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.

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