It was a moment of mixed emotions, celebration and grief, as the family of the late Deaconess Dame Balmy J. Braide laid her to rest in her hometown, Bakana, Rivers State.
The funeral service, organised by the Christ Army Church of Nigeria, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Bakana, where she was an active member, featured a morning vigil, a parade by the Boys Brigade and other activities organised by groups and associations with which she was actively involved.
The funeral lesson was read by the Venerable A. G. Sobebo from 2 Corinthians 4:7–18, while the biography of the deceased was read by Dame Agamaba A. Tombomieye.
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The service featured hymns, a sermon, traditional spiritual songs, choir anthems, tributes and prayers for the bereaved family. Friends, relatives, church members and well-wishers gathered to celebrate the life and legacy of a woman who made a lasting impact on those around her.
Dame Balmy J. Braide was born into the family of Rev. Theophilus Norman Obu Pedro of the Chief Bealnut Amabibi dynasty. Her father served as the first General Manager of the then-famous St. Paul’s Christ Army School, Bakana.
She began her education at Christ Army School, Bakana, and later attended St. Jude’s Christ Army Church School, Port Harcourt, where she obtained her First School Leaving Certificate with distinction.
A devoted Christian and active member of the church, Dame Balmy was involved in several church organisations and activities, including the Charity League, Young Adults, Cathedral Choir and the Boys Brigade. Through her service and commitment, she touched many lives and contributed meaningfully to the growth of her church and community.
She was eventually laid to rest at the Bakana Cemetery, where the Boys Brigade performed a parade display as family members, friends and well-wishers gathered to bid her a final farewell.
The funeral ceremony attracted dignitaries from different walks of life who came together to honour the memory of a woman whose life of faith, service and compassion left an enduring impression on her family, church and community.
As the family mourns her passing, the gathering also served as a celebration of a life well lived and a legacy that will continue to be remembered by those whose lives she touched.
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