and then on to Mother Cole, in recognition of her academic Salala, Bong County, where he was re-assigned as excellence, was awarded a full scholarship by Head Nurse of Salala District clinic. It was there the keynote speaker, who was then an Assistant in Salala that Mother Cole began her formal Minister at the Ministry of Education, Republic education, completing kindergarten education of Liberia, to further her studies at any institution at Salala District Kindergarten School, and then of higher learning in Liberia. Mother Cole had continuing on to Elementary school, enrolling high hopes that this scholarship would enable her to study at the University of Liberia where

Mamatu

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ble MemoriesObituary-

Life Legacy & Dreams of Mother Cole

she had dreams of going on to study medicine to someday become a medical doctor, following the in footsteps of her father, a man she greatly admired, who worked in the medical field and was a great help to his community. However, after the graduation exercises, all efforts and contacts with the Ministry of Education by Mother Cole to receive the scholarship promised her came to no avail.

In addition to this disappointment, Mother Cole sat for the entrance exam of the top nursing college in town, Tubman National Institute of Medical Arts (TNIMA), only to find out when the results were released that she had not passed the admission test, when many of her high school classmates who had struggled academically were listed among the passing candidates. But these disappointments did not deter this determined, resilient, vibrant and bright young woman from pursuing higher education. With the support of her beloved brother, Paul Mitchell (now deceased), Mother Cole went on to enroll in 1982, at Kakata Rural Teacher Training Institute (KRTTI) in Kakata, Margibi county, where she was trained as a school teacher, majoring in Math and Science, and graduating two years later in 1984 with high honors and distinction as the only female student in the Math and Science department.

a role in which she became popular with the student body, as she was able to work out tuition payment plans for many students with financial difficulties.

Mother Cole went on to work with distinction for many years at St. Augustine’s and was well beloved on campus by both her colleagues and student body.

Also, in 1984, Mamatu Betty Cole met her future husband, Mr. Joseph Sao Cole, who himself had come to Kakata, from Monrovia, the capital city of Liberia, to study at Booker T. Washington Institute (BWI), the renowned technical high school in Kakata.

Four years later, in 1988, Mamatu Betty Wolapaye and Joseph Sao Cole got married, and the union was blessed in the next year with daughter, Lauretta Leemu Cole.

The Cole family resided in Kakata until 1990 when the civil war broke out in Liberia disrupting schools and normal business activities. As a result of the violence and fear, Mr. & Mrs. Cole moved their young family to Bong Mines and then on to Sanoyea in search of safety.

It was during this time that Mother Cole was once again reunited with her parents, siblings and other relatives many of Shortly after her whom had also graduation in 1984, returned home Mother Cole was offered from Monrovia, a teaching position at St. and other parts of Liberia, fleeing the brutal civil Augustine’s Episcopal war. A year after arriving in Sanoyea, Joseph and Elementary, Junior and Mamatu had a set of twins, Joseph Dada Cole, Jr. Senior High School in and Josephine Yah Cole, and the following year, Kakata city, one of the 1992, the Cole family moved from Sanoyea to most prestigious schools Monrovia, which at that time experienced relative in town, where she peace and safety, made possible by the presence of had impressed school peace keeping troops from West African countries. administrators during her internship at the school. With the family now situated in Monrovia, Later that year, Mamatu Betty Cole was also where conditions were relatively normal compared to appointed as the school’s cashier/business manager, other parts of Liberia, Mother Cole returned to the page 5

cont’d

Life Legacy & Dreams of Mother Cole classroom as a kindergarten teacher at St. Michael’s Catholic Elementary school in Gardnesville, where again she shone like a star, building a strong education foundation for many children, and winning the admiration of many parents who craved to enroll their children in Mother Cole’s kindergarten class.

Placing a high value on education, Mamatu Cole worked tirelessly (conducting private tutoring classes, selling pastries on campus, etc.) in concert with her husband, Joseph Cole, to ensure that all five of her children – Dorice Ruth, Wilmot, Lauretta, Joseph and Josephine – were able to attend Catholic schools, which at that time were among the best schools in Liberia.

As the civil war persisted in Liberia, the security situation in Monrovia became increasingly fragile. So, in late 1998, the Cole family decided to leave Monrovia for Buduburam Refugee Camp (a reception center for Liberian refugees) in the Republic of Ghana. While at Buduburam, Mother Cole observed that the quality of education that was being offered to the kids was poor. Feeling a heavy burden on her heart, Mother Cole decided to do something to help. This led her to establish study classes, which quickly filled up.

In response to the overwhelming need, Mamatu Cole expanded the study classes into an Elementary school in 2004, naming the school MaCole Home Academy, with the motto: “Quality education for all”.

MaCole Home Academy soon became a household name at Buduburam Refugee Camp for quality primary education, winning academic competitions and attracting the attention and support of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Liberian Refugee Welfare Council which managed the affairs of the camp, as well as the support of private donors and sponsors.

Then in 2004, Mother Cole’s daughter, Dorice Ruth Akete Okyne, who had earlier immigrated to page 6

the United States with her husband, Joseph Okyne, petitioned the US government to allow her parents and siblings to join her in the US. So, Mother Cole and her family completed the US immigration processes successfully and in January 2007, the family left Buduburam Refugee Camp and resettled here in Pennsylvania, USA. Here in the US, Mother Cole worked briefly as a cashier, but her love for teaching, impacting knowledge to others, soon inspired this great visionary, to trade the cash register for the classroom, and in 2008 she obtained employment as Skills Instructor with Divine Providence Village, a Catholic Mental Health service, in Springfield, Pennsylvania, where she served with distinction and won several awards and recognition for her outstanding and dedicated services, and was well beloved by the students in her workshops, co-workers and others. Mother Cole remained employed with Divine Providence Village until March 2015 when her health deteriorated and was hospitalized for the first time in over two decades, after the Cancer that was first diagnosed in November 2013 had advanced, despite completing all rounds of Radiation and Chemotherapy treatments that doctors had prescribed.

Six months later, on August 21, 2015, Mother Cole was called by the Lord to her eternal home, three days after she was admitted at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia. Unwavering in her strong faith in Almighty God, and very certain of her eternal destiny as a faithful follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, Mother Cole encouraged family members and friends who waited by her hospital bedside to wipe their tears, to be strong, to love and support one another, then declared victoriously that she was going “home at last – greatest home, sweet home”.

She also commissioned her family to carryout her

dreams of expanding the pastoral offices at her beloved Faith-Immanuel Lutheran Church in East Lansdowne, where she served faithfully for several years in various capacities including President of the Women’s Ministry, Mother of the Year, Director of the Lay Readers, and President of the Church Council, and establishing an education system in Liberia to provide quality education and humanitarian services to the children of Liberia.

Mamatu Betty Cole was a very loving and passionate person, a caring mother who did not hesitate to go the extra mile for her children (both biological and adopted), a person who was always ready to listen and provide counsel and comfort, a visionary leader and wonderful friend. She was loved dearly by her family and friends many of whom waited by her hospital bedside comforting her, lifting her in prayers, hymns and spiritual songs as she took her last breaths.

Mother Cole was predeceased by her father, Benedict Flomo Wolapaye Mitchell.

She is survived by her mother – Leemu Meryee Batapaye, her husband of over 30 years - Joseph Sao Cole, five children – Dorice Ruth Akete Okyne, Wilmot Laybeinuma Wolapaye Mitchell, Lauretta Leemu Cole Bennie, Joseph Dada Cole, and Josephine Yah Cole; seven grandchildren – Ajuah Louise Okyne, Joshua Okyne, Joseph Okyne, Jr., Flower Siama Mitchell, Morrow Tarleynu Mitchell, Samuel Garmenie Mitchell, and Bennaiah Bennie. She is also survived by her sisters – Tetima Kollie, Sianneh Wolapaye, Kebbeh Wolapaye, Clara Lepolu, Lydia Wolapaye, and Rita Wolapaye; brothers – Peter Mitchell, Freddie Baby Mitchell, Emmanuel Sumo Wolapaye, Richard Wolapaye, Moma Wolapaye, Monu Wolapaye, Larwehn Wolapaye and Worlee Wolapaye, beloved cousin Momo Wolapaye, along with a host of other cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends in the USA, Liberia and other parts of the world.

Reflections … Husband Joseph Sao Cole

Before I met my wife in Kakata, Liberia, I

always prayed to God to send me a beautiful, caring and devoted woman as a partner, sister and wife, because I had just come from a broken home. Moreover, the saying goes, “What man proposes, God disposes”.

I was blessed

when I met my wife during my education sojourn on B.W.I. Technical High School in Kakata. Meeting her for the first time some 32 years ago, I knew I was blessed because all through the thick and thin of the conditions during the long suffering civil war and our eventual departure to Ghana as refugees; my wife was always there by my side, and she was a great help to other family members and everybody she encountered. People she met during our daily activities were touched by love and concern.

When we immigrated to America in 2007, my wife still maintained and carried on all these attributes befitting a trusted partner, a sister, and a good and committed wife. My wife showed compassion and love in our household as she did to all that she encountered outside of the home. She was a person who was so strong in her faith to Almighty God and her dedicated services to the church and beyond.

What I am saying of my wife today is a living testament that is shared by so many people from this church and other communities. Indeed, she was a very compassionate and caring person because people who knew her while she was here among us have met me to say how wonderful she was. I give thanks and glory to God for the wonderful life that she lived.

I want to ask the church and well-wishers for prayers as we journey through this wilderness of bereavement. May the church also please pray for Almighty God’s continued blessings upon all of those whose lives my dear wife so compassionately touched while she was here on Earth. I thank Almighty God for this blessed day! May my wife’s soul rest in perfect peace until we meet again.

Joseph Sao Cole

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Dorice Ruth Akete Okyne Mama,

(Daughter)

The mom of love, courage, care, strength,

hope, compassion, and faith. Thank you for all the training and memories you have instilled in us.

You will never be forgotten but it is hard to say goodbye. I have been awaiting my morning calls to hear you ask me how your grandkids are doing, but I have not yet heard from you. I don't know how life will be without you. No one can be like you mama. May the God you trusted throughout your life grant you perfect peace and light perpetual shine on you till we meet again.

Love always, Akete

Wilmot Laybeinuma Wolapaye Mitchell

(Son)

On Friday, August 21, 2015, my beloved

mother and most trusted friend, the one person who could never let me down, my champion, Mother Mamatu Betty Cole, left us to be with the Lord. How I wished this day would never come! It's one of those dreadful things that you know will happen, but you wish never happens until you find yourself standing right there and then, in the moment, helpless to do anything about it.

So, it was as I stood by that University of Pennsylvania hospital bedside watching my dear mother take her last breath, after a nearly 2-year battle page 10

with that deadly disease called Cancer.

But through her pains and agony, this great woman of God who helped nurtured me into the man I have become today, kept her faith in Almighty God, she kept her comforting smiles, and in one last master stroke of a true champion, she beckoned me and my wailing siblings and friends who also waited by the bedside, to wipe our tears, to be strong, to love and support one another, and in the most assured way possible, with all of us standing confounded and listening in awe, she assured us that she was going "home at last - greatest home sweet home" ...

Mama, death has dealt us a big blow; it has robbed us of you, a great, irreplaceable friend, a mother that never hesitated for a second to go the extra mile for us. Death has wounded our hearts for the rest of our lives, created a void that will not be filled. But through this hurt, this deprivation that death has imposed upon us, we will take comfort in the faith that you helped nurture in us, in the assurance that you are safely in the arms of the Lord, where pain and death can no longer come near you.

And some glorious day too Mama, when my time down here is up, it will be a day of rejoicing to see you again!

Rest in peace my dearest mother and good friend!! You live on in my heart and in my thoughts.

I will always love you!!!

P.S.: I will do my best to remember to always “brighten the small cornerâ€? where I am ‌

Wilmot Laybeinuma Wolapaye Mitchell

ReflectionsbyMamatu’s children Lauretta Leemu Cole Bennie

(Daughter)

Mama, if love

could have saved you, you would have lived here with us for a longer time. You are the best gift life has ever given me.

You were my blessing, my treasure like no other, and that you will forever be. As I look back at these few days, I keep asking myself-Did I remember to thank you enough for all you did for me?

For the times you were there by my side to help and support me? If for any reason mama I did not show you gratitude enough for all the things you did, I’m thanking you now and I hope you knew all along how much you meant to me. Mama you were the only one that celebrated my successes, understood my problems and accepted my defeats.

Thanks for teaching me the value of hard work, good judgment, courage and integrity. Thank you for the sacrifices you made to let me have the very best.

Thank you for the laughter, smiles and times we shared.

You are gone yet not forgotten in me, although we are apart, your spirit lives within my heart forever. “When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure”. Mamatu Betty Wolapaye Cole (my endless love “mama”) you will forever be my treasure.

Save a place for me, for I will be there one day.

Your daughter,

Joseph Dada Cole, Jr.

(Son)

Mama,

Even at death you knew perfect love cast out

all fear, and you knew this life was just a journey, and you told me to be wise.

You are above the rainbows now. I can’t see you but I know we’ll meet again someday at the river banks in the midst of the city of love and peace. Rest now mom, till we meet again someday!

Psalm 103:15 – Our life is like grass the wind blows over and it is gone. I love you, Dada

Josephine Yah Cole

(Daughter)

Mother, you were a loving and caring mother.

You helped me to become who I am today because you never gave up on me. I Miss you so much.

Waking up in the morning not hearing your voice makes me feel like being in a dream land without any hope. You will always live in me.

I will always love you.

Your baby girl, Yah

Lauretta Leemu Cole Bennie

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Reflectionsby MORE love ones Clara M. Lepolu

(Sister)

When my sister

was graduating from high school, I encouraged her to be a lawyer, but she said that she doesn’t want to be a lawyer, because lawyers don’t tell truth and when lawyers die, they bend their heads down, and they don’t see God. I encouraged her to be a nurse if she does not want to be a lawyer, but she said she does not want to be nurse because she doesn’t like seeing blood. So, I asked her what she wants to be, and she told me she wants to be a teacher.

I told her teachers are poor people. But she said she wants to be a teacher to help people.

Among all of my family and relatives, the two that I loved most and was close to were Mamatu and her brother, Paul Mitchell. Now the two of them are gone. I took care of Mamatu when she was a little child, and people thought she was my daughter. I loved my sister and she loved me too. She always wanted to give me something, even when she was sick, and I came to visit her, she gave me a bag to carry home with me. Mamatu was a truthful person. I don’t remember her telling a lie. Whenever she did something wrong and you asked her, she would tell you the truth.

There was a program here in Mamatu’s church to honor people and Mamatu called me to come. I didn’t know why she was telling me to come and she didn’t tell me it was a surprise.

Then we came to church and they called me up, and Mamatu stood in front of all the people and told everyone that I’m just like a mother to her, not just a sister. Mamatu told the people how I took care of her when she was a child; how I helped her to be a clean person and taught her to cook. She made me so proud and I was not expecting it.

Again, when we bought our house in Maryland, Mamatu brought a mirror for me as a gift. The mirror was special. It had flowers around it. I asked her why do you have all these flowers around the mirror, then she said you are the mirror in the middle and the flowers represent the family all around you and looking to you.

This was so kind of Mamatu. She always loved me and made me feel so special. I will really miss my sister. I love her so much. May her soul rest in peace. Sister Clara page 12

Momo N. Wolapaye

(Brother/Cousin)

I hate death

and my hatred of death has gotten even deeper with Mother Mamatu Cole being taken away from us so soon. I remember her fondly as an elder sister who cared for me and was always encouraging. As children, we stayed with our aunt, Ma Kabeh Gbe-elee Wolapaye, in Lofa County at some point, and Mother Cole (whom I only knew as Betty) was like a second mother to me, protecting him from others and was very keen on helping me learn my A, B, C and getting me ready for school. After several years of being apart when I moved to Monrovia and Mother Cole moved to Bong County, I learned that Pa's (my uncle) daughter, Mamatu, would be at her late brother, Paul's, graduation from high school and I was excited to meet another of Pa's daughters only to learn that she was my beloved Betty whom I had not seen for a few years. At that graduation, while Paul was honored, Sis. Mamatu was celebrated as the next in line to graduate, which we all looked forward to, and she didn't disappoint us. In her true sense of always wanting the best for everyone, Sis. Mamatu desired to follow her father's footsteps of helping everyone by empowering them through education. Hence, she decided to attend teacher training, which she did and became an excellent teacher. When we later met some of her classmates from the Kakata Rural Teacher's Training Institute (KRTTI), we learned how tough she was in standing her grounds and challenging her male counterparts at a heavily male dominated institution. Her contribution to the education of the next generation never ceased, even when she was forced to leave Liberia during the civil war.

Another admirable characteristic of Mother Cole that we will miss her dearly for is her commitment to family, which she often shared with us and reminded us of how we need to stick together and support one another. Since Sis. Mamatu met Vanilla (my wife), she embraced her whole-heartedly and loved her just as she loved me. She seemed to be more excited about us moving to New Jersey than we were because that brought us much closer to the family in Philadelphia. Little did we know that her exit from this scene would be so soon.

While we do not question God's decision to take His child home, we only wish He would have allowed us the opportunity to share this life with her a little longer. We miss her dearly and know we always will. Sister Mamatu, please greet Pa, Paul, Thomas and the rest of the family who have gone ahead for us, and may your soul and the soul of all the faithful departed rest in perfect peace.

Momo N. Wolapaye

Jaynet Goodlin

Martha Sumo

(Friend)

(School Mate)

ask God why such things happen. It’s hard to overcome the death of my beloved friend and sister, Mamatu Betty Cole, whom I commonly called “Real Girl Dodo”. We are grieving the death of my friend today.

However, I learned a lot from her that make my life better today. I know her to be very empowering and she was always there for everyone whenever they needed her. She always told me “Real Girl, don’t give up in life; don’t be a loser but be victorious”.

She proved this saying in the time of her illness. For example, when I visited her in July for Leemu’s (her daughter) wedding, I remember her remarks, “I shall live, I shall not die. I shall live to proclaim the words of God”. From these words I knew how strong she was in fighting this illness.

What makes me so sad today is that I didn’t see my friend before she took her last breath. I know she would have wanted to see me and hold my hands in such a time. Behold it was death calling her and people around did not know until she was gone.

Go in peace “Real Girl Dodo”. I love you forever! Martha Sumo

when we had to say hello, or good night. For 43 unbroken years we spent together, and because of conditions and school we had to separate. War came and went by, but God still had us in mind. So he sent us to the USA in different ways.

We again met and never left each other’s side till death. We went everywhere together, and led the Women Department at church together for two years as President and Vice President. Your love to me could never be measured. We had fun in school and after school days. You are gone but thank God for the kids you left here, because I see you in the five of them which will make me never to forget about you ever.

I love you and will miss you. My love. Jaynet Goodlin

Death is eminent and no one can “My Love” was the name we always called each other

Gurley James

(Friend)

Some people come into your life for a season, others for

reasons. Mamatu came for reasons after meeting her in 1992 when I moved my school from Paynesville to Gardnersville, next to where she lived in Liberia. She and I survived the war together with our children. After the war subsided, we drifted apart and got reconnected in the USA, and before going to her final resting place, she said I am leaving the children with you. The days we shared were simply miraculous.

There are not enough words to describe how important her friendship was and the powerful influence she had on me.

Bye my friend till we meet again. Gurley James

Victoria H. A. Abrahams

Co-Worker

(former Teacher and Principal, St. Michael Catholic Elementary School)

Mamatu Cole joined

the faculty of St. Michael after the war, when the recruitment of qualified teachers was crucial in order to maintain the quality of education and standards Catholic Schools were known for prior to the war. As we all know Early Childhood Education is the foundation of the educational process. So the target was to recruit the best. Hence, having professional teachers in this area was an asset to St. Michael Catholic Elementary School. And Mamatu Cole was a professional and one of the best Kindergarten teachers at St. Michael.

She was first and foremost a gentle, loving, patient and kind mother to her children and that attribute was extended to the students placed in her care. As one of the Kindergarten teachers also, Mamatu and I spent a lot of time together creating new ideas, developing strategies to reinforce learning.

She was a very

talented and creative teacher.

Her classroom was always richly decorated with the best learning aids. Mamatu was then a young mother with very young children who like everyone else had her own struggles in life. But never did she ever come to class with a frown; always a smile for everyone.

Mamatu my dear sister, friend and co-worker you will never be forgotten. Whenever I think about my days at St. Michael, you Mamatu Cole will be an integral part of those thoughts. I still sing the Flag Day song we developed together and can vividly remember how excited we were in your classroom that day singing and singing. I can see you now Mamatu coming through the gates of St. Michael (tears, tears, tears) with your children - little Leemu and her brother and Yah. Your work on earth is done my dear!!! The strife is over; the battle is done!!! St. Michael, the Archangel awaits you at the pearly gates. We love you but Jesus loves you best. Go on and rest in peace!!!!

Victoria H. A. Abrahams

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Rev. Dr. Moses Suah-Dennis

Minister

(Sr. Pastor, Faith-Immanuel Lutheran Church)

I first met Mother Mamatu Betty Cole at

the Emmanuel Lutheran Refugee Congregation (ELRC), Buduburam Refugee Camp, Ghana.

She and her family joined the ELRC shortly after arriving in Ghana to seek refuge from the Liberian civil war in the early 1990s. She immediately put her skills to work in the Sunday School Department and became its superintendent. In addition to leading the children of the ELRC, Mother Cole became part of the teaching staff of the ELRC elementary school and eventually established her own school—the Macole Home Academy (preschool 7th grade).

Mother Cole continued her February 8, 1962 baptism calling to a life of faithful service as a life long Lutheran when she reunited with her Lutheran family and favorite Pastor at the Faith Immanuel Lutheran Church, East Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, in 2007. She was elected Women

…I am home at last, greatest home, sweet home…

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Ministry President for a 2-year term in 2011 and Congregation Council President in January 2015. She was a founding Board member of the Association of Liberian Lutherans in he Americas (ALLIA).

She was an affectionate person and passionate as a leader. Some of her favorite sayings were: “live when you can live,” and “when the capable are not available, the available become capable.” She was a larger than life person.

Sister, Mother, Grand-mom, Teacher, President and MC for life, Mamatu Betty Cole departure created a huge vacuum that will only be filled by honoring the legacies of her firm faith-based life and leadership. I pledge my personal commitment to making her vision and dreams realities.

May her soul and spirit and those of all the faithful departed rest in God’s peace and light perpetual forever shine on her; in the name of her Creator, Savior and Sanctifier. Amen!

Rev. Dr. Moses Suah-Dennis (faithimmanuel.org)

Victory In Jesus, My Savior Forever

Because He Lives I Can Face Tomorrow

I heard an old, old story, How a Savior came from glory, How He gave His life on Calvary To save a wretch like me; I heard about His groaning, Of His precious blood's atoning, Then I repented of my sins And won the victory.

God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus; He came to love, heal and forgive; He lived and died to buy my pardon, An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!

Refrain O victory in Jesus, My Savior, forever.

He sought me and bought me With His redeeming blood; He loved me ere I knew Him And all my love is due Him, He plunged me to victory, Beneath the cleansing flood.

I heard about His healing, Of His cleansing pow'r revealing.

How He made the lame to walk again And caused the blind to see; And then I cried, "Dear Jesus, Come and heal my broken spirit," And somehow Jesus came and bro't To me the victory. (Refrain) I heard about a mansion He has built for me in glory.

And I heard about the streets of gold Beyond the crystal sea; About the angels singing, And the old redemption story, And some sweet day I'll sing up there The song of victory. (Refrain)

Chorus Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, Because He lives, all fear is gone; Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, Just because He lives!

How sweet to hold a newborn baby, And feel the pride and joy he gives; But greater still the calm assurance: This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!

Chorus Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, Because He lives, all fear is gone; Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, Just because He lives!

And then one day, I’ll cross the river, I’ll fight life’s final war with pain; And then, as death gives way to victory, I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives!

Chorus Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, Because He lives, all fear is gone; Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, Just because He lives!

By and By, when the Morning Comes

(Refrain)

We are often tossed and driven on the restless sea of time; somber skies and howling tempests oft succeed a bright sunshine; in that land of perfect day, when the mists are rolled away, we will understand it better by and by.

Refrain By and by, when the morning comes, when the saints of God are gathered home, we'll tell the story how we've overcome, for we'll understand it better by and by.

Trials dark on every hand, and we cannot understand all the ways of God would lead us to that blessed promised land; but he guides us with his eye, and we'll follow till we die, for we'll understand it better by and by.

(Refrain)

We are often destitute of the things that life demands, want of food and want of shelter, thirsty hills and barren lands; we are trusting in the Lord, and according to God's word, we will understand it better by and by.

Temptations, hidden snares often take us unawares, and our hearts are made to bleed for a thoughtless word or deed; and we wonder why the test when we try to do our best, but we'll understand it better by and by.

(Refrain) page 15

Order of Repass Master of Ceremony Rev. Joseph O. Lloyd

Arrival of Guests and Family Seating of the Family Prayers of Thanks for meals Announcements Meal is served

Additional Remarks, Tributes, and Presentation of Gifts & Contributions Family Friends Organizations Others

Final Thanks Prayer Dismissal

Acknowledgement

The Cole and Wolapaye-Mitchell families wish to extend sincere thanks and appreciation to Pastor Moses Suah-Dennis and the entire Faith-Immanuel Lutheran Church Family; Friend Forever Birthday Club; the Liberian Community in Pennsylvania; the Management and Co-workers at Divine Providence Village; Pallbearers of Friends Club in Philadelphia; to friends from far and near; neighbors and Well-Wishers. Thank you all for making the celebration of life and homegoing of our beloved mother and wonderful friend, Mother Mamatu Betty Cole a success. Mother Cole is now safely home at last, in her greatest home, sweet home, with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Interment

Arlington Cemetery

2900 State Rd, Drexel Hill, PA 19026

I will

always be with you

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free, I’m following the path God laid for me.

I took his hand when I heard his call, I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day, to laugh, to love, to work, to play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way, I’ve found that peace at the end of the day.

If my parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered joy.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, Ah, yes, these things too I will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow, I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My Life’s been full, I savoured much, Good friends, good times, a loved one’ touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your heart and share with me, God wanted me now, He set me free.

I am home at last, greatest home, sweet home…

Mamatu Betty Wolapaye Cole