Methodist Hymn Book – Hymn 349

Charles Wesley (1707–1788)

Jesus, if still the same Thou art,
If all Thy promises are sure,

Set up Thy Kingdom in my heart;
Shine on Thy work, disperse the gloom.

Light in Thy light I then shall see;
Say to my soul: “Thy light is come;”
Glory divine is risen on thee.

Thy warfare’s past,
Thy mourning’s o’er;
Look up, for thou shalt weep no more.

The words of this beloved hymn from the Methodist Hymn Book beautifully capture the life and journey of Uncle Ebow, whose mortal remains lie before us at this solemn hour, and whose memory we gather to celebrate, honor, and give thanks for. They speak of a life faithfully lived, a race well run, and the everlasting hope found in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Isaac Ebow Pesseh Sr., affectionately known as Uncle Ebow, was born on Tuesday, May 10, 1932, in Sekondi, Ghana, to Opanyin Papa Nyame Woho Pesseh and Madam Mary Roberts, also known as Nana Amnana, both of Elmina in Ghana’s Central Region. They have both gone on to glory.

He was the second of five children, born after his older sister, Jane. Followed by three younger brothers, Charles, Joseph and Ebenezer, all of whom preceded him in death.

After the passing of his mother during his early childhood in the 1940s, Isaac and his siblings were lovingly raised by their maternal aunt, Madam Elizabeth Rhule, affectionately known as Maame Esi Kwedua, at the well-known Abrosanta House on Fourth Street in Sekondi. His upbringing was further supported by his maternal uncle, Mr. Kweku Bosomtwe Roberts, and his wife, Madam Esi Acquaah Harrison. Uncle Ebow remained deeply grateful for their love, sacrifice, and guidance throughout his life.

He attended Boundary Road Methodist Primary and Middle School in Sekondi, completing Standard Seven in 1948. Shortly thereafter, he began his professional career with the British Bank of West Africa, later known as Standard Bank. As a cashier, he traveled along the railway line between Sekondi and Tarkwa delivering monthly salaries to public service workers. He was also entrusted with the highly sensitive responsibility of escorting shipments of gold bars from Obuasi under heavy security. During his banking career, he was transferred to Cape Coast and later Axim.

In the late 1960s, Isaac relocated to Monrovia, Liberia, where he served as Chief Cashier for the Liberia Produce Marketing Company, a government corporation. His reputation for honesty, precision, and integrity followed him throughout every stage of his career.

In the early 1970s, he immigrated to the United States, settling in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. There he met and married the love of his life, Christine, originally from Atlanta, Georgia. Together they built a loving home and raised five children: James, Isaac Jr., Christie (Ama), Maggie (Maame Esi Kwedua), and Kweku Bosomtwe.

After a brief period working for The World Bank in Washington, D.C., Isaac accepted a position at Howard University, where he proudly served as Chief Cashier for approximately seventeen years until his retirement in 1991. His work was a tremendous source of pride, and he often spoke fondly of his years at Howard. He approached every responsibility with excellence, professionalism, and unwavering integrity.

Isaac was first and foremost a man of deep Christian faith. A lifelong Methodist, he faithfully served in church choirs as a tenor in Sekondi and Monrovia. After settling in the United States, he joined Bishop Kow Ghunney, of blessed memory, and the Very Reverend Kofi Martin in establishing a branch of the Ghana Methodist Church in the Washington metropolitan area. Their efforts led to the founding of Ebenezer Methodist Church in Aspen Hill, Rockville, Maryland. He was also a founding member of both the Ebusua Kuw Association and the Sekondi-Takoradi Association in the Washington metropolitan area, where he remained actively involved in strengthening fellowship within the Ghanaian community.

Isaac loved both his adopted country and his homeland. He firmly believed in the promise of the American Dream while remaining immensely proud of his Ghanaian heritage. Throughout his life he embraced and celebrated the traditions, values, and culture that shaped him, passing those values on to future generations.

To know Isaac was to love him.

He was charismatic, cultured, peaceful, thoughtful, compassionate, wise, humble, and remarkably kind. He possessed quiet confidence and unwavering integrity, carrying himself with dignity in every situation. Though modest in stature, he spoke with conviction, wisdom, and strength. Family and friends often sought his advice because his counsel was thoughtful, practical, and honest. He was direct, yet always delivered his words with love.

His faith guided every aspect of his life. He loved the Lord wholeheartedly and often reminded those around him, “The Lord is good.” He taught his children the importance of honesty, integrity, respect, discipline, and living a life that honored God. His life itself became the greatest lesson he could leave behind.

He was also known for his impeccable appearance. With a smile, he often declared himself “the best-dressed Ghanaian in America,” and few would argue otherwise. Every suit was perfectly pressed, every pair of shoes polished, every tie carefully selected, every cufflink and watch intentionally worn. Whether he was wearing a tailored suit, a sweater, a stylish hat, or carrying a walking cane, he always carried himself with elegance. His closet reflected the same order and discipline with which he lived his life.

He believed that how a person presented themselves reflected the respect they had for themselves and for others. He rose early each morning, followed a consistent daily routine, enjoyed tea, toast, and a boiled egg for breakfast, and filled his home with classical music and Ghanaian highlife melodies. He often hummed, whistled, or sang along in his rich tenor voice that echoed warmly throughout the house.

Isaac genuinely never met a stranger. He greeted everyone with warmth, kindness, and sincere interest, whether a lifelong friend or a first-time acquaintance. His bright smile, cheerful greetings, and genuine concern for others made people immediately feel welcomed. He valued punctuality, believing it was always better to arrive early than risk keeping someone waiting. He also believed that good health was a gift from God, faithfully taking daily walks, eating balanced meals, and maintaining disciplined habits throughout his life.

He enjoyed reading, keeping up with current events, listening to music, and spending meaningful time with his family. Although he played soccer in his youth and sang in church choirs for many years, after moving to America he developed a great love for football and became an enthusiastic supporter of the Washington Redskins. Whatever he loved—his faith, his family, his work, his music, or his team—he loved wholeheartedly.

His greatest joy, however, was always his family.

He leaves behind his beloved children, James, Isaac Jr., Christie, Maggie, and Kweku; his cherished grandchildren, Mustapha, Brittany, Mikhal, Jeremy, Jada, Jayden, and Jordan; his treasured great-grandchildren, Aubri, Tristan, Cameron, and Amiyah; along with many extended family members, lifelong friends, church family, and loved ones whose lives were forever enriched by his presence.

During the final two years of his life, declining health required nursing care at Asbury Methodist Village, where he remained until peacefully answering God’s call.

On Friday, June 12, 2026, just one month after celebrating his ninety-fourth birthday, Isaac Ebow Pesseh Sr. was called home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

His legacy is one of unwavering faith, integrity, love, humility, generosity, and service. His wisdom, infectious laughter, timeless style, unforgettable sayings, and steadfast devotion to God and family will continue to inspire all who knew him.

Though our hearts grieve his absence, we rejoice knowing he has entered into eternal rest with the Savior he faithfully served throughout his life.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18