A Tribute to my Mother—a woman of God.
This Mother’s Day feels different.
This time last year, I still had my mum. This year, I’m writing about her.
My mum, Mrs. Abolade Oluwatoyin Jombo, passed away on May 29, 2025 — just a day after her 59th birthday. Even writing that still feels strange sometimes.
But if there is one thing that defined her life more than anything else, it was this: she loved God. Not in a loud or performative way. But in a sincere way that shaped how she lived and how she treated people.
Where Her Story Began
My mum was born on May 28, 1966, in Ibadan, Nigeria, to Mr. Michael and Mrs. Comfort Adeyemo. She was the first of six children — the eldest daughter in the family.
Those closest to her called her Iyabo.
From a young age, she was known for her gentleness, quiet strength, and willingness to serve others.
She began her primary education in 1971 at ICC Primary School, Oke-Bola in Ibadan. She later attended Our Lady’s Apostles Secondary School in Odo-Ona from 1977 to 1982.
Years later, she continued her education at Yaba College of Technology, where she obtained both an OND and an HND between 2002 and 2010. She juggled being a wife, a mum and working full time whilst pursuing her higher education.
Her Career
In 1987, she began her career at Union Bank of Nigeria.
Over the next 24 years, she worked in several branches across the country, including Patigi, the Ibadan Area Office, Bank Street Jos, the Ikeja Area Office, Ebute-Meta, and Ikorodu in Lagos State.
She eventually retired voluntarily in 2011.
I remember back then when I was in secondary school, I used to visit her at work—she was always happy to see me and I was always happy to run a few errands for her. Her career was marked by diligence, honesty, integrity, and excellence.
Marriage and Family
On February 19, 1994, she married my dad, Mr. Afolabi Jombo.
Their marriage was rooted in faith, friendship, mutual respect, deep love, and kindness.
Together they had five children, and she loved and supported us with a depth only a mother truly understands. She was emphatic, compassionate and always there for us. We could talk to her easily and we never questioned if we were loved—-we simply knew she loved us.
The Way She Lived
Beyond her career and family life, my mum was known for her kindness and generosity.
She believed in doing good even when no one was watching. She helped people quietly. She comforted friends, supported family members, and extended help to those in need.
She was never too tired to give and never too busy to care. One verse that often comes to mind when I think about her life is the one that says not to let your left hand know what your right hand is doing (Matthew 6:3). That was how she lived — doing good quietly and sincerely.
Her hands were always open — to give, to bless, to encourage. This has also encouraged me to be more generous in my dealings with others.
Her Faith
Above everything else, my mum was a woman of faith.
She didn’t just attend church. She loved God deeply.
Prayer was natural to her.
Her belief was childlike in innocence, yet strong in conviction. Her relationship with God wasn’t only something she spoke about — it showed in the way she lived. Many people who encountered her often left feeling encouraged, comforted, or strengthened.
Becoming a Grandmother
About two years before she passed away, my mum received one of her greatest blessings — she became a grandmother.
She embraced the title with so much joy.
She was so happy and so proud of the title ‘Grandma’.
Her Final Years
In the last few years of her life, my mum also faced serious health challenges. She lived with a chronic kidney condition and battled other health challenges.
Watching someone you love go through that is never easy. But even through those difficult seasons, her faith in God remained steady. She trusted God and believed a better place was waiting for her in heaven.
The Hope We Hold On To
Of course, my mum was not perfect. She had her flaws, just like every human being does. None of us lives a perfect life. But what mattered most wasn’t perfection — it was who she trusted. My mum accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Saviour. She was made perfect in Christ.
And because of that, we have hope.
The Christian hope is not that we become perfect on our own, but that we are made righteous through Christ.
The words of Scripture feel very real to me now:
“To live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)
As much as we miss her, there is comfort in knowing that she is at peace now.
She is no longer dealing with pain, hospitals, or treatments.
She is home.
And for someone who loved God the way she did, there is no better place to be.
Until We Meet Again
My mum is survived by her loving husband, her five children, her grandchild, her siblings, and many family members and friends whose lives she touched.
But more than anything else, she leaves behind a legacy of faith, kindness, and love.
Mummy, You were our heart.
Even though you are no longer here with us, we carry your voice in our hearts, your prayers in our spirits, and your example in the way we live our lives.
Thank you for everything.
Rest well, Mummy.
Until we meet again.
So many people whose lives she touched have shared tributes in her memory. You can read them here.
Called to Priesthood 
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