Funeral program 1

A Celebration of Life

Cecelia

CHEPAY COOKE NIMLEY Sunrise: May 26, 1958 Sunset: March 14, 2016 Saturday April 2, 2016 Service: 9.00 am

Victory Harvest International Church 2536 South 59th Street Philadelphia, PA 19143

How Tedious and Tasteless the Hours How tedious and tasteless the hours When Jesus no longer I see!

Sweet prospects, sweet birds, and sweet flow'rs, Have all lost their sweetness to me.

The midsummer sun shines but dim; The fields strive in vain to look gay; But when I am happy in Him, December's as pleasant as May. His name yields the richest perfume, And sweeter than music His voice; His presence disperses my gloom, And makes all within me rejoice; I should, were He always thus nigh, Have nothing to wish or to fear; No mortal so happy as I; My summer would last all the year.

Content with beholding His face, My all to His pleasure resigned, No changes of seasons or place Would make any change in my mind.

While blest with a sense of His love, A palace a toy would appear; And prisons would palaces prove, If Jesus would dwell with me there.

Dear Lord, if indeed I am Thine, If Thou art my sun and my song, Say, why do I languish and pine?

And why are my winter so long?

O drive these dark clouds from my sky; Thy soul-cheering presence restore, Or take me unto Thee on high, Where winter and clouds are no more.

Order of Service Officiating Clergy

Pastor Anthony F. Tarnue/IFPC Bishop Gabriel Lardner/Fellowship of Intercessors Pastor Anthony K. Sengbe/Victory Harvest International

Praise & Worship/Prelude IFPC and Victory Harvest

Invocation

Bishop Gabriel S Lardner

Fellowship of Intercessors Ministry Selection Dorothy Nimley

(Sister-in-law of the Deceased)

Scripture Reading

Old Testament: Psalm 90:1-10

Min. Steve Kweh

New Testament: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

David Cooke

(Son of the Deceased)

Selection Tributes

Int’l Free Pentecostal Church The Family

Obituary

Dr. Joe Jimmeh

Offering Selection

“How Tedious and Tasteless the Hours”

Eulogy

Pastor Anthony F Tarnue (Int’l Free Pent. Church)

Prayer for the Family Rev. Maron J Jones

(New Fellowship Baptist Church)

Acknowledgements & Announcements Benediction Pastor Anthony F. Tarnue ( Int’l Free Pent. Church)

Postlude Organist

Legacy and

The

Sovereign Lord God, our Almighty Father knows our beginnings and endings. He created and cares for us in the first place. He loves and draws us with an everlasting love ( Jeremiah 31:3), and when He calls, we answer. There can be no delay or disobedience at such a moment; each is subject to that call in this earthly waiting room!

That

eventful call came for Cecelia. During the early quiet Monday morning on March 14, 2016, about 4:00 am EST, she answered that call as her breath /spirit returned to God (Ecclesiastes 12:7). From the land of tears, toil, pain, death and dying, she has gone to her rest.

Born into a goodly heritage, Cecelia was the fourth child of the late Thomas and Joetta Cooke, on May 26, 1958 in Harbel, Firestone, Liberia, West Africa. Taught by her mother and other page 4

teachers, Cecelia attended Harbel Elementary and Petertown schools; she continued her education and graduated from Bassa High School in Lower Buchanan, Grand Bassa County.

Self-motivated and hardworking, Cecelia sought employment successfully. She worked as a welder, LAMCO Mining Company in Lower Buchanan and in food service in the Catering Department, Roberts International Airport. For several years, she served faithfully leaving lasting impressions as a dedicated, reliable, and light-hearted person.

When the Liberian uncivil war (1989-2003) broke out, Cecelia was courageous, brave, and smart as she navigated through grave dangers to keep herself and family safe and secure.

She transported her mother and daughter Pearline from Kakata, Liberia to Ivory Coast. Later, she contacted family members in the United States who were instrumental in bringing them over to Philadelphia, USA. Philadelphia was home away from Liberia. She lived here and worked in several Nursing facilities including IHS; Horizon, and Divine Providence.

Family & community were sacred to Cecelia’s life. In 2011, Cecelia traveled to Liberia and married her husband, Opio Nimely and made it possible for him and his son, Frank Nimely to join her in the United States. In the wide circle of connections that

d Life

of Cecelia Chepay Cooke N imely

she fostered, Cecelia, in her own special way, made Philadelphia not just the city of brotherly love but sisterly love as well. She was very lively, jovial, loving, and friendly. She was one-of-akind! She was the community sister to all she met regardless of tribe, race, nationality, etc. She simply enjoyed making people happy and putting smiles on their faces regardless of what she was going through. She made herself available at many community events as helper. As we say, “everyone’s problem was Cecelia’s”. She attended various churches around Philadelphia, and it will be fair to say, she was a church member-at-large.

The crowds here today testify of Cecelia presence in life and death. Indeed, she has preached her own eulogy.

and Frank Nimely; grand children: Nejay Jordan Cooke, Devin Cooke, Devina Cooke, and David Joel Cooke; sisters: Maryetta Wesley (Nathaniel Wesley), Roseline Mydea Jimmeh ( Joe Jimmeh), and Theo Flahn; brothers: Joseph Cooke and George Wellington Cooke; Several nieces and nephews and a host of relatives, friends and acquaintances.

May C-square, Cece blue, Aunty Cecelia, Sister Cecelia, General, Cookie and Ma Cece rest in perfect peace.

Cecelia has answered her call.

In these difficult end times, may the sadness and sorrow of our countenances make our hearts better (Ecclesiastes 7:2) to turn to God. Let us confess and repent from our sinful ways for God will abundantly pardon all who seek Him (1 John 1:9, Isaiah 55:7).

Cecelia was affectionately called: C-square, Cece Blue, Aunty Cecelia, Sister Cecelia, General, Cookie and Ma Cece.

We shall miss Cecelia, the adventuresome, helpful, caring and free spirit. Images of her will continue to spark fond memories: her jovial self, her smiles and laughter, and her positive energy of peace and love that she always shared.

Althoug h Cecelia is from a large family, she is being sorely missed already and her spot can never be filled. She leaves to mourn her loss: husband, Opio Nimley; children: David Cooke (Andrea Weah), Pearline Cooke,

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For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God. JOB 19:25

At the Grave Ceremony Hymn

“God Be With You til We Meet Again”

Prayer

Pastor Anthony Kawala Sengbe (Victory Harvest International Church)

Commital - (Rev. 21:1-7) Pastor Anthony F. Tarnue (Int’l Free Pent. Church)

God Be With You til We Meet Again God be with you till we meet again; by his counsels guide, uphold you, with his sheep securely fold you; God be with you till we meet again.

Refrain: Till we meet, till we meet, till we meet at Jesus' feet; till we meet, till we meet, God be with you till we meet again.

God be with you till we meet again; neath his wings securely hide you, daily manna still provide you; God be with you till we meet again.

(Refrain) God be with you till we meet again; when life's perils thick confound you, put his arms unfailing round you; God be with you till we meet again.

(Refrain) God be with you till we meet again; keep love's banner floating o'er you, smite death's threatening wave before you; God be with you till we meet again.

(Refrain)

Interment

Fernwood Cemetery

I’m Free 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.

Janice M. Fair-Salters

6501 Baltimore Ave. Lansdowne, PA 19050

Mistress of Ceremony Sando Williams Johnson

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