AMERICUS — Mrs. Aurora Adebowale Adunni Owolabi, 85, passed away on Oct. 31, 2015, at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus, Ga.   Funeral services will be held at noon on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015, in the chapel of Aldridge Funeral Services. Pastor Rhys Key will officiate. The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4, 2015, in the chapel of Aldridge Funeral Services and at other times at 179 Quail Drive, Americus, Ga.
Mrs. Owolabi was born on Dec. 4, 1929, in Lagos Island Local Government Area of Laos State to the family of Late Pa Isaiah Akinyemi Bajulalye (fondly known as Papa Custom) and Mama Hannah Tinuola Bajulaiye (née Oni). The third child of four siblings, Mrs. Owolabi started her educational pursuits in 1937, when she attended the Baptist Academy, Broad Street, Lagos. Upon completion of her primary education in 1942, she proceeded to Reverend Luka’s school for secondary education (high school). Thereafter, she enrolled at Singer’s Sewing Institute in Lagos in 1949, where she trained successfully as a dressmaker. After distinguishing herself in training, she was offered employment by the company and she worked there from 1949 to 1962. In 1959, she worked for six months at the Singer’s Sewing Institute in Bristol, England. In search of a brighter horizon, she left the Institute for the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing in 1962 where she worked as a clerical assistant. She retired from the Federal Service in 1976, after 14 years.
In between her career pursuits, she married Mr. Victor Bamidele Owolabi in 1954, and the marriage was blessed with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. In her early years, Mrs. Owolabi, fondly known to many as “Mama,” was a committed and active member of the Methodist Church of Nigeria. In 1960, she began worshiping at Folawiyo Bankole Memorial Methodist Church, Ikate Surulere. Lately she worshiped at Greater Vision Baptist Church in Americus, Ga. Mama enjoyed cooking, sharing life experiences and counseling younger people. She leaves behind the love of her children, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other beloved family and family and friends.
Mrs. Owolabi is survived by her daughters, Dr. Omowunmi Iyabo Oyeniya and her husband Dr. Joseph Oyeniya of Americus, Ga., Mrs. Olayemi Tumba and her husband Mr. Simon Tumba of Lagos, Nigeria, and Dr. Oyinlula Owolabi of Americus, Ga.; two sons, Mr. Ayodele Owolabi and his wife Mrs. Bimbola Owolabi of Lagos, Nigeria, and Mr. Babatunde Owolabi and his wife Mrs. Adedayo Owolabi of Chicago, Illinois, and a sister Irene Mensah London.
She is preceded in death by her husband Mr. Victor Bamidele Owolabi, sister Mrs. Rhoda Jammal and a brother Mr. Christopher Bajulaiye, and her parents Mr. Isaiah Bajulaiye and Mrs. Hannah Bajulaiye.
Aldridge Funeral Services, 612 Rees Park, Americus, Ga., is in charge of arrangements. To sign the online guest book and express your condolences to the family go www.aldridgefuneralservices.com