Oretha Choko Dennis

July 7, 1957 - May 8, 2022

OBITUARY: WE WILL ALWAYS MAKE YOU PROUD. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. Our Grandma, Oretha Choko Dennis was born on July 7, 1952 unto the union of Mr. Joseph Mator Dennis(deceased) and Mrs. Teaway Buee Dennis(deceased). Our grandma was born on Lynch Street and was reared up by the Simmons family. Our late Grandma started her primary education at St. Theresa Covenant in Monrovia. She and her family moved to Grand Bassa County in 1964 and she attended the St. Peter Claver Catholic high school, but later dropped out. Our late grandmother graduated from James Johnson Academy in 1983. Our Grandma also attended Buchanan Bible Training Center and graduated on May 18, 1996. Oretha was a fluent Bassa speaker. She could read and interpret the entire Bible in our Bassa dialect. Oretha got baptized in Bethlehem Temple church (P.C.A.F.I) on Lynch Street. When grandma moved to Buchanan, she worshiped with the Bethlehem Temple church (P.C.A.F.I) and was a member of the choir. She also served as a prayer warrior in the church before she traveled to the United States of America in 2008. While in America, our late grandmother, Oretha Choko Dennis, worshiped at the Faith Revival Temple Church and participated in all the church’s activities until her transition to glory. Her son, Pst. Caleb H. Yalartai is the Administrative Pastor for the church. Our Grandmother and a few of her friends established an online prayer band in America (Galizia and Christian Prayer lines.) The group's motive was to pray for people in distress and troubling times, and I think few people in the church can also attest to that. Grandma was spiritual. She could pray throughout the night and never get tired. In our pilgrimage, Grandma taught us some of life’s most important lessons such as love, kindness, respect, forgiveness, prayer, etc. And she did so in a unique, but powerful way. She inspired and influenced us through her actions. While with her words she was humble and caring, in her actions she was bold and powerful. Our Grandmother embodied this understanding of compassion. In our family, she was the most thoughtful and kindest soul. She listened without judgment. She gave without expectation. With outsiders, she brought the same compassion. In recognition of her valuable humanitarian services rendered to the church and society, she was awarded a Certificate as Mother of the Year in 2003 from N.B. Whitfield Memorial Church, UMC. She was also awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the 2009/2010 class of St. Peter Claver High School in Buchanan. She helped out because it was the right thing to do. Instead of judging, she sought to understand them. Unfortunately for us, our grandma was diagnosed with lung cancer back in 2017 and went under some chemotherapy and God was able to give her five extra years. However, the cancer returned in the latter part of 2021 aggressively. She went through some agonizing surgery but never complained a bit. She fasted, prayed, and held onto her faith until her death. Our grandmother sadly passed away at 12:00 midnight on May 8th 2022 ( Mother’s Day.) She was predeceased by her parents: Mr. Joseph Mator Dennis, Mrs. Teaway Buee Dennis; her siblings: Andrew Dennis, Ezekiel Dennis, Kormah Dennis, Dehyonnehyeh E. Dennis, Patricia S. Dennis, Edward Dennis, William Dennis, Susan Dennis, Darbo Dennis, Yeazon Dennis and Hannah Dennis. Mother Oretha Dennis is survived by her children: Saviour I. Yalartai, Layoumah R. Yalartai (Rudolph Chesson), Caleb Yalartai (Grace M. Yalartai), Marlayee B. Garway, Yonnee B. Zoryou (Amuchin Zoryou), Williams Mator Weeks, Patrick Blagay, Zangar Freeman and Emmanuel Freeman, Jr. She leaves to mourn her loss, 21 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, her brothers, and sisters: Isaac Dennis, Fannie Dennis, Harrient S. Dennis, Rebecca M. Dennis, Salomon Dennis, Amos Dennis, Jeremiah Dennis, Rose Dennis, Cora D. Whear (James C. Whear) Luke Dennis. Furthermore, she leaves to mourn her lost Bishop Harmon D. Yalartai (father of her children), including his wife Esther T. Yalartai, brothers: Bennett, Wilmot, Saturday, and other siblings, a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In my Fathers words “the last thing my mom asked of me was to feed her and I fed her. She looked at me and she said “thank you my son”. I kissed her on the forehead, and I said “you’re welcome and I love you.” Oretha, we love you. Rest in Peace!