Biography

Dear mother, Deaconess (Dr) Patience Ehisienmen Iyamu was born to Archbishop John Enoyogiere Edokpolo and Princess Osarenmwinda Edokpolo (both of blessed memory) on the 12^th of February 1959. She hails from Evbueghae in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria.

She attended Payne Primary School and Edokpolo Grammar School. Whilst in secondary school, she developed a passion for business and started petty trading. This business idea was not well-welcomed by her father who wanted the best for his children. However, the best for mama was business. She excelled in every area of her business, and her father eventually supported her as much as he could. Her mother (popularly called Iye) was also a great influence on her success in business because mama learnt the tenets of business from Iye in New Benin Market.

Back in her early days, she was a beautiful young lady with a melanin popping, dark colored skin which reflected her warm and unique personality. She got married to her dear husband, Rev. (Dr) Wilson Osarobo Iyamu who hails from Urhonigbe town, Orhiomwon local government,in 1979 and has been blessed with five children and fifteen grandchildren. Her marital life was one that was admired by her peers, because it was a classic example of “for better for worse”. They both supported each other in their early years of marriage, and he was of immense support during her most vulnerable time before her passing to glory. She was also survived by brothers, sisters and relatives.

Business-wise, she started travelling to Aba, Onitsha and Lagos to purchase goods for sale. Concurrently, she was working at Benin Owina River Basin (from 1982 to 1995) and learning fashion designing at Upper Mission Road, New Benin Market. Upon launching her fashion house in 1992 called Patwilly Enterprise, she started exporting sewn clothes to Europe, America and Canada. She later started selling textile materials, became a wholesaler, and supplied to other market women (Proverb 31:24). She was a registered vendor with Asabatex and was popularly known as the first woman who started Ankara Asho-ebi in New Benin Market and in extension, Edo State. She greatly flourished in the business and expanded her business abroad to countries like Republic of Benin, India, China, South Korea and United Kingdom. Mama never ate the bread of idleness (Proverb 31:27) as she imbibed the culture of business and financial growth in all her biological and non-biological children.  No wonder, some of her non-biological children endearingly refer to her as “Iye my baby”. According to Ecclesiastes 9:10, she passionately pursued all her endeavors and by the grace of God, excelled in every area.

Spiritually, Deaconess (Dr) Patience was a serving member of Uselu Baptist Church until Dec.2023 when her husband retired as the Reverend in charge. Due to her commitment, dedication and passion towards the works of God and generosity towards humanity, she was honored with the mother of Year during the Women Conference of the United Baptist Mission at the headquarters in 2010. In 2015, she was awarded Mother of the year at the United Baptist Church, Iguosa parish. Her excellent character and distinguished service also won her the mother of the year award in 2018, courtesy United Baptist Church, Medical Store Road, Uselu parish. She was a member of the Lydia Cross of the United Baptist Mission Headquarters, Benin City. She was a permanent member of Bible Society of Nigeria and was honored with a Doctor of Divinity award by Jubilee School of Ministry, USA on the 16^th of October 2022. Between 2017 – January 11^th, 2024, She was the head of women at the Medical Store Road Parish until she was called to glory on the 12^th of January.  May she have a perfect rest in Jesus Name, Amen.

Her benevolent and charitable personality echoes even in her death, because she was an extremely kind, empathetic and compassionate woman. A common theme in all the tributes from family and friends is her magnanimity and how she positively influenced all around her. Mama extended her hands to the poor and was always willing to put a smile on the face of others even if it meant denying herself of some things. Whist her light illuminated all around her, she was the perfect example of Mama Bear to us, her children. As we rise (up) and call her blessed among women, we strongly believe that her mission was to see us excel. Even on the day of her death (12^th of Jan 2024), documents were signed in favor of her children.  Her mantra was “God, help me to escort my children to a place where they will not be afraid” and she did! Whilst we are experiencing profound grief due to her passing, we console ourselves that our grief is Heaven’s gain.