Elizabeth Aghafekokhian Omoregie-Edewi (Nee Igbinovia)
Elizabeth Aghafekokhian Omoregie-Edewi was borin in Ugnonba Village of Edo State Nigeria to Joseph Igbinovia and Uyigue Erahon on January 18, 1931. She was the 2nd oldest of 10 children. She attended Ugonoba primary school and was later withdrawn from school by her father to help out with the family farm. As a result, she did not complete her primary education as a woman’s education was not of priority in those days.
Elizabeth Aghafekokhian met her future husband, Mr. Gabriel Omoregie-Edewi in Ugonoba Village back in the early fifties in one of his visit to his older sister. They later got married and moved to Benin City. They later had 7 children: Felix, Anthony, Patricia (Ayo), David, Daniel, Emmanuel (Lucky) and Vivian (Iyore).
She later learned some trades in which she excelled and served her well later in life. She was a good trader and was known throughout Ugonoba for her trading skills - buying and selling farm produce. She later went into the Akara (Bean Cakes) business. She was known and well liked for her honesty and integrity.
Elizabeth was disciplined and hard working. She helped her husband to raise her seven children and four step children including countless of her siblings, relatives, neighbors and in-law’s children. Many children she helped raise who would not have gone to school, all went to high school and onto university because of her generosity. She was always willing and ready to help her relatives and friends whenever their needs arose. The family house at Uwa street popular known as the White House was always packed. She loved to feed everyone that came to their house. Iye, as she was fondly called, also helped her mother, Mrs. Uyigue Igbinovia, raise her younger sisters as their father, Mr. Joseph Igbinovia, passed away when they were very younger. Her generosity knew no bounds. She was truly a mother to so many and why many people refer to her as Iye-nogie.
Throughout most of her life, Elizabeth Aghafekokhian or Iye, maintainted an active membership at Christ Chosen Church of God Mission Benin – City Edo, Nigeria and later changed to Christ Apostolic Church of God Mission popularly known as CACGM in Benin City. There she was able to develop and grow her intense love of the Bible. She later graduated in Edo Bible School and became an Elder leader in the CACGM.
Elizabeth instilled her faith in God in her children and taught them the importance of serving and glorifying God and above it all, humility. She made sure all her children knew God and went to church every Sunday. Missing a Sunday church service was not an option. This practice she continued even after moving to the USA in the early 2000’s. She became a member of the CACGM Boston Branch and later followed her daughter Vivian (Iyore) to Born Again International Ministry. Elizabeth subsequently became a member and later ordained an Elder of the Church. She faithfully attended every Sunday even when she became ill. It was her great faith in God that got her fought some difficult times over the years including two years ago when she was only given a few weeks to live. To the amazement of her medical doctors, she went from a hospice patient to a fully recovered patient. Throughout these trials and tribulations, her faith in God never wavered - it only helped her persevere.
Elizabeth Aghafekokhian Omoregie-Edewi was a God fearing and well-respected woman by all who had the opportunity to meet her. Shew as a caring wife, devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to many. She went home to be with her lord and savior Jesus Christ on March 21, 2018. She will be greatly missed by everyone who had the privilege to meet and know her. She will forever remain in our hearts and memories. May she continue to rest in the bosom of the lord Iye.
Services for Elizabeth Aghafekokhian will be held at Casper Funeral Services located at 187 Dorchester Street in South Boston on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 10 AM followed by a burial at Braintree Cemetery around 1 PM.