THE late Elder (Mrs) Mercy Okoronkwo Kalu (Nee Azuma) was an Emerald and a virtuous woman even unto death. She could still have scaled through a beauty pageant till her last days on earth.

She was a committed and dedicated wife that the heart of her husband safely trusted “so that they had no need for a spoil”. She did him good and not evil all the days of her life with him. Given her antecedents, she rose while it is still night to give meat to her household and a portion to others in need.

She was known for strength and honour and she always opened her mouth with wisdom, and in her mouth flowed the law of kindness.  On July 7, 2015, she went to the farm. She was ready to go back on July 8 but death came, signifying that she was in health but had a divine call to come back home having done her part on mother earth. “Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth he Lord, she shall be praised and given the fruit of her hand”.

The late Kalu was born in 1939 in Ezi Akirika, Amakofia Ututu in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State to the family of Elder Okeke Azuma. Her mother, Mgbore Okeke Azuma was married from Eziukwu, Obiene Ututu. Her father, Okeke Azumah was the first Presbyterian ruling Elder in Amakofia Ututu during the time of the first Reverend John Ijeoma from Amannagwu, Arochukwu, Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State, under Ututu Parish of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria (PCN). The family was a core Christian family.

The late Kalu was married to Mazi Okoronkwo Kalu of Eziukwu compound, Amakofia Ututu, Arochukwu LGA of Abia State in 1958. They lived at Kumba, the Republic of Cameroon. The marriage was blessed with 10 children and today, she is survived by four children and numerous grand children and a great grandchild.

While in Kumba, the late Kalu brought her Christian background to the fore. She lived a devoted Christian. In 1962, she returned home from Cameroon and renewed her membership with the Presbyterian church of Nigeria, Amakofia Ututu Congregation. She was a strong member of the Women Guild of Nigeria and a good servant of the Most High God. In 1998, she was ordained a ruling Elder of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Umuiwe Ututu parish.

Her death was a miracle, she was never sick. She danced her way unto glory that morning before she finally slept in the Lord. What a peaceful death!

She is survived by her aged husband, Mazi Okoronkwo Kalu, three sons, one daughter, three daughter in-laws, one son in-law, two sisters and one brother, 11 grand children and one great grandchild. She will be interred today, Saturday, January16, 2016 at her hometown at the age of 76 years.