Agnes Kadi Lappia

Obituary for the late Agnes Kadi Lappia(Nee Rogers)
Agnes Kadi Lappia, 70, of Sacramento California passed away on Saturday October
5th 2013.
Born June 25th 1943 in Massam Kpaka, Sierra Leone, She was the daughter of the late Abu Rogers and Isata Conteh.
She is survived by her children Nepoh, Joe-Mugbe and Gbenah and seven grandchildren, Juanah (JJ), Dalima, Yeawah, Jayden, Jordan, Dalia and Elisha. Son in law Juanah Koker, Daughters in law Josephine Lappia and Linda Lappia. Siblings include, Sheku, Mustapha, David, Musa, Adeline, Isa and Munda. Extended families include the Rogers, Conteh, Wai, Kposowa, Tucker, Wahid, Dassama, Margai, Kaikai, Deen, Kamanda, Koker , Mensurah, Minah, Swaray, Lamin and Gbonda. Special relations include Adama Mcmillan, Mariatu Sowe, Pamela Pratt-Sensie, Mary Scott, the Strasser-Kings, the Mallah family, the Thomas family, Jane George, Sue Mcneeley, Tami McLarty and Penny Christensen. She will be missed by several nieces, nephews and a host of family members in Sierra Leone, Europe and The United States.
Agnes commonly called "Aggie" was a life-long learner. She started her early education at Centennial Secondary School in Mattru Jong Sierra Leone, she then proceeded to Milton Margai College where she received her teaching certificate. She taught in Sierra Leone and made a difference in the lives of her students because she believed that education was a pathway to self-efficacy. Agnes immigrated to the United States to continue her education. She received her bachelors of science in education from Huntington University in Huntington Indiana and her master's in education from the University of Wisconsin at Madison.
Agnes loved her family and Sierra Leone, this love and a desire to contribute to the development of Sierra Leone propelled her return home after completing her education in United States. For several years, she served as a lecturer in the school of education at the University of Sierra Leone in Njala. She made an impact in teaching as she trained teachers thus, making a difference in the lives of her students and generations of teachers and students.
Agnes was both an educator and a learner, she completed a second master's degree in special education at Massey University in New Zealand. She returned to Sierra Leone, moved to Freetown and worked at the Institute of Education as an in-service coordinator and later as program coordinator for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). She undoubtedly touched the lives of many, which is evident in the outpouring of support her family has received upon her passing.
In 1997 Agnes moved to the United Sates to be closer to her adult children in Philadelphia. In the years before retirement she continued her work as an educator especially with special needs children. She held several positions which included a behavioral health manager, residential advisor and a special education teacher. In the fall of 2010, under constant nagging by her children, Agnes retired and moved to California to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren.
Agnes loved God. The light of God was evident in all that she did and the strength of her faith was her rock. She sought God's wisdom and loved others in the manner God desires. Agnes was a personal confidant to many with a quiet confident demeanor. She possessed excellent listening skills and was a calming presence when others were in the midst of a storm. She loved and treasured her children, grandchildren family and friends. Her culinary skills were exemplary as her dishes were enjoyed by many. All her guests looked forward to her creations in the kitchen.
She will sorely be missed.
Memorial Service will be conducted at 11am on Saturday October 19th at St Marks United Methodist Church 2391 St Marks Way, Sacramento CA 95864
The family will receive friends on Friday October 18th from 4pm to 8pm at Mount Vernon Memorial Park: 8201 Greenback Lane, Fair Oaks, CA 95628.