1958
Adebisi
2020
Adebisi Bolatito Ethel Wickliffe
March 26, 1958 — May 31, 2020
Adebisi, ‘Debisi’, as her dad lovingly called her, entered the world on March 26th, 1958 to
Adewunmi and Gladys Wickliffe. She was born in Gudi, Nasarawa state, the third-born of six
children. She was introduced to Christ at a young age, which laid the foundation for how she
lived her life. Adebisi attended Ladi Lak Institute Primary School and later went to Reagan
Memorial Primary School. She attended Methodist Girls' High School in Yaba for her secondary
school. She worked as a clerk at the Nigerian Airways where she met and later married Olugbo
Faderin in December 1978. Adebisi was the mother of 5 children, Kunle, Kayode, Yemisi,
Taiwo, and Kehinde. She traveled to the U.S. in November 1979 and moved to Maryland. She
held various jobs, from a newspaper courier to a gas station attendant, in order to put herself
through college at Bowie State University.
After College, she decided to turn her culinary skills into a business and set out on the path to
becoming an entrepreneur. In the early 90's, she began selling authentic Nigerian dishes out the
trunk of her car. She would go to cab stands in Washington D.C. and sell her food to anyone
she saw. She sold food in scorching summers and in snowy winters. She soon began renting a
small space in a restaurant to sell her food but in 1992, she took the plunge and opened her
own carryout restaurant in Washington D.C. named TopTwins Carryout. TopTwins was very
successful and became the go-to spot for Nigerian food. Customers traveled from as far as New
York on a weekly basis to purchase her food. Her success allowed her to expand and, in 2001,
she opened TopTwins Faze II Restaurant. This was a multi-level restaurant and lounge on
Georgia Avenue in Washington D.C.
“Mommy TopTwins”, as she was commonly referred to, was a trailblazer and TopTwins Faze II
was ahead of its time. It was a family-run restaurant that served Nigerian cuisine during the day
and on weekend evenings, operated as a lounge where up-and-coming Nigerian artists
entertained her crowds. After closing shop in 2006, Adebisi went into the healthcare field to
work with the elderly. Still passionate about cooking, Adebisi continued to cater events and sell
meals to her longtime, faithful clients.
Adebisi was known to be a hard worker but also enjoyed relaxing and having a good time. She
loved the beach and enjoyed traveling, cooking for family, quality time (whether on the phone or
in person) and shopping. Everyone who knew her, knew she was stylish. She loved dressing
up, even on a store run.
Before anything, Adebisi was a believer. She was able to beat cancer in 2016, by the grace of
God. Through her treatment she remained faithful and prayerful. Her faith was an inspiration to
her whole family, her nurses, and the hospital staff. Her blessings were what inspired her to give
back and bless others.
As a family, we hope she is remembered for her giving spirit. There was never a need she didn’t
try to meet. Her passion to serve others is unmatched. While raising her family, she would take
her children to the homeless shelter to serve food and give clothes, a practice that her children
carry on. She also opened her home to many guests— family or friends, whoever had a need.
Though she is missed, she will be remembered as a mother, sister, friend and loved one who
cared deeply and gave her best no matter the cost.
Our beautiful Adebisi is survived by her mother, all of her children, her grandchildren, her
siblings, and several nieces and nephews.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Adebisi Bolatito Ethel Wickliffe, please visit our flower store.
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