John Williams N. Fomenky

It was a joyful day in 1956 when John was born.  The only sadness that day was when the nurse wouldn't leave John beside his mother - he had been born early and needed to be incubated.  The nurse said the following, " your son is not normal".  My Mum got her Bible and God led her to the following verse:  "Be still and know that I am God".  We now know that John's life exceeded all expectations - he grew to be a strong tall man, living well past his life expectancy of 20 years.

John spent his early years in Victoria with his mother, Beatrice Nokuri, grand parents, David and Hedwig Williams and cousin Manga Williams. He attended pre-school at Ebenezer Baptist Church and later Council School in Down Beac,h Victoria.  Later he lived in Kumba and Buea with his mother Beatice and step-father, Christopher Nokuri.  In Buea, John attended Cameroon Baptist Mission school with friends and cousins like Smith Eko, Fike Monono, Enanga Williams and Sarah Diki Luma.

At 13, John was excited to attend the famous Cameroon Baptist Academy in Muyuka with cousin Manga, Yawa Williams and friend Fike Monono. While he enjoyed boarding school life, he was often sick and didn't always receive the right meals.  Consequently, he was transfered to the Comprehensive Secondary School in Victoria where he lived with his grandma and grandpa and commuted to school by taxi or the new motorcycle his dad had bought him.

John's teenage years were exciting ones.  He made a ton of friends, attended parties, clubs and tore down the streets on his motorcycle.  He loved fashion and was always impeccably dressed with the latest suits, shoes, ties, afro etc.  He was also a serious student who exceled in the sciences.

Following secondary school, John was excited to move in with his father Joseph Fomenky and his family in Kumba.  John got to know and enjoy his new brothers, sisters and extended family. He was intrigued by the new culture and language. He would bring back endless funny stories of life in Kumba.

In 1984, John arrived Silver Spring, MD and headed straight to the hospital after of a rough transatlantic flight. At admission, his friends who took him there, gave the hospital an incorrect birth date which has persisted for years!  John realised many of the dreams most immigrants have when they arrive here:  he attended college; excelled in sales and computer consulting; bought several great cars and homes. Most of all, John was able to assist many people less fortunate than he.  He helped friends financially and spiritually; donated to several christian ministries in the US and in Cameroon; made great life-long friends and LOVED God and family.

At this time that John's life has ended on earth, we are thankful to him and to God for allowing us to know and love this very special man.  John uplifted so many people through his positive spirit, love of life, and deep commitment to Christ.  John has fulfilled his purpose on earth and now he rests with Christ  --  his father Joseph Fomenky, step-father - Christopher Nokuri, grandpa - David Williams, grand mother - Hedwig Willliams and cousin/brother - Emmanuel Manga Williams.  John, rest, till we meet again.  We love and miss you!

In the past year, John's doctors began to tell him that his organs were looking damaged from the effects of Sickle Cell Anemia and a life time of medications.  On March 5, John returned to Washington Adventist Hospital after just two days of being discharged.  He was diagnosed with renal  and subsequently, liver failure when we moved him to St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore.  The great Doctors Tasinda, Samuel Nokuri and a host of other doctors and nurses helped John fight.  But in the end the complications were too many and it was time for John to rest.  John experienced God's grace and love until the end of his life.