Elizabeth B Nwancha

Mami Elizabeth Bih Nwancha (aka The Queen) was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, niece, and friend to many. The Queen graduated from the earth realm to her heavenly home on Tuesday, April 6 th, 2021, at 2:51Pm Central time at Ascension St. John Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, after returning from a visit to Cameroon on Easter Sunday night April 4th, 2021, at about 9:30 pm.
Mami was born to Pa John Nde Tankem and Mama Susana Lum Tankem on May 28th, 1948, in Mankon Bamenda in the British Southern Cameroons. She came from a large family of 27 children. She was the first child not only in the family but also to mama Susana who had seven children. She lived with her grandmother Numou Ngum Moutani in her early years but later relocated to Nkambe to live with her parents. Mami Eli attended the Basel Mission School Azire-Bamenda and was among the first batch to graduate from class seven. She tried to further her education at Longla Commercial College, but her love for business led her to drop out of school to take up the passion that she had begun in her preteen years selling roasted peanuts to her schoolmates.
At age 17, Elizabeth Bih Tankem, fondly known as Eli at the time, met Evaristus N. Nwancha while riding her bicycle on the dusty Ngomgham road. They fell in love and courted for a little while before Mr. Evaristus encountered a tragic fire accident that almost took his life. On the long road to recovery friends and some family members persuaded Eli not to marry Evaristus. Because of the impact of the accident, her husband's detractors labeled him “the leper.” She defied the odds and tied the knot with the love of her life in 1965. That commitment lasted for 53 years.
The demands of being a wife and young mother did not stop Mrs. Elizabeth Nwancha from dreaming. She attended tailoring School in Douala, where she learned to design and sew clothes for both men and women as her husband took a new position at Matgenie. After graduating from the school her husband was transferred to Bamenda where she started Efficient Tailoring Services in 1972 with the love and support of her husband and doting father, who had nicknamed her “Queen Elizabeth.” Within one year, she was able to have 14 apprentices that became the springboard for Mami’s business exploits as her business continue to grow. Even when she became a mother of twins, “Mangie” as she was known by many, was unstoppable. She won a contract to sew commencement choir uniforms for P. S. S. Mankon in 1983.
Mami rose from sewing choir uniforms for the graduation class of that year to sewing prep uniforms and knitting pullovers for boys and girls. Her tireless nights of hard work and resilience paid off as she gained contracts from over five Presbyterian secondary schools. She was popularly known as “Mami Prepis” by the students. Mami was noted for her independence, and this she upheld until her final moments. Even in her last days she kept business running with the assistance of others. Mami was unwilling to change her status in the United States and paid yearly visits to Cameroon to see how her business was doing.
Though having a humble beginning, Mami’s life was legendry as she was able to interact with people from every walk of life, across states, towns, and villages. Mami’s love for people and ability to capture hearts led to her appointment as a counselor in Mankon among many other roles she played. She participated in many social groups, including “Akongni Ma’anko,” “Happy mothers,” “Niwhongnitiu’u,” “Nda’ Mboni,” and was president of Happy sisters, among others. Her love for bringing family together continued while she was in the United States. She was a founding member of the Moma’s family meeting.
Mami did not only fight the good fight of faith, but she practiced the principles of 1 Timothy 6: 17-19. She was rich in good works, generous to those in need, and was always ready to share with others. By doing so, we believe she stored up much treasure as an excellent foundation for experiencing true life with the Lord. Her heart and home were continually open to her many children, and she continued to raise family members and friends.
Mami was preceded in death by her father and mother, John and Susana Tankem, her husband Evaristus Nwancha, her three brothers Dan, Stephen, and Martin Tankem. The Queen had a rich heritage. Mami leaves behind her aunt Mami Helen Bih, her brother George Fonkem, sisters Grace Ngong and Sophie Tankem, and her other brothers and sisters, her biological children and their spouses Priscilla & Joshua, Roger and Ernestine, Roland, Odilia and Leonard, Olivia and Ungitoh. She is likewise survived by her other Children Martin, Gladys, Bridget, Fru Joe, Queenta, Micah-Charles, Kebila, Georgette, Joel, Roxanne, Silvia, Betieh, Emmanuel (Tia), Odi, Falone, Zee, Elvis, Regina. Grandchildren Christabelle, Jevenette, Faith, Jenia, Love, Rogern, Ronest, Erika-Joy, Lily, Chancy, Ella, Roclen, Liora, Ronita, Nche, Ronia, and one great-granddaughter Hadassah. She leaves behind her Nieces Delphine, Brenda, Hilda, Georgiana, Beryl, Patience Mambo, Patience Awah-Mambo, Mercy, and nephews, Napoleon, Nji-Nde, Thierry, Achu, Nche, Nde-Mbi, Nche, Fru, and a host of other nephews and nieces. She is also survived by her godchildren Isabel, Azah Bih -Nwa, Mah, Emmanuel, Joe Nkwenti, Ruth and Lum, as well as her sisters-in-arms Mami Lydia, Mami Frida, and Mami Monica Fen, her in-laws the Nwanchas, the Chengs, the Akumawahs, the Forwangs, the Andongatous, and numerous friends and acquaintances.
In her later years, Mami drew closer to God; she did not only read her daily Psalms but rose every morning at about 5:30 am to study the word of God and review sermon notes. She was adamant about writing scripture down so much so that she would call the grandchildren to help whenever she was unable to do so. Mami was an amazing sister, niece, mother, grandmother, aunt, and cousin, God-loving, reliable, and committed businesswoman. Her love for God was unquestionable. She had an excellent support system of friends and believers from diverse cultural backgrounds. Many of these people adopted her as their mother, including Rev. William and Pastor Fidelia Ashur, Overseer Steven and Pastor Velicia Shearod, Rev. Blaise and Pastor Esther Tintong, Minister Christina Williams, and many others. She prided herself in being surrounded by men and women of God as she followed these preachers and others on Facebook, You tube, and other forums.
Mami was a fashionista, she did not only design clothing for her clients, but she loved to wear fine clothing. Her close associates knew her as “Mami Nyanga.” She was an advocate for modest dressing and was quick to have an opinion and to chastise family and close friends when she felt what they had on was inappropriate.
She was a member of the Christian Women Fellowship (CWF) in Musang Congregation for over four decades and attended Living Word International Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was fondly known as Mama Nwancha at Cathedral international Church whenever she was in Atlanta visiting. Mami was relentless in her efforts to serve the Lord as she participated in feeding the homeless in Atlanta whenever the opportunity presented itself. This was a passion Mami had for God’s children in her early adulthood when she began adopting and educating orphans and children whose parents she did not even know.
Her desire to evangelize and preach the gospel was the highlight of her grand exit. She vehemently decided to go to Cameroon in November 2020 against all persuasion after having had a dream. She strongly felt that she would get healing from arthritis and Gout that were becoming debilitating. Before leaving for Cameroon in November, she said, “I know that God wants me to consult my doctor in Douala, and by the time I come back, I will be fine.” Since 2017 when Mami had a close call and recovered from being bedridden, her renewed perspective about life and Spirituality never wavered, until she took her last breath.
Unknown to us Mami had a divine mission to accomplish. Upon arrival in Douala, she started daily evening prayer meeting with her grandchildren that grew within two months to become a bilingual prayer meeting of about 25 children around the neighborhood. During her last couple of weeks all she talked about were the great things God was doing in this group and was intentional about giving all the glory to God. Family and friends will never forget “Mami” “Mangie Nwancha,” The Queen,” for her commitment to helping others, her resilience, altruism, tenacity, independence, and above all, her love for God and others including strangers. Her large community of family and friends will forever miss and cherish her.