Missionary Deaconess Dorcas Awe laid to rest in Ilesa

Deaconess Dorcas Monisola Awe, a devoted Christian, missionary and mother whose life was marked by faith, service and commitment to the work of God, has been laid to rest in Ilesa, Osun State, in accordance with her wish.

The interment was officiated by senior ministers of the Apostolic Gospel Church, Ikoti, Ilesa, where her father, Apostle David Odekunle Omosebi, once served as president. The officiating ministers were the current president of the church, Apostle R.E. Adeyemi, and its Superintendent, Pastor Wale Olowoyeye.

Her burial brought to a close a series of funeral activities held in Lagos to celebrate a life spanning 94 years, from 27 February 1932 to 17 July 2026.

The funeral programme began with a Service of Songs on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), King’s Royal Palace Parish, Festac Town, Lagos.

The service, conducted by the Assistant Pastor in Charge of Lagos Province 21, Pastor Peter Oyesiku and other ministers from RCCG Dominion Chapel, Arepo, celebrated Mama Awe’s deep devotion to God and her enduring love for hymns and worship. 

The Funeral Service and Thanksgiving followed on Saturday, 10 October 2026, at the same parish, drawing family members, church leaders, friends and well-wishers to honour her life and legacy. A reception was subsequently held at King’s Hall, Frankids Amusement Park, Festac Town, Lagos.

Born into a Christian family in Ilesa, Deaconess Awe was the first child of Apostle David Odekunle Omosebi, a pioneer of the Christian faith and former president of the Apostolic Gospel Church, Ikoti, Ilesa. Her mother was Deaconess Felicia Dada Omosebi.

Her life was shaped by faith from an early age. After completing her formal education at Standard Six, she trained as a seamstress and fashion designer before marrying the late Pastor and Prophet M.A. Awe of The Apostolic Church.

Together, the couple served in various missionary stations across present-day Ondo and Osun states, including Akure, Okitipupa, Ondo, Ipole-Ijesa, Odo-Ijesa, Igangan, Otan-Ile and Ilahun-Ijesa.

Their missionary years brought considerable challenges, but Deaconess Awe remained a steadfast partner in her husband’s ministry.  Beyond her support for the pastoral work, she was known for her prayer life, singing ministry and practical care for people in the communities where they served. She also assisted women during childbirth and in the postnatal period, drawing on training she received for this work.

Music was a defining feature of her life. With a powerful tenor voice, she participated in church singing and used her gift in worship and ministry. Her love of hymns extended into her home, where singing remained an important part of family life across generations.

As a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she nurtured a large family and remained a source of prayer, encouragement and support. Her family remembered her not only for her years of service in the church but also for the sacrifices she made, the hardships she endured during the missionary years and the values she passed on to her descendants.

Her decision to be buried in Ilesa was a return to the town where her life began and where her family’s Christian heritage was deeply rooted. The participation of the leadership of the Apostolic Gospel Church, Ikoti, gave the interment added significance, linking her final journey with the church’s history and her father’s legacy.

Deaconess Awe’s life was celebrated under the theme “A Life of Faith, Service and Songs” — a fitting reflection of a woman whose devotion to God, commitment to others and love of worship remained central to her identity.

She is survived by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other family members, who will continue to cherish her memory and the legacy of faith and service she leaves behind.

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