Ellen B. Oppong

Ellen Oppong Obituary

Ellen Opoku (Akosua Birago) was born on the 9th of July 1950 in Bompata (Kumasi). Her parents were Mr. Bernard Joseph Kwabena Opoku and Madam Kate Ansah. She started her primary school education at the K.O. Methodist Primary School. After primary sixth class, she went to Mmofraturo Girls Boarding. Sitting for the common entrance examination, she went to Mmfantsimaa Girls Secondary School in Saltpond. This was in 1966. I was done with my secondary education in June 1971.

It was a difficult task deciding what to do for a profession in those days for a young woman with meager means. She attended Bolgatanga Women Training College from January 1972 to June 1974 with a trained teacher certification after completion. I taught in all these schools in Kumasi, Asem Yaa Achia Primary School. South Suntreso Middle School, Islamic Junior Secondary School, Bohyen, and Akosa Junior Secondary School at North Suntreso. Ellen was a general science teacher throughout her teaching career and rose through the ranks to become the assistant school principal, even though she was the social principal in all her teaching posts.

Ellen was a member of multiple social groups in Kumasi. She was the parent to all her students and kids in the neighborhood and was well known in the community as Miss Opoku, Madame Opoku.

Ellen moved to the United States in 1990 after marrying her husband of 33 years.

She worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant in nursing homes in Worcester, Massachusetts, for many years. Her dream was to continue her love of teaching after retirement from healthcare. She built Paradise Devine School with her husband to continue to impact knowledge and passion to children in her community in Ghana.

Ellen was a devout member of Living Word Church, Worcester, formerly Assemblies of God Church. She, with her husband, established Paradise Devine Church in Ghana. She was born into the Methodist Church in Ghana and was a church choir member from an early age.

 Ellen was a lucky girl; she was intelligent, beautiful, and confident in her actions. She was blessed with sons and daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and many adopted children she cherished.

Chief Mourners: Kromanste and Saltpod Eguana Abusuapanyin Saman Kwanu, Abusuahenmaa Aba Esiaba, Omankyeame Nkusumku Kwesi Afenyi, Opanyin Blay Hammond; Eguana Abusuapanyin of Kumasi, Nana Kakraba, Obaapanyin Akua Baduwaa, Nana Kwa Anomah, Ababio IV of Ajumako Afranse; Ebow Hammond Brothers and sisters; Francis Ennin brothers and sisters; Adwoa Kwentswa brother and sisters; Hayford brothers and sisters; Ansah and Filson Families of Kumasi, Saltpond, and Dunkwa-On-Offin; Twifo Praso Abusuapanin Kofi Takyi, Abusaubantan Kwadwo Barko.

Widower: Rev. John K. Oppong

Siblings: Olive Violet Ansah; Charlotte Brogya Mensah; B. J. K. Opoku, Jr.; George Opoku, Vida Owusu Atuahene; Ernestina Owusu Panyin; Maxwell Opoku; Victoria Asamoah; Joyce Opoku

Cousins: Dr. Jane Ansah; Kate Aba Ansah and siblings; Mrs. Emelia Oteng-Sefa, Mrs. Elizabeth Adumatta, Christina Segua Ansah and siblings; Grace Ansah, Mrs. Emelia Wilson, Nana Amoaku Ansah; Kate Ansah and siblings; Prof. Ebo Kwaansa Ansah; Mrs. Ama Obeng Berkyaw; Judge Ebenezer Kweku Ansah; Nana Wadie Bofoogya, Kenneth Ansah; Henry Ansah, Ing. Albert Kwansa Ansah and siblings; Archibold Ansah.

Nieces and Nephews: Margaret K. Kittoe, Justice O. Antwi, Emmanuel F. Antwi, Gilbert Boye Aboagye

Children and In-laws: Paulina Oppong Adusei and Nana Adusei Atwenewaa Ampem, I, Tepamanhene; Regina Oppong; Isaac and Rita Oppong; Edward and Stella Adu-Gyamfi; Kwame and Haydee Oppong Appiah; Jones K. Appiah; Pamela Oppong and Denis Asare; Joshua Oppong.

Adopted Children: Becky (Flo); Theresa, Gabriel A. Gyasi, Michael Kwarteng, Vera Osei

Grandchildren: Elijah B. Asare and Baaba Baiden; John Oppong, Jr.; Miriam Oppong; Danielle Oppong; Roslyn Oppong; Kwame Adu-Gyamfi; Akosua Adu-Gyamfi; Yaw M. Appiah; Yaya T. Appiah; Katherine E. Appiah; Richmond Asante; Mario J. Opoku Adusei; Nana A. Ampem.

Great Grandchildren: Nana A. Asare, Nana A. Asare, Papa K. Asare; Maame B. Asare

Family and friends are welcomed to a celebration of Ellen's life on Saturday, July 29th, 2023 at Callahan, Fay & Caswell Life Celebration Home, 61 Myrtle Street, Worcester beginning at 8:00AM.  Burial will follow in Hope Cemetery.