Former ULAA National Treasurer and LCA-DC Chapter President Ms. Hawa Kpakah given state-like funeral in Wheaton, Maryland, USA (By Vamba S. Fofana, ULAA Eastern Regional Vice President) On Saturday, February 01, 2014, Ms. Hawa Kpakah, the former ULAA National Treasurer and former President of the Liberian Community Association of the Washington DC Metropolitan Area (LCA-DC), was given a send-off resembling a state funeral in the jam-packed Glenmont United Methodist Church in Wheaton, MD, a little over a month after she died peacefully and courageously at the Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, MD. Hon. Jeff Dowana, Deputy Chief of Mission and staff of the Embassy, ULAA National Executive President Hon. Gay D. Sleh, ULAA National Executive Vice President Hon. Menseh M. Jones, ULAA Eastern Regional Vice President Mr. Vamba S. Fofana, Eminent Emmanuel Wettee, Eminent Arthur K. Watson, Eminent Roberta David-Rashid, former ULLA First Vice Chairman Hon. James Rogers, former ULAA National General Secretary Hon. Isaac S. Zawolo, ULAA First Doyen John Lloyd, as well as high-profile figures from the Liberian Community Association of the Washington DC Metropolitan Area/LCA-DC (including its hardworking President Ms. Nee Allison, charismatic Board Chairman Cooper Kweme and Her Royal Highness (former ULAA Queen) Vice President Ms. Lawrena Konah), the Unity Party-USA, Margibi County Association, Bassa High School Alumni Association and Today’s Women were among the mourners. Tributes were paid by leaders of various United States-based Liberian organizations/institutions, including, inter alia, President Gaye D. Sleh, Jr. of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA), President Nee Allison of the Liberian Community Association of the Washington DC Metropolitan Area (LCA-DC), Chairman Emmanuel Reeves of the Bassa High School Alumni Association in the Americas, Chairman Garnett Y. K. Gbamokollie of the Margibi Association in the Americas, Chairman Ernest Johnson of Unity Party Association in the USA-Maryland, Rev. Oliver Lloyd, Associate Pastor of the Whosoever Will Christian Church, and President Enid Andrews of Today’s Women. Essentially, the tributes to the fallen Liberian community leader, as well as the expressions of sympathy and condolences were statements of shock and sorrow, praise or eulogy and sympathy and comfort for the bereaved families. The various speakers recalled to the minds of the listeners the virtues and qualities of the late Madam Hawa Kpakah. Surrounded by present and past ULAA officials, ULAA President Sleh conveyed to the bereaved families, the leadership and members of LCA-DC (one of the Union’s active and contributive member-Chapters) and to the other members of organizations/institutions (of which the deceased was a member) the Union’s deep sympathy upon the loss of this remarkable lady. The Union’s Chief Executive stated that it was his privilege to know her through the years she served as National Treasurer of ULAA (during the administration of President Arthur Watson, 2004-2006). President Sleh further averred that the late Madam Hawa Kpakah was a combination of unlimited energy and highest devotion. “All of us in the Union have suffered a great loss,” added President Sleh. Additionally, during his tribute to Madam Kpakah, the ULAA boss asked members of ULAA Eminent Council (Eminent Emmanuel Wettee, Eminent Arthur K. Watson and Eminent Roberta David-Rashid) and Hon. James Rogers (former ULAA First Vice Chairman) to drape the coffin bearing the mortal remains of the late ULAA National Treasurer with the tricolor Liberian flag. The Liberian national anthem (“All Hail, Liberia Hail. All Hail, Liberia Hail”) was also sung in honor of the deceased Liberian community leader. President Nee Allison of the Liberian Community Association of the Washington DC Metropolitan Area (LCA-DC) stated, among other things, that the late Ms. Hawa Kpakah was much esteemed in LCA-DC in which she lived and served as president. Hon. Nee Allison avowed that the late Madam Hawa Kpakah was generally recognized as one whose acts and deeds were worthy of emulation. In delivering the eulogy, Rev. J. Edwin Lloyd, Jr. (M.Div., MSW), Senior Pastor Whosever Will Christian Church, highlighted the significant achievements, characteristics or moments in the life of the late Madam Hawa Kpakah, including, among other things, her greatness as a Liberian community leader (LCA-DC), her passion for community service, the various positions she held in other Liberian organizations/institutions, and her numerous efforts in bringing peace and unity to LCA-DC, ULAA, Unity Party (USA) and other organizations. Above all, I came here to support the Kpakah family and show appreciation for everything she did for the Liberian Community in the Washington, DC Area (LCA-DC), ULAA, and the Unity Party-USA,” Phillip Kamara, a close friend of the deceased, said. She helped bring peace and unity to our community, and she will always stay in our thoughts, said Ms. Fatu Kromah of Maryland. I can say today that Ms. Hawa Kparkah was one of the most influential Liberian Community leaders in the DC Area,” James A. Jones said in a casual conversation, immediately following the funeral ceremony. Hawa greatly contributed to the gradual evolution of our community,” added James A. Jones. Earlier, during the wake, held on Friday, January 31, 2013, the casket bearing the mortal remains of the late former ULAA National Treasurer had been placed in the Glenmont United Methodist Church, located at 12901 Georgia Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20906, and a large number of people (including relatives, friends and colleagues) paid their respects to the hardworking lady who served as President of the Liberian Community Association of the Washington DC Metropolitan Area (LCA-DC), as well as an active member of numerous institutions/organizations, including, among others, Unity Party Association in the USA, Margibi Association in the USA, Bassa High School Alumni Association in the Americas, and Today’s Women. On Tuesday, February 4, 2014, the mortal remains of the late Madam Hawa Kparkah will be flown to her native Liberia, West Africa, where she will be buried. The former Liberian community leader died on Saturday, December 28, 2013 in Silver Spring, MD, USA. May her soul and the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in eternal peace. Amen!
Posted on: Tue, 04 Feb 2014 00:21:28 +0000
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