TRIBUTE TO DEBBIE TERKPER FROM GRACE, ADJOA, FLORENCE AND EDWARD

Our Sister from another mother.

“Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them”

Revelations 14:13.

Words fail us, as we try to express the depth of our grief and the weight of the loss of our beloved sister, whom we all affectionately called “Sister Deborah”, “Sister Payin”, “Aunty Debbie. She was a confidant, a light in our lives. Her life was a blessing and her memory a treasure. 

Sister Debbie had a way of making everyone feel seen and loved. Her laughter was infectious, her smile could brighten the darkest day, and her words carried wisdom far beyond measure. She was the one who would check in, who would show up for others, who believed in lifting others even when she was fighting her own battles.

What we will miss most is her heart—so full of compassion, so forgiving and loving. She lived a life of grace and warm-heartedness, a life that reflected her love for God and people. Sister Debbie never sought the spotlight, yet her presence illuminated every room she entered.

Though our hearts aches and the tears flow freely, we find comfort in knowing that she is at peace, resting in the bosom of the Almighty who loves her so dearly. Heaven has gained a precious soul, and though the world feels emptier without her, her legacy of love will live on in all of us.

Sleep well our dear Sister Debbie. You fought the good fight, you kept the faith, and now, you wear the crown of glory. Until we meet again, we will hold your memory close and cherish the moments we shared.

Damrifa due, Damrifa due,

Damrifa due ne Amanehunu.

Rest in perfect peace Sister Debbie

A TRIBUTE TO OUR BLESSED DEBBIE

A Tribute to Cousin Debbie. By Prof. & Mrs. Albert M. Wright, together with their children: Fiifi, Kwesi, Mamaa, and Abe Wright

“It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts‬

Dear Cousin Debbie: It seems like only yesterday when, upon your moving to Washington DC area, Cousin Dr. Frankie Grant introduced us to you; yet it seems like ages since you suddenly left us for eternal rest without a word of good-bye. And, already, we miss you so much! All this, notwithstanding, we give thanks to God for your life and for the opportunity of being associated with you. This is because your life appears to have been like an enacted sermon to us. From childhood up to your eternal calling, you seemed to be demonstrating to us the Biblical truth of what Paul attributed to Jesus Christ, namely: that it is more blessed to give that to receive. To a number of your family members and friends, you have been a personification of generosity and kindness. Like Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, you chose the important things in life – always ready to share what you had with others, including your very life!

Your younger siblings remember that when you were all children, you always kept your share of snacks given to you at school, and after school, you would share it among them. Some friends from the early days of your marriage tell us that when you all lived in the Sakumono estate near Tema, it was your custom to lavish gifts to their children. We ourselves have experienced your generosity in diverse ways, such as times you spent on our behalf, gifts you bought for our house, and your readiness to pay for certain valuable things for us. In fact, the act of giving seems to be second nature to you; but it is to your immediate family that you raised your standard of giving to the highest level. It would appear that, in your attempt to save family members from possible anguish, apart from your immediate family, none of the others knew of the health problems you were facing. You chose to give them the bliss that comes from not knowing about your problems. To your immediate family, however, you gave everything.

Such giving is divine; it is Godlike and it is Christlike; and it is driven by love! As stated in John 3:16, “… this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” Thus it was through love that God gave us His only begotten Son who in turn, through love, gave up His life for us so that we may receive salvation and eternal life. Thankfully, we were able to pray with you during your final minutes.

We thank you, dear Debbie, for your life story of love-inspired “giving”. It is the hope of those of us whom you have left behind weeping that we will find solace in the great example you have taught us and that we will be able to rise up to challenge and the standard you have set for us.

May your soul rest in perfect peace!

TRIBUTE TO DEBBIE TERKPER FROM IRENE OKAIKOI/ROBERTSON AND FAMILY 

Our Sister and Mother Debbie, you filled our hearts with love, joy, kindness and compassion. We will cherish every second, every prayer and every hug that we shared and continue to remind the world of your light. Kwasi and Emma are in good hands. Be at peace as you lay to rest and we pray that God reunites us in heaven.

Love you forever and always,

Irene and the boys.

TRIBUTE TO DEBBIE TERKPER FROM THE HERVIE FAMILY IN FLORIDA

Mama Debbie is what we all called you. We know many people will say many good things about you. Some will claim they know you but what we shared with you was very personal and special. We talked for hours very frequently and late into the night several times a week. We shared our deepest concerns and encouraged each other. We thought that we would hold each other’s hands throughout this difficult journey here on Earth. We were not prepared for your untimely departure. Now it makes more sense what David said in Psalm 90:12, “Lord, teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom”. The brevity of life has been amplified by your absence.

Looking back, it was as if the good Lord in his wisdom and compassion, sent you down here just for some of us, to help us navigate this difficult journey.

You had an extraordinary life. You cherished living at peace with all men even to the point of denying your own basic needs and comfort. Your impact on some of us will live in us forever. It is hard to imagine how the void in us can be filled. I always told you and I believe I have been right all along that to some of us, you were more like an Angel living among us. Now that you have completed your work and have left for your heavenly abode, 2 things come to our mind as we fondly remember you:

- We know you did your part. We have no doubt the kind of report card you are presenting to the Lord and you will receive the crown of Eternal Life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

- For those of us you left behind, we feel blessed and lucky that the graceful and merciful God even gave us the privilege to share some of this life with one of His very best. Thank you for the life you lived here on Earth, for the impact you made on our lives and the Christlike example you showed us.

Rest in perfect peace with your maker who loves you far more than we do till we meet again. We shall always love you, Mama Debbie.

Dearest Aunt Debbie

In Loving Memory~

The house is quieter now.

Even the walls seem to listen for your voice,

the way it used to wrap around us

gentle, steady, always knowing what to say

even when nothing could really be said.

You were never loud.

But you were present,

like soft light through a curtain,

like a hand resting lightly on your back,

like a warm meal that says “I see you” without speaking.

We never thought we’d say goodnight this soon.

It doesn’t feel right

to walk through a world where you’re no longer

just a phone call,

a visit,

a hug away.

To Uncle Seth,

may God wrap him in the comfort

you once gave with ease.

“Fear not, for I am with you…”

We pray those words hold him

through the long, hollow hours.

To Kwasi and Emma,

they will miss your voice most

in the quiet moments:

after victories,

before decisions,

on ordinary days

when all they need is your nod,

your laugh,

your belief in them.

“Her children rise and call her blessed.”

Yes. We will echo them.

To your siblings,

who knew you before the world did,

who shared your childhood joys and wounds,

this loss cuts deep.

But God heals the brokenhearted,

and piece by piece,

He will bind what grief has torn.

And to everyone,

your friends, your extended family,

the ones you fed, prayed for, checked in on

even when no one asked,

we feel the space you’ve left.

Not dramatic.

But deep.

Quiet.

Real.

Still, even now, we see you,

in the way we treat one another,

in how we hold space for silence,

in every choice to love without condition.

You taught us that.

You are gone, yes.

But not lost.

You are home.

You are whole.

And one day,

we will meet again,

no more tears,

no more goodbyes.

Sleep well, Aunt Debbie.

You were love in human form.

And we will carry you

for the rest of our lives.❤️

Victor & Gloria Akazue