The remains of Rev. Fr. Barrister Maxwell Donald Okolie was laid to rest on Thursday, 27th October 2011 at the Priests' Cemetery at the Holy Trinity Cathedral Orlu - Nigeria. As early as 8: 00 am the members of Christ faithful have started to gather at the Cathedral to pay their last respect to the beloved and worthy priest of God, Fr. Maxwell. The corpse left St. Damian's Mortuary, Okporo and was received at the Cathedral by the Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Augustine Ukwuoma. The remains was laid in state in the Cathedral and the Bishops Augustine Ukwuoma and Gregory Ochiagha, the Priests, Religious men and women, the family members, and a good number of relations, sympathizers and members of Christ's faithful paid their last respect to Late Fr. Maxwell. There was a sung Office of the Dead and other prayers for the Dead. The Funeral Mass started at 10: 00 am presided over by the Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Augustine Toochukwu Ukwuoma. The Bishop Emeritus, Most Rev. Dr. Gregory Ochiagha, and many priests both from within and outside the diocese of Orlu including his class mates (Bigard 1988 set of Priests) where at the con-celebrating side. There were many Religious men and women, and a good number of the lay faithful from all walks of life at the funeral Mass. In his homily, Rev. Fr. Luke Ijezie of the Catholic Diocese of Orlu and a Lecturer at the Catholic Institute of West Africa PortHarcourt, extolled the rare qualities of Late Fr. Barr. Maxwell Okolie. He stressed that the deaths of Fr. Emmanuel Onwuka in 1989 and that of Fr. Maxwell Okolie this year were least expected now. In his life time, Fr. Maxwell was a go-getter, brave, prudent, generous and wise. He had such charming personality that one can hardly get bored staying with him. He was so much influenced by the motto he chose in his ordination survenir card, "Blossom wherever you are planted", which were the original words of St. Francis de Salles.

According to Fr. Luke Ijezie, Late Fr. Maxwell confessed that the motto really influenced him so much and helped him to survive and handle many difficult situations. He had a very high sense of justice, no wonder the Bishop sent him to read Law at the University of Nigeria Nsukka. He was the first Priest Barrister of the Catholic Diocese of Orlu. Fr. Max lived and worked for 23 years in the Lord's Vineyard and was only 2 years away from the Silver Jubilee celebration of his priestly ordination. The Homilist prayed God to receive the soul of his servant and priest Fr. Maxwell Okolie and grant fortitude to the bereaved family and the Diocese of Orlu and enjoined on all to continue to pray for the final purification and repose of his soul.

The Prayer for Final Commendation was said by the Bishop Emeritus, Most Rev. Dr. Gregory Ochiagha (who ordained him a Priest in 1988). The interment took place at the Priests' Cemetery beside the Cathedral.

Meanwhile, Late Rev. Fr. Barr. Maxwell Donald Okolie was born on the 26th September, 1960 to the family of Late Sir B.A. Okolie of Amaebu - Ebenator, Orsu L.G.A., Imo State. He started his journey to the Sacred Priesthood at the age of 14 in 1974, he enrolled into St. Mary's Seminary Umuowa. He later proceeded to St. Peter Claver's Seminary Okpala in Owerri Arch-Diocese in 1976. He was sent to Bigard Memorial Seminary Ikot Ekpene in 1980 and Bigard Memorial Seminary Enugu in 1984. He was finally ordained a Catholic Priest by Most Rev. Dr. Gregory Ochiagha on the 4th September, 1988 at Christ the King Catholic Church Awo-Idemili to become the first indigenous Catholic Priest from Amaebu -Ebenator Catholic community.

He worked in so many places in the diocese as a young priest including Bonus Pastor Seminary Osina and C.K.C. Parish Ubulu. In 1990, the Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Gregory Ochiagha sent Fr. Max to read Law at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu Campus. He graduated and was called to Bar in 1996 to become the first Priest Barrister of the Catholic Diocese of Orlu.

In 1997, he was sent on Pastoral assignment in the United States of America by Bishop Ochiagha. He worked in the Dioceses of Washington, Navada and Lake Charles. In his last posting in the Diocese of Lake Charles, he worked as an Associate Pastor in St. Joseph's Parish Elton from July 1st 2004 to June 30th 2011. On account of failing health, he was in residence at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Jennings, Lake Charles from July 1, 2011 till the night he finally slept in the Lord on October 3, 2011. During his last few months in his pain of sickness, he was in the care of Rev. Fr. Celsius Offor of the Catholic Diocese of Orlu who works in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church Jennings, Lake Charles. May God rest him eternally!