Esther G. Gompah

Services for Esther will be held on Saturday November 16th at Antioch Baptist Church, 1327 Fillmore Ave. Buffalo NY 14211. The visitation will go from 10:00am- 12:00noon where a Funeral service will immediately follow at 12:00noon. Interment Mt. Calvary Cemetery Esther G. Gompah was Born on December 29, 1949, in Gbapa, a small village in Liberia, West Africa. Esther was the youngest of five siblings and the first female in her family to receive a formal education. She began her education at the Liberian-American- Swedish Mining Company, better known as LAMCO, Area International School in Yekepa, Nimba County, Liberia, where she benefited from a diverse educational environment facilitated by American and European educators. She later attended Sanniquellie Central High School (also in Nimba County, Liberia), where most of her instructors and guidance counselors were American Peace Corps Volunteers. At Sanniquellie Central High School, Esther met her husband, J. Railey Gompah, with whom she shared 56 years of marriage. They worked together, for nearly 14 years, at the American-owned Radio Station Eternal Love Winning Africa (ELWA), near Monrovia, Liberia, where she held various positions, including roles in Radio Bible Counseling and the ELWA Hospital Business Office. In September 1981, Railey, Esther, and their children moved to Houghton, NY. During their time there, Esther actively engaged in her passions for holistic nutrition and playing the piano and organ. In 1982, Railey and Esther founded Basileia Missions, driven by their dedication to serving God in impactful ways. One of such was their effort to return to Liberia as local missionaries, which took place just prior to the outbreak of a destructive fourteen-year civil war. Ultimately, the family moved back to Houghton in 1986 and later established residence in Buffalo, New York, in 1988. Through Basileia Missions, Railey and Esther played a crucial role in resettling thousands of war refugees from various African countries, offering vital assistance as they adjusted to life in America. During this period, they also established City Hope Alliance Church (Buffalo, New York), which featured bilingual services and hosted weekly Sunday dinners. For their impactful work in the community through Basileia Missions, Railey and Esther received several encomiums from esteemed American public officials. Esther, for one, was honored by the New York State Assembly as a "Liberian-American Woman of Distinction." She was seen not only as a mother to her own children but also as a nurturing figure to many others, including her childrens friends. To her biological children, she served as a model of courage, faith, unconditional love, and resilience. Esther was a passionate advocate for multi-dimensional family ministry, significantly transforming the lives of African families over the course of more than 40 years. She was affectionately known as "Momma Gompah" by the many families she touched. Esther was deeply committed to enduring healing, holistic health, endless hope, and selfless sacrifice, enriching the lives of at-risk girls, women, and families. Esther G. Gompah passed away on October 29, 2024, following a prolonged illness. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dorcas Gbeyi and Kerwillain Tokpah; her brother Samuel Gbeyi; sisters Martha Dolo, Rachel Vulu, and Mary Miamen; and her daughter, Mantia Precious Gompah. Esther is survived by her husband, J. Railey; her children Gloria (Nicolas), D. LeRoy (Joy), Booker, Yeaben, and Zonsiluo; ten grandchildren: Michael, Michelle, Nigel, Mariah, Saleem, Jack, Jordan, Luke, Braylen, and Shelby; two great-grandchildren, Delilah and Lecari; and a host of family members and dear friends. Esther was an extraordinary person, exuding beauty in every aspect of her being. Her enchanting smile had the power to brighten any space, and her laughter was genuinely infectious. She demonstrated significant empathy towards others, marked by her compassion and passion. The influence she had on the numerous lives she touched will leave an unforgettable and indelible mark. Esther will be remembered for the profound love she had for her family, and the tremendous care she showed to friends and everyone she met. She will always be remembered for her deep devotion to her LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Esther's memory to support the Esther Gompah Institute (EGI). This initiative empowers underprivileged women and girls in her homeland of Liberia, serving as a powerful testament to her lifelong dedication and enduring legacy of service. Contributions can be sent to Basileia Missions, Inc. P.O. Box 481, Getzville, New York 14068-0481, or made online at www.basileianimbaland.org Services Visitation Saturday November 16, 2024 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM Antioch Baptist Church 1327 Fillmore Ave. Buffalo, NY 14211 Funeral Service Saturday November 16, 2024 12:00 PM Antioch Baptist Church 1327 Fillmore Ave. Buffalo, NY 14211 Burial Saturday November 16, 2024 2:00 PM Mt. Calvary Cemetery 800 Pine Ridge Heritage Blvd Cheektowaga, NY 14225