Funmilayo Abike Makinde

Dr. Funmilayo Abike Makinde was born in April 1968 at University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, Nigeria, to Elder Samson Fashina and Professor Esther Fashina. She was the second of 5 children and the first of 3 daughters. Although she is fondly called “Funmi or Funmilayo” by many who know her, this is, however the shortened or abbreviated form of the full name of Oluwafunmilayo, which in Yoruba language means God has given me Joy/happiness. True to her name, Funmilayo was a joy to her family and friends and countless others who were fortunate to know her.

Three years after her birth, Funmilayo and her family relocated to the United States of America, where Funmilayo started and completed part of her elementary school education. Upon their return to Nigeria, she completed her primary school education and graduated from St. Franciscan Primary School in Ilesha, Nigeria and then completed her secondary school education at Queens School in Ibadan, Nigeria.

For her first (undergraduate) degree, she attended the Federal University of Technology in Akure (FUTA), Nigeria, and it was during this period that her family again relocated to the United States. Although her parents wanted Funmi to relocate with them at that time, she was determined to complete her degree and therefore chose to stay in Nigeria to complete her university education. Another and very important reason she chose to stay behind was likely so she would not be separated from her love because prior to that time, she had fallen in love with the love of her life, John (or “FM” as he is fondly known), who would later become her devoted life partner and husband. Upon graduating from FUTA with a Bachelor of Science degree – BSc in Fisheries and Wildlife Studies, Funmi returned to the United States to join her family, and one year later, she married the love of her life, John, in 1992.

Given the limited employment opportunities in the United States for foreign fisheries and wildlife degree graduates, Funmilayo decided to pursue nursing as a career, and she received her diploma in Vocational Nursing (LVN /LPN) and thus began her long career in nursing. Given her hardworking nature, Funmi later earned her Diploma in Registered Nursing (RN), and obtained her bachelor’s, master’s, and Doctorate degree in nursing. She held various roles and positions during her nursing career, such as intensive/critical care nurse, nurse manager, nurse educator, and adjunct nursing professor.

Some of the other special gifts that God bestowed on Funmi are faith and perseverance. Although she went through difficulties and struggles while trying to have children, she never gave up. She endured and kept her faith in God! Months and years passed, filled with tears, disappointments, and losses while trying, yet Funmi hung on to the promise of God that she would, in due time, be a mother. She persevered, and continued praying and hoping. In 1997, God blessed her and her husband with a wonderful son, Andrew Folajimi, and a few years later, a second amazing son - Aaron Folatomi.

Funmilayo greatly loved her friends and family, and she often sacrificed personal comfort for the good of her family and extended family. For example, when one of her sisters was going through difficult times, Funmi willingly welcomed and housed the sister along with her twin children for several months. Funmi was also blessed with the company of her parents-in-law who both lived with Funmi and her family for almost a decade while she gladly took care of them. Later, she also happily welcomed her brother-in-law’s family of four, who lived in her home for a few years. When Hurricane Katrina occurred some years ago, it caused her own parents and her sister with children to be displaced from their homes. She again opened the door to her home and housed them for several months. Funmilayo was blessed with wisdom, and so her family, friends, and associates relied on her for a compassionate listening ear and Godly advice.

Funmilayo enjoyed singing, reading novels, visiting and spending time with family and friends, and caring for the less fortunate. Most importantly, she enjoyed spending time with Jesus, serving, and participating in church activities. During her youth, she was a member of a Christian singing group, the Crusade Singers. Furthermore, throughout her life she often sang in choirs of churches she attended. She was an active member of Nigeria Adventist in North America (NANA), and she was also one of the founding members of Living Springs Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Irving, Texas, where her family currently worships. Prior to her illness, Funmi often taught children’s Sabbath school classes and served as her church clerk for several years.

Resiliency and unyielding hope are additional core attributes of Funmi. Although she had some serious health challenges that might cause some people to give up, not Funmi because she had strong faith in God and always had hope that things would improve. She fought a good fight and never gave up until God called her home on Monday, December 9, 2024. She was preceded in death by her father. Funmilayo is survived by her loving and deeply devoted husband Dr. John Folusho Makinde, two loving children - Folajimi and Folatomi, four siblings, her mother, and several nieces, nephews, cousins, uncles, and aunts.

Although Funmi has now gone to rest and we will dearly miss her, we are, however, comforted by two of her most favorite bible verses which she frequently recited during her short but impactful life: Psalm 118:17, which states, “I shall not die but live, and declare the works of the Lord” and Psalm 91:16 “I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.” These verses, together with her belief in Christ and her life of service and devotion to our Heavenly Father, assure us that although she has now departed from this imperfect world, it is only for a short time because when Christ returns and resurrects His Saints, Funmilayo Makinde will rise again, and we will surely meet again at Jesus’ Feet.

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live even if he dies” – John 11:25.

A visitation for Funmilayo will be held Friday, December 27, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Living Springs Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1424 E Grauwyler Rd, Irving, TX 75061. A funeral service will occur Friday, December 27, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, 1424 E Grauwyler Rd, Irving, TX 75061. A committal service will occur Friday, December 27, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM at Moore Memorial Gardens, 1219 N Davis Dr, Arlington, TX 76012.