In 1928, a child was born into the pagan polygamous family of Ofoegbu Ibekwe in Akaboukwu Village, Uruagu, Nnewi. That child became the second daughter of her mother and was given the name, EKEODU.
She grew up and became a Christian and was baptized and given the name JOY. She later got married and became the wife of Late Chief Robinson Nnabuife Nzewi (Who until his death in 1999 was the Obi of Umudualor Family).
With the marriage, her name was changed to Mrs Joy Ekeodu Nzewi (Nee Ibekwe) and the responsibility of the headship of Umudualor family women was thrust upon her at the due time.
She lived with her late husband at Aba, in present-day Abia state where she plied her trade as a cloth seller and modiste. However, the civil war of 1967-1970 forced them to relocate to Nnewi.
After the war, she combined petty trading and local palm oil produce/ sales to support her family and train her children. In the mid-1980s, she attended the adult education program here in Edoji to improve and sharpen her literacy and numeracy skills.
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By marriage, she became a member of Saint John’s Anglican Church Edoji. She was a member of Evangelical fellowship in Anglican Communion (EFAC), Women Guilds, and Mothers Union. She served the church in several leadership positions through Otu-Ifunanya, Nzuko Ogbe and the Home and Abroad women meeting.
It is widely believed among the women that her discipline, determination, and devotion to her services still rank very high. Her services were therefore acknowledged severally and includes; EZINNE RECOGNITION.
Her surviving Children and Inlaws and their respective families include;
Engr. Chukwuemeka and Dr Ada Nzewi (KSC)
Evang. Alphonsus and Elder Mrs Ada Ofomata,
Sir Mattias and Lady Uchenna Umego (KSJI), and
Revd. Chima Samuel and Mrs Uchenna Nzewi.
On the 2nd of August 2019, she went back to her maker at the ripe of 91 years.
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