Grace T. Akpore

Grace Temisan Akpore, 95, of Galesburg, Illinois died Thursday, August 29, 2024 in the emergency room at OSF St. Mary Medical Center, Galesburg.

Grace was born July 11, 1929 in Nigeria, the daughter of Dorcas Unuekokehwe (Kagomo) and Monefe Abobo. She studied English /History Education at the College of Education in Abraka, Delta, Nigeria. In 1959, Grace married Demas Ono Akpore-Idise in Nigeria. Grace was the Proprietress and English Teacher at Orogun Grammar School for many years prior to emigrating to the United States in 1990. Grace was a longtime member of Radiant Worship Center in Galesburg.

Grace is survived by three sons, Jomo Ono Akpore, Sr., of Victoria, Illinois, Kevwe Salubi (Tracy) Akpore of Galesburg, and Newman Monefe Akpore of Orogun,Delta, Nigeria; two daughters, Stellamaris Ufuoma (Michael Ebo) Omu of Abuja, Nigeria and Enaite Akpore of Chicago, Illinois; one brother, Dr. Cyril Voke Monefe (Vivian) Abobo of Houston, Texas; and two sisters, Mrs. Victoria Akpovona Abobo (Tony) Osagie of Benin City, Edo, Nigeria and Mrs. Edith Eyabuno Abobo Emuakpoje of Warri, Delta, Nigeria. Grace is also survived by seven grandchildren, Voke Omu, Jomo Ono Akpore, Jr., Ghenero (Justin) Omu Scharfenberg, Kiara (Andrew) Thierry, Sade (Alphonso) Shepherd, Jr., Oghale Omu and Fejiro Omu; and seven great grandchildren, Malaki Akpore, Alphonso Shepherd, III, Amara Thierry, Asya Scharfenberg, Alston Akpore, Alani Thierry, and Ilya Scharfenberg. Including her parents, Grace was preceded in death by her husband, Demas on December 28, 1993; twin sons, Boye Onome Demas Akpore and Ejime Taiwo Demas Akpore; one brother, Dafe Ben Abobo; and two sisters, Mrs. Christiana Vona Abobo Ojoh and Mrs. Elizabeth Ogbeta Abobo Imienwanrin.

Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 5, 2024 at Radiant Worship Center, 521 W. Losey St., Galesburg. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Mark Dexter will officiate. Following services, Grace will be repatriated to be buried in her hometown in Warri, Nigeria. Arrangements have been entrusted to Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg.