Mercy Inyang Abai Ikwechegh

Mercy Inyang Abai Ikwechegh of Winston Salem transitioned peacefully to glory and surrounded by her loved ones on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at her home on Saddlewood Forest Drive in Winston Salem, North Carolina. She had spent over three decades in retirement in the Forsyth County area and split her time between Winston Salem and her native Nigeria. Mrs. Ikwechegh spent several years in active teaching and mentoring. In the recent past she was the president of Abai Ikwechegh Foundation.

Mercy was preceded in death by her mother, Nena Elesie Ukariwo of Abiriba, Nigeria and more recently her doting husband of several decades, Justice Abai Ikwechegh, OFR, as well as her younger sister, Grace Eme Dike.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Ureh Nena Lekwauwa (Aju Lekwauwa), Nena Abai-Ikwechegh, Ibe Abai Ikwechegh, Obi Ikwechegh (Adobi Aseme), Arunma Ikwechegh, Nena Elesie Ikwechegh. Her grandchildren, Nena Lekwauwa (Bernardo Escobar), Sam Lekwauwa, Ruby E. Lekwauwa, Abai “AJ” Ikwechegh, Mercy Ibe Ikwechegh, Okenna J. Ikwechegh, Abai C. Ikwechegh, Sommie Mercie Ikwechegh, Angel Ikwechegh, Olivia Ikwechegh and Jordan Ikwechegh-Udo as well as her great grandson, Domenic “ Nicky” Lekwauwa-Escobar. Her sister, Ndiya E. Eleanya (Ude E. Eleanya) and her niece Ojiji Dike Akwari of Virginia also treasure her legacy, as do her special granddaughters, Sarah Aluba Ukariwo and Angel Amara Aseme.

Mother is also fondly recalled as “Aunty Igbere”, “Mma May”, and “Aunty Onye Ichie” by a host of relatives who were indelibly impacted by her life.

The family expresses profound gratitude to Anthony Kummer, MD who was her physician for over 25 years, as well as Phillip Asenso, MD who made time to continue her care in the home in the last few years. Also remembered is her team of caregivers especially Genelle Duboise and Ruby Jack Hairston.

A memorial service in her honor will be held at the chapel in Vogler Funeral & Cremations at Forsyth Memorial Park, 3815 Yadkinville Rd., Winston Salem, NC 27106 on August 24th, 2024 at 12 noon.