Sera Ripley Ainu'U Wesley

On April 19, 2021, Selai (Sera) Ripley Ainu’u Wesley, age 86 was called home to be with her Heavenly Father.

Sera’s story began on January 31, 1935 in the village of Fagatogo, Tutuila American Samoa. She was born to Fuaifale Tailoa Muaausa Ae’oAinu’u (father), and Pelelini Fa’agata Iotamo Tagovailoa Tagoilelagi Ainu’u (mother).

From a young age, it was clear that Sera was very bright. She graduated with honor, and continued her studies in nursing at the University of Hawaii, Honolulu.

Sera spent time between Hawaii, Samoa and the Mainland including, New York where she shared her love of the Polynesian culture with her cousin Tutasi Wilson.  Tutasi was one of Sera’s mentors; she admired her as a businessperson, actor and a popular entertainer at Hotel Lexington’s Hawaiian Room in New York City.

It was at the Hawaiian Room in New York that Sera met a handsome army serviceman, Donald Ray Wesley of Cincinnati, Ohio. They married in 1959, in Honolulu Hawaii.  As a young military couple, Donald’s active tour of duty took them overseas to military bases in Germany, Thailand, Ethiopia, Panama, and numerous U.S. Military bases across the United States.  An active military spouse, Sera supported her husband, and country through her work as a registered nurse, a volunteer for the American Red Cross, in addition to being the primary care provider for her children.

In 1977, after twenty-seven years of service, Sergeant First Class, Donald Wesley retired from the United States Army. He was a decorated veteran of two foreign wars.  As they transitioned to civilian life, Sera continued her passion for her culture by hosting a radio segment on Polynesian Culture for a local public broadcasting station. Additionally her civic and community involvement lead her to working with social services, and the public court system as an interpreter.

1982, Sera and Donald welcomed the first of three grandsons into the world, Warren, Jason, and Joshua.  Three years later the family made the decision to move back to Donald’s home town of Cincinnati, Ohio.  1985, they were blessed with the births of three granddaughters, Marcella, Elizabeth, and Amanda.  The blessings of grandchildren continued to expand, over the next several years welcoming 14 more grandchildren to the family, Nerisa, Alisha, Rayegina, Breanna, Jeremy, Jesse, Airin, Alexandra, Charissa, Serena, Julianna, Asora, Gina, and Tiffany.

Sadly, Donald lost his battle with cancer in 1999.  Sera, a devoted child of God found strength in her steadfast faith. Within the course of her lifetime, Sera was involved in leadership roles within the Church. She was an ordained deacon of the Good Samaritan Church while in Hawaii and San Diego. She cofounded the branch of the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa, at Ft. Ord, Ca. She served as an elder of Norwood Presbyterian Church in Norwood, Ohio.  Even as her own health began to decline, Sera could not be kept from her work as a deacon of Sunrise Outreach Ministries as well as the Vaipuna Christian Fellowship in Indianapolis.

In her later years, Sera spent much of her time writing, painting, and studying the Bible.  She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, and great grandchildren sharing her wisdom of life, and her deep passion for Christ. Sera was not shy when it came to meeting people, she often engaged in conversations with strangers sharing her ministry of Christ. She loved all animals especially her dogs, Baby, Ginger, Blue, Bella & Bullet.

Sera was preceded in death by her father, Fuaifale Tailoa Muaausa Ae’oAinu’u (father), and Pelelini Fa’agata Iotamo Tagovailoa Tagoilelagi Ainu’u (mother).  Her five bothers: Laai Ainu’u, Kitara Utaga, Rev. Taliloa Fuaifale Ainu’u, Albert Ainu’u, and Fuamaila Utaga.  Additionally, Sera and Donald’s infant son, Edward Wesley, and granddaughter, Rayegina Misiata.

Sera was the beloved mother of six surviving children: Berlin Beal (Michael – deceased), Charissa Wesley Sopoaga (Makerusa), Gina Wesley Misiata (Ioapo), Donna Wesley Rettig (Robert – deceased), Donald Wesley (Cedric Merriweather) and Rebecca Wesley-Tufuaga (Timoteo).

Grandchildren: Warren Beal, Amanda Beal-Van Der Moere (Jeff), Jason Sopoaga, Elizabeth Sopoaga Lualemana (Will), Jesse Sopoaga, LTJG Jeremy Sopoaga, Airin Mitchell Wesley, Joshua Wesley (DeiDra), Nerisa Selai Cervantes (Adrian), Breana Williams (Jamal), Marcella Misiata, Alisha Misiata, Alexandra Misiata, Charissa Misiata, Serina Misiata, Juliana Misiata, Asora Misiata, Gina Misiata, and Tiffany Tufuga.

Great grandchildren: Ethan Van Der Moere, Elijah Van Der Moere, Evan Van Der Moere, Ezechiel Lualemana, Elim Lualemana, Evander Lualemana, Rayegina Day, Iosefa Ainu’u, Isaiah Misiata, Leila Johnson, Zephaniah Adrian Cervantes Misiaita, Eulalia Selai Cervantes Misiaita, Malosi Luciano Cervantes Misiaita, Malosi Luciano Cervantes Misiaita, Ioapo Emiliano Cervantes Misiaita, Beau Tanielu Williams, Jasper Mitchell Ray Wesley.

Sera leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Private services have been entrusted to Flanner & Buchanan – Memorial Park.  Friends are invited to leave online condolences at www.flannerbuchanan.com.  The family kindly asks that in lieu of flowers, a memorial donation to the following charities be considered: Wounded Warriors, SPCA, and American Red Cross.  Due to ongoing COVID protocols, a live streaming of services will be provided using this link.

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