Grace Belita Mundende
1955 – 2019
Grace Belita Mundende, 63, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 31, 2019, in Edmond, OK. She was surrounded by her loving family.
Grace was born in Luanshya, Zambia, to Mr. Mark Kangwa Chikaka and Martha Ngosa Chikaka on July 10, 1955. She was very active in school. She was the member of many sports teams and set several records which were not broken for some time after her departure. She was also selected as deputy head girl. After finishing secondary school, Grace went for military training through the Zambian National Service. Upon completion she obtained a teaching degree and taught primary school for several years. On May 6, 1979, she married her husband, D. Chongo Mundende. They just celebrated their 40th anniversary.
Grace migrated to the United States in 1991 where she focused on raising her children and volunteering. The church was always a part of her life, and she regularly attended services throughout her life. She loved cooking and could often be found in the kitchen making delicious meals or watching cooking shows. It was best to visit her on an empty stomach because she insisted all guests eat. Grace was always generous and interested in knowing about the people around her.
She is survived by her husband, D. Chongo Mundende, and wonderful children: Chongo (Don) Young, Mulenga Mundende, Mwenya Mundende, Kangwa Mundende and Lombe (Mitch) Tranmer; grandchildren Belita and Wilhelm Young; brothers: Alfred Kangwa Bwalya (Kirsty), Alex Chikaka, Dominic Chikaka, Pascal Chileshe Chikaka (Fungai Kasaila); sister: Joyce Chola Chikaka; aunties: Eunice Bwalya Bwembya, Mwango Chikaka, and Christina Chibwe Bwembya; uncle Phillip Mwelwa Chikoti; sisters-in-law Kumoyo Mwangelwa and Mubanga Mwansa; and many cousins, nephews, and nieces, and their children. She was preceded in death by her parents: Mark and Martha Chikaka; siblings: Annie Chikaka (and her husband Phanwell Manyara), Christopher Chikaka, and Reuben Chikaka; uncles Pascal Bwembya, Felix Bwembya, Chewe Bwembya, Chama Bwembya, and Amon Katongo Chikaka; aunties: Rachael Chikaka and Maria Chikaka; as well as, brother-in-law: Paul Akende Mwiya.
Grace was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, auntie, niece and grandmother, and is sorely missed.
Public visitation will be held on Sunday, June 9 th from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Matthews Funeral Home. Services will be held Monday, June 10, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at The Edmond Seventh Day Adventist Church with interment to follow at Gracelawn Cemetery.