Reverend Yaw Awuah, alias Richard Amankwaah, born in Kumasi, Ghana on January 27, 1966 went on to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at 9:30 in the morning. Yaw is the second child of his mother and father. He leaves behind his mother Comfort Afua Asare, an older sister, Evert Agyekum, and two younger brothers  (not present). His father Samuel Ernest Amankwah died the same month of his diagnosis, March 2011. He graduated from Opoku Ware Secondary School in 1986, where he was affectionately called Peemot. Foreman Yaw made a career as a Journeyman Electrician. His last job was as a foreman, at VarcoMac Company. Yaw was a proud member of the Local 26 brotherhood of Washington, DC for over 20 years. He won the 61 st t Annual Craftsmanship Award, in 2017 for his outstanding work on the building of an Undisclosed Client in Arlington, VA.

His most recognizable talent is his ability to preach God's word with zeal and power. Once he gave life to Jesus Christ in high school, Yaw immediately committed his life to one of prayer and fasting.  Upon his arrival to the United States of America in 1991, he joined a full-gospel church called Rock Church of Northern Virginia. He and his wife met in a small group home Bible study in Alexandria, Virginia. After a year and a half of dating, he proposed to his sweetheart on December 24th, Christmas Eve, 1993. They later married on April 19, 1994.

Yaw and Xernova enjoyed life together with their three children in Sterling, Virginia. Their first child Miss Comfort Abigail was born in 1997 and was named after her paternal grandmother and Abigail of 2 Samuel 25. Kezia Faith their second daughter born 2000, was named after one of the daughter born to Job after his restoration (Job 42:14-15). The couple lost a son named Nathan Yaw Awuah to stillbirth in December 2004.  The Lord blessed them with another son, Calvin Josiah on July 26, 2006.

Pastor Yaw, of Word of Life International Church, served as a  sacrificially volunteer in many capacities throughout his 16 year tenure: as the Men's Ministry Leader for over 10 years, as a Deacon, a Trustee, as head Usher, a Bible Study leader, and on and on.   He served as the first Associate Pastor of WOLI. Pastor Yaw established many teams and traditions in WOLI such as: the men going to the annual Potomac District Men's Ministry Conference, participation in the District's Church Makeover-a-Church service ministry. Additionally, the  Speed the Light mission's fundraiser dinners, as well as the yearly Royal Ranger: Father and son Advance Days where he and Calvin enjoyed the participation in competitions, zip wires, and archery.

The jewel of his heart was the birth of the couple's first grandchild by their daughter Comfort and Gerardo, on August 14, 2018, now 5 months old he adored her.  All he wanted to do in his last days was to hold his precious nieta (Spanish for granddaughter).

Family present: wife of 25 years, Mrs. Xernova Yvette Awuah, daughter, Miss Comfort Awuah, daughter, Miss Kezia Faith Awuah, son, Calvin Josiah Awuah, grand-daughter, Camila Jade Aguilar and her father Mr. Gerardo Aguilar. The parents of Xernova are Mr. Marcos Ralston Elliott and Ms. Margie Milliner. Sister-in-law in attendance Mrs. Xiomara Lynette Williams [Timothy Williams] and Mrs. Kisha Lorraine Faulk [Raymond Faulk] (not in attendance). His mother, Ms. Comfort Asare (husband, not present), sister Mrs. Doris Amankwaah (Daniel Agyekum), uncle, Mr. William Cobbina, aunt, Mrs. Sika Afria, nephew, Mr. Osei Akoto Agyekum, nephew, Mr. Antwi Boasiako Agyekum, nephew, Mr. Akwasi Boachie Agyekum.

Family will receive friends on Friday, February 8, 2019 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Colonial Funeral Home of Leesburg, 201 Edwards Ferry Rd., NE, Leesburg, VA  20176.  On Saturday, February 9, 2019 family will receive friends from 10:00 am to 10:45 am at Cornerstone Chapel, Leesburg, VA where a service will follow at 11:00 am.  Interment will follow at Chestnut Grove Cemetery, Herndon, VA.