This memorial website was created in memory of our beloved Father,Grand fatherand brother, Chief, Sir. Festus Okeahialam, 95, born on December 23, 1920 and passed away on February 13, 2016. We will remember him forever.
This is to inform all that we have fixed the burial to be on Saturday, 5th March 2016 in His home town Umueleagwa Onicha Ezinihitte, Mbaise Imo State. We invite you all friends, family and well-wishers to join us bid him final farewell.
Tributes
Leave a tributeWhen I left home on January 2nd 2016 with my family for Jos at the end of the yuletide season, I felt an inexplicable sense of void, unusual on similar previous circumstances. On return to Jos, each time I thought of you, I felt I no longer had you in a mental and psychic embrace; which had always been the case. I then made up my mind to visit home before Easter to spend time with you. That was not to be because first I was informed you had taken ill. My worry heightened when all remedial actions were shackled at every turn.
Then hospitalization.
Then my mental anguish until Prof. Ikeme’s admonition of me that ‘the old generation must pass away’ brought me back to sanity.
Then Tim telling me he didn’t like what he was seeing and took the proactive step of administering ‘extreme unction’ to you.
By 1.45 am on that fateful day, I got a strange call twice, I believe from you apparently to inform me you were exiting this side. As the line of communication had been cut by mother nature making direct verbal communication impossible, silence greeted me each time I picked. As you wanted me to wake up, you chose an indirect approach by waking up TK (whom I learnt later, had developed emotional ties with you while you were in Jos with us). He got somehow frightened and the rapid heart action he felt got him calling me desperately. I sensed that all was not well and called Stan to ask how you were in hospital. He had nothing to report except that the nurses had checked you earlier administered some treatment and that you had gone back to sleep. Thirty minutes later he called me to say that the way he saw you, he believed you had died. At that point I said: YES MY FATHER IS GONE. Gone to the home of peace to be with the Lord but tried to alert me before the move.
Your legacies live on in us; and in your grandchildren who I am told gave you a hearty party over the yuletide season, to cheer you up not knowing it was a farewell party.
Fes, onye gbara first na St Dom, Okoroego Okeam, loving Darling of Venus, Chief Okpe Udo, the curtain has fallen and eclipsed you from this side. Shine on in eternity.
Basil Nwaneri Okeahialam (Opara gi)
The LORD lifted you and you lifted many, so what else can we say than to say thank you JESUS for making us your children.
You loved and cared for us to the end and so I stand BOLD to say we are not MOURNING but BEREAVED because I can see GOD'S mercy all around us
Rest in PERFECT PEACE man of peace chief OKPEUDO 1 of Onicha, we will miss you very much.
rest in the LORD sir, good night.
Papa got married to Lolo Bernadine Nwangaji Okeahialam (Late) in 1956. He lost his wife after 53 years of fruitful Marriage in 2009. Mama’s death destabilized Papa and He took ill two years after on 14th February, 2011. After five years from 14th February, 2011, Papa departed on 13th February, 2016 to celebrate Valentine in eternity with the Venus of His life – Lolo Bernadine. Papa will be buried on 5th March, 2016, at his home town of Umueleagwa Onicha in Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA of Imo State. You are cordially invited.
His words were always of encouragement. He was a peacemaker.
Denne Fes, we will miss you. An irreplaceable Icon has been plucked away from our family. Denne rest in Peace. You will be forever missed.
Leave a Tribute
TRIBUTE TO PAPA
When I left home on January 2nd 2016 with my family for Jos at the end of the yuletide season, I felt an inexplicable sense of void, unusual on similar previous circumstances. On return to Jos, each time I thought of you, I felt I no longer had you in a mental and psychic embrace; which had always been the case. I then made up my mind to visit home before Easter to spend time with you. That was not to be because first I was informed you had taken ill. My worry heightened when all remedial actions were shackled at every turn.
Then hospitalization.
Then my mental anguish until Prof. Ikeme’s admonition of me that ‘the old generation must pass away’ brought me back to sanity.
Then Tim telling me he didn’t like what he was seeing and took the proactive step of administering ‘extreme unction’ to you.
By 1.45 am on that fateful day, I got a strange call twice, I believe from you apparently to inform me you were exiting this side. As the line of communication had been cut by mother nature making direct verbal communication impossible, silence greeted me each time I picked. As you wanted me to wake up, you chose an indirect approach by waking up TK (whom I learnt later, had developed emotional ties with you while you were in Jos with us). He got somehow frightened and the rapid heart action he felt got him calling me desperately. I sensed that all was not well and called Stan to ask how you were in hospital. He had nothing to report except that the nurses had checked you earlier administered some treatment and that you had gone back to sleep. Thirty minutes later he called me to say that the way he saw you, he believed you had died. At that point I said: YES MY FATHER IS GONE. Gone to the home of peace to be with the Lord but tried to alert me before the move.
Your legacies live on in us; and in your grandchildren who I am told gave you a hearty party over the yuletide season, to cheer you up not knowing it was a farewell party.
Fes, onye gbara first na St Dom, Okoroego Okeam, loving Darling of Venus, Chief Okpe Udo, the curtain has fallen and eclipsed you from this side. Shine on in eternity.
Basil Nwaneri Okeahialam (Opara gi)