Annie Ngoya Muteba

Beloved brothers and sisters,

It has pleased the Lord, the creator God, to call to Himself, on Thursday, February 6, 2025 from the city of Denver, Colorado; the soul of our sister, mother, aunt, Annie Ngoya Kapinga Muteba of happy memory. Who was Annie Ngoya Kapinga? Civilly known as Annie Ngoya Kapinga Muteba; affectionately called Maman Annie, Ya Annie or simply Yaya.

Born on June 9, 1954 in the city of Luluabourg, (currently Kananga) she was the daughter of Papa Martin Tshitoko and Mama Marianne Benyi Misenga; naturally from the Democratic Republic of Congo (Ex Zaire) In the Province of Kasaï-Central Lulua District Kazumba Territory Bena Ngoji Group (ba ku Bilomba). Ya Annie was the eldest daughter of the great Tshitoko family; and was raised with her 17 siblings.

From an early age, Ya Annie advanced academically, she completed her primary studies at E.P. Janua Caeli (currently known as E.P. Buena Muntu), in Kananga (Ex Luluabourg). She then completed her secondary studies at Lycée Janua Caeli (currently known as Lycée Buena Muntu), in Kananga (Ex Luluabourg). She furthered her education attending the University of Lubumbashi, from where she graduated in 1974 with a degree in African Sociology. After completing her studies, Ya Annie recruited into the public administration in Dominican Republic of Congo, in Kinshasa; she had notably climbed the ladder at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, where she ended her professional career on Congolese soil with the rank of Head of Urban Division for Rural Development.

In 1985, Ya Annie married Jean Michel Muteba in Kinshasa. She was a loving and devoted wife. With this union, she adopted Daniel, Nathan, David, Martine and Charlotte who took great pride in the care and nurture of her family. She was later blessed with grandchildren, Faida, Josiah, Jelani, Ethan, Jua, Kiyo, Sionne, Salem, Amielle, David, Joel and Amiyah. They fondly remember all the happy and precious moments they shared together, especially the Christmas Eve celebrations at home, where they all would exchange gifts and enjoy good foods with each other’s company. 

Ya Annie decided to pursue life in the U.S., therefore migrating in 1992; she followed her husband, who had moved 2 years prior, and she has had her naturalization for more than 25 years.

After migrating to the U.S. she continued her studies, obtaining degrees in Sociology and in Science and Arts. She also earned several certificates for post-graduate training.

Thanks to her diplomas and certificates of studies obtained on American soil, Ya Annie opened doors of employment in the U.S. where she worked tirelessly. Ya Annie loved working because she was aware of the responsibility that she had to her household, and family close and distant.

To know Ya Annie was to love her, she was a kind, benevolent person, who believed in the true meaning of humanity. In the shade of her wings of love, many found refuge; she fed many hungry people, and quenched the thirst of many. 

In her free time, Ya Annie enjoyed watching movies, reading books, and listening to gospel music. Most importantly, she enjoyed spending time with her family.

The Lord will surely remember all her good works, as it is written in Revelation 14:13 "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on! Yes, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, for their works follow them". 

Ya Annie was a fervent Christian. She gave her life to Christ in the early 1980s, within the Cité Béthel community, where she washed the feet of the saints until her move to the U.S. She continued to serve the Lord at Ralston Creek Church in Arvada, Colorado, until the last breath of her life.

A brother, currently pastor of the Bethel/Lemba Salongo assembly, and who knew her at the time, gave this testimony of her: "Sister Annie was the person that everyone would like to meet and spend time with, she radiated joviality, affection, sincere love and kindness".

Even on her hospital bed, where she spent the last hours of her earthly journey, Ya Annie breathed peace every time the people who were at her bedside sang Christian hymns for her. 

It is therefore without fear that we can lend her the words of the Apostle Paul taken up in 2 Timothy 4:7: "I have fought the good fight; I have finished my course; I have kept the faith". This wonderful woman of God will truly be missed.

She is preceded in death by her father, Martin Tshitoko; her husband, Jean Michel- Muteba; and 3 brothers.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Martine (Alfred Alain Yomon) Tshiela, Charlotte T. (Cele) Bimbi, Daniel M. (Sandra) Bea, David T. (Julia) Bea, and Nathan K. (Chela) Bea; 12 grandchildren; brothers, Richard Ntumba Tshitoko, Jean-Joseph Ntumba, Ghislain Mubabinge, Jean Tshibi, Robert Breapua, Jubilee Dipa, and Martin Mushiya; sisters, Christine Dikanda, Helene, Mbombo, Marianne Benyi, Bela Mpemba, and Sylvie Musambi; and more than 60 nephews and nieces, cousins and friends.