Rev. Gbessi William Francis Kemah, Sr.

September 6, 1926 – November 14, 2022

The Kemah, Swawou, Peal, Scott and Suehn families announced with profound sadness the home going of the late Rev. Gbessi W. F. Kemah, Sr., who transitioned from labor to reward on Monday November 14, 2022, at One O’ Clock Post Meridian, at his residence in Takoma Park, Maryland, USA. His passing though sad yet was peaceful; he was surrounded by love and care from his family.

Born of a humble beginning in Suehn Township in 1926, the Reverend Gbessi W. F. Kemah lived a full life of Love, Faith, Charity, Family, Community Outreach, Hard Work and Honor. He loved and was love by his family, church and community.

Reverend Gbessi W. F. Kemah is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mrs. Esther Siatta Peal Kemah, his children: Louise M. Scott (Fomba), Fatu Kemah-Hubbard (James), Kpaka N. Kemah (Gloria), Yungor Mae Kemah, David A. Kemah (Agnes), Gbessi W. Kemah (Tenneh), Zingbeh Kemah (Justina), Nathaniel Aqui Kemah (Fatu), Jatu V. Kemah, Harriett Kemah-Kilimi (Sam), Joseph Jallah (Olive), Lloyd Scott (Tryphena), Kanvee Lavelah (Beyan), Jartu Smallwood Robertson, P Chester Mulbah, Ernest Donah (Deconti), Korpo Kemah-Nathan (Marcus), and Deddeh Kemah. His many grandchildren, which include: Tony Kemah, Jenneh Musu, Ballah Alphonso, Jaiah Fomba, Jr., Jaimal Floyd, Yatta Kula, Mormon Musu, Seth, Devine, Emma Esther, Estelle Saiveh, David Delvin, Adrian Richard, James Thomas, Sando, Musu, Nancy Musu, Korlu Xenia, Caleb Gbessi, Gbessi Beyan, Jada O, Deborah Deddeh, Israel Dante, Quienette Siahfatu, Gabriel Gerald, Marcus Clarence, Jr., Daniel Maxwell, Benvee, Janet, Barney, Esther, Bintu, Sam, Mully, Eric Zoebohn, Emmett Zoekai, Emeric Zoeduo, Jean Marc, Gabriel, Josephina, Ian, Frank Musa, Ivana Jehwo, Yungor, Deborah and Chesterline. Six great grandchildren including: Agnes, Ballah, Jr, Ballel, Christian Zokai, Imali Maghony-Rose, and Amber Blea. Several Nieces and nephews to include: Jatu Lavelah Travers (Rubel), Florence Clarke-Lymas (John), Esther Kemah-Doe (McKenzie II), Sando Williams-Freeman, Vanii Jones, Dorothy Williams, Francis J. Kemah, Quoiquoi Kemah, Varney Peal, Amelia Clarke Sims, Nathaniel Bility, John Moore, John Taylor, and many others in the Kemah, Swawou and Peal families. The Rev. Genevieve Garnett and the United Baptist Church family of Silver Spring, the Faith community Baptist Church of Silver Spring, the Bethel Delaney Baptist Church family, the Providence Baptist Church Family, the Suehn Family, the Franklin Apartment family and a host of relatives and friends in the US and Liberia.

Reverend Gbessi W. F. Kemah was predeceased by his daughter, Nancy Musu Kemah, son, Rev. Sando K. Kemah, (brothers) Momo Kemah, Varney Kemah, William S. Kemah, Francis Z. Kemah, Mully B. Kemah Sr., (sisters) Yungor Kemah-Kamara, Korlu Kemah-Tellewoyan, Ruth Kemah-Jones, Demah Kemah-Morris, Korpo Kemah-Gedon, Garmai Kemah-Gayflor, Miata Kemah, Deddeh Lavelah, and Korpo Scott.

Services in the U.S.
Saturday, December 17, 2022, at

St. John’s Baptist Church
9055 Tamar Drive, Columbia, Maryland, 21045

Viewing & Reflections:
9:30 am to 10:45 am
Celebration of Life at 11:00 am

The remains of Reverend Gbessi W. F. Kemah will be flown to Liberia, where final funeral rites will be said. Services will be held at Bethel Delany, where he served as Pastor from 1985 to 1994.

Services in Liberia
Bethel Delany Baptist Church
Suehn Mission
Township of Suehn, Mecca District, Liberia

Wake keeping
Friday, January 13, 2023, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Celebration of Life Service:

Saturday, January 14, 2023, at 9:00 am
Bethel Delany Baptist Church

Internment
Swawou Family Cemetery

For Information in the U.S.:
Mrs. Fatu Kemah Hubbard
240-485-6628

Ms. Yungor Kemah
240-605-7474

Ms. Louise M Scott
404-247-6384

For Information in Liberia:
Mr. Kpaka Kemah
0886542383
011-231-770-741-260

Mr. David A. Kemah
0886248009

Mr. Zingbeh Kemah

231-777-885-337