Linda Rathbun

Oluwayemisi Linda Rathbun was born in Lagos on the 12th day of December 1964. She was the first child of her late father, Adetoro Owolabi, from Ago Owu, Abeokuta, Ogun State, who worked as a purchasing officer at the United States Agency for International Development in Lagos and later on as an accountant at Habis Travel in Kano State, Nigeria. Yemisi was the second child of her aged mother, Elizabeth Oladunni Obatusin, from Owo, Ondo State. She worked briefly at British Caledonia and later on took up trading.

In 1967, Oluwayemisi, popularly known as "Yemisi" amongst family and friends, started her formal education at Omoleye Children's School along the Ikorodu Road in Lagos. 1974, she was admitted to Methodist Girls High School (MGHS). While at MGHS, she distinguished herself in various subjects, including Government, Economics, and Cookery. The household always looked forward to those days, mostly Fridays, when she had Cookery practicals due to the "delicacies'' we were all treated to. She graduated from MGHS in 1980 after completing her A-Levels. She progressed to higher education at the Ogun State Polytechnic, graduating with a Diploma (OND) in Mass Communication in 1987. After completing her diploma, she worked at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) for a year as a roving reporter with some of NTA's experienced reporters, Chris Anyanwu, Frank Olize, and others. Yemisi was immensely adored at NTA due to her strong will, dedication, and passion for work.

Upon completing her work experience at NTA, she left the shores of Nigeria and relocated to the "Windy City" of Chicago, Illinois, in November 1989. She obtained admission to St. Xavier University in Chicago, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems. In May 2004, she graduated from the University of Maryland with a master's degree in software engineering.

The "Hard Working Yemisi” held many positions in organizations she worked for, including Senior Test Engineer at UPS Logistics, Project Manager at Neotech Solutions, Consultant QA Lead/Manager at Accenture, Associate Director of Business Systems TSYS Prepaid, QA Lead/Manager at Clearleap Inc in GA and substitute Teacher at Gwinnett County Public School in Suwanee GA.

As with family tradition, more instrumental from the maternal side, influenced by her late Grandfather, Pa Julius Ogunleye, Yemisi was a devout Christian and worshiped at St. Catholic Church in Nigeria. She was later converted to Pentecostalism and became a member of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Church in Baltimore, Maryland. Later in her years in Georgia, she joined The Redeemed Christian Church of God and returned to the Catholic Church until her death. She was well-loved in the church circles due to her priceless gift of open-heartedness and cheerful giving.

Yemisi was happily married to Richard Rathbun in August 2000. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Andrew James (AJ) and Caitlin Tolulope, whom the couple adopted from Nigeria in 2010. Caitlin's adoption was immensely orchestrated by Yemisi's desire to ensure that AJ had a sibling to share the home with.

She was blessed with the gift of getting things done almost immediately, which recalls an unforgettable encounter with our Grand aunty of blessed memory. Yemisi came back home, unaware our grand aunty was around; in her usual self, she was trying to sort some things out as fast as she could, Kílóma ńṣe ọmọ yìíná? Ó dé nìyẹn, kó ma ṣe yàfùn yàfùn…, which translates to, why is this girl this way? She has come with her ways, eager to get things done with so much passion mixed with a bit of aggression.

That slang, YàfùnYàfùn, stuck in our minds instantly and became a nickname for her.

Yemisi's hospitable nature knew no bounds. Opening the doors of their home did not require you to have a close relationship with her. All that was needed was to ask!!

The most iconic moment in her final days was when she reaffirmed her faith and belief in Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and this recalls one of the many glorious promises uttered by Our Savior. Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:25-26

Yemisi was blessed beyond measure by fulfilling the word of God, particularly in the aspect of giving: So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7.

She will be fondly remembered for her faith in God, which she constantly displayed with her attitude of endless hospitality, kindness, and effortless giving.

May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Amen

The  music service can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/live/F0qOHFlkAmc?si=VeQtHGlc7Pobz0wF

The service can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/live/-awv2UPZazc?si=yg9saaNR0gjPWsrc

Graveside Service can be seen here https://youtu.be/JSmLL9WaNNs?si=zZzlVTQ47BsmFu3T