Mrs. Maxine T. "CLEOPATRA" Julien (née Dolly), age 93, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on December 19, 2025, in Houston, Texas. Born on July 28, 1932, in Angleton, Texas, Maxine lived a life marked by "F words," faith, family, friendship, food, fun—and her favorite " T word," travel.
Maxine was the beloved daughter of D.T. Dolly and Otha Lee Dolly. She spent her formative years in Angleton, where she was raised by her mother and educated in the public school system. From a young age, Maxine demonstrated resilience and independence. In her late teens, she began forging her own path as a young mother, supported by her parents.
Her spiritual journey began early in life when she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at First Missionary Baptist Church in Angleton. She later continued to nurture the faith of her children at Most Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church and Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Mobile, Alabama.
Maxine's life was rooted deeply in family. She was the proud mother of daughters Ruby, Lorraine, Dinecha, Nicole, and Jarra; sons Joseph and Eric; and bonus son Ronnie. Her love extended to her grandchildren—Teel, Trish, Wilbert Jr, Teelana, Winston Jr, Destiny, Erica, Mary, Jasmine, Jennifer, Erin, Peri, Eriel and bonus grand son Joseph II. To her cherished great-grandchildren: Ryan, Peyton, Christina, Don, Marcus, Paris (daughter), Caleb, and Joseph III (J3). She embraced the name "Grannie" with joy and took great pride in being an active presence in their lives—whether through babysitting, cooking for them, attending school events and birthday parties, or hosting Sunday dinners that became treasured family traditions.
Maxine's friendships were another cornerstone of her life. She cultivated lifelong bonds across Texas, Louisiana, and the state of Alabama where she made significant roots with friends who became like family. Among those closest to her were Clayton (MaDear), Alonzo (Lil Bro) and Jennifer McCord; Gwendolyn (Sister), Robin (niece) and Annie Crook; Delores Mitchell (Teen); Lillian Nicholas; Annette Latham; Michelle Anthony; Erica(god daughter) and Mary Jordan (Lil Sis); Debra Stallworth; and Grace McCaskey (Lil Sis). Known for her generosity and loyalty, Maxine was always ready to lend a hand—whether offering a ride to a doctor's appointment or preparing a home-cooked meal just because. Her friendships were anchored in love and mutual support.
A gifted cook with an intuitive palate, Maxine was renowned for her culinary talents. She taught herself to cook by taste alone and delighted in preparing meals that blended American staples with cultural influences from Mexican, Chinese, African, Italian—and especially Soul, Creole, and Cajun—cuisines. Her meals were more than food; they were acts of love. Whether it was a school fundraiser, church event, family picnic or holiday feast, Maxine's kitchen was a place where hearts were nourished as much as stomachs.
Maxine also had an unquenchable zest for fun. She was known for her quick wit and humor able to "jank" or "rank" with the best of them and for her competitive spirit at the card table. A fierce Spades and Bid Whist player well into her later years, she often held court late into the night with laughter echoing around her.
Her love for travel was both personal and professional. Maxine worked for ten years with Pony Express of Alabama, often accompanied on courier routes across the South by her youngest daughters Nicole and Jarra. Later in life, she joined the National Maritime Union as a Merchant Marine Seaman—a career that took her across continents to Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Morocco, Egypt), South America (Brazil, Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru), India, Asia, and Europe. She returned from each journey with stories and souvenirs to share with loved ones.
Maxine also made it a mission to expose younger generations to the joys of exploration. She organized summer trips for her children and their friends to museums, beaches, amusement parks and cultural landmarks throughout the Southern United States. Whether carefully planned or spontaneously decided on a whim in the Winnebago RV, these adventures created lasting memories for all involved.
Even as her physical health declined in later years, Maxine remained mentally sharp and spiritually vibrant. She became something of a social media favorite among younger family members' friends—delighting in the messages of love and fond memories shared online. Her grace, humor, compassion, and appreciation for beauty never waned.
Maxine was predeceased by her mother Otha Lee Dolly; father D.T. Dolly; brother Billy; cousin Tommy and uncle Willie. She is lovingly remembered by her children—Ruby (Winston Sr), Lorraine (Wilbert Sr), Dinecha(Martin), Nicole, Jarra(Patrick), Joseph, Eric—and bonus son Ronnie(Gladys); her grandchildren -Teel, Trish, Wilbert Jr., Teelana, Winston Jr, Destiny, Erica, Mary, Jasmine (bonus grandson Joseph II), Jennifer, Erin, Peri and Eriel; her great-grandchildren- Ryan, Peyton, Christina, Don, Marcus, Caleb, Paris and Joseph III (J3).; Carl (cousin) and countless friends who were touched by her warmth and wisdom.
In honoring Maxine's legacy of service and love for others, she asked that we continue to be blessings to one another and protect each other always. In her final days she expressed peace with letting go—confident that God had made everything okay.
Maxine T. "CLEOPATRA" Julien lived a life filled with faith and purpose—a life well lived indeed. May her memory continue to inspire all who knew her. A Memorial Service will be held on December 3, 2025, from 02:00 AM to 06:00 PM at Paradise Funeral Home North 10401 W Montgomery Road. Following memorial activities we will have a repass celebration
Maxine was the beloved daughter of D.T. Dolly and Otha Lee Dolly. She spent her formative years in Angleton, where she was raised by her mother and educated in the public school system. From a young age, Maxine demonstrated resilience and independence. In her late teens, she began forging her own path as a young mother, supported by her parents.
Her spiritual journey began early in life when she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at First Missionary Baptist Church in Angleton. She later continued to nurture the faith of her children at Most Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church and Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Mobile, Alabama.
Maxine's life was rooted deeply in family. She was the proud mother of daughters Ruby, Lorraine, Dinecha, Nicole, and Jarra; sons Joseph and Eric; and bonus son Ronnie. Her love extended to her grandchildren—Teel, Trish, Wilbert Jr, Teelana, Winston Jr, Destiny, Erica, Mary, Jasmine, Jennifer, Erin, Peri, Eriel and bonus grand son Joseph II. To her cherished great-grandchildren: Ryan, Peyton, Christina, Don, Marcus, Paris (daughter), Caleb, and Joseph III (J3). She embraced the name "Grannie" with joy and took great pride in being an active presence in their lives—whether through babysitting, cooking for them, attending school events and birthday parties, or hosting Sunday dinners that became treasured family traditions.
Maxine's friendships were another cornerstone of her life. She cultivated lifelong bonds across Texas, Louisiana, and the state of Alabama where she made significant roots with friends who became like family. Among those closest to her were Clayton (MaDear), Alonzo (Lil Bro) and Jennifer McCord; Gwendolyn (Sister), Robin (niece) and Annie Crook; Delores Mitchell (Teen); Lillian Nicholas; Annette Latham; Michelle Anthony; Erica(god daughter) and Mary Jordan (Lil Sis); Debra Stallworth; and Grace McCaskey (Lil Sis). Known for her generosity and loyalty, Maxine was always ready to lend a hand—whether offering a ride to a doctor's appointment or preparing a home-cooked meal just because. Her friendships were anchored in love and mutual support.
A gifted cook with an intuitive palate, Maxine was renowned for her culinary talents. She taught herself to cook by taste alone and delighted in preparing meals that blended American staples with cultural influences from Mexican, Chinese, African, Italian—and especially Soul, Creole, and Cajun—cuisines. Her meals were more than food; they were acts of love. Whether it was a school fundraiser, church event, family picnic or holiday feast, Maxine's kitchen was a place where hearts were nourished as much as stomachs.
Maxine also had an unquenchable zest for fun. She was known for her quick wit and humor able to "jank" or "rank" with the best of them and for her competitive spirit at the card table. A fierce Spades and Bid Whist player well into her later years, she often held court late into the night with laughter echoing around her.
Her love for travel was both personal and professional. Maxine worked for ten years with Pony Express of Alabama, often accompanied on courier routes across the South by her youngest daughters Nicole and Jarra. Later in life, she joined the National Maritime Union as a Merchant Marine Seaman—a career that took her across continents to Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Morocco, Egypt), South America (Brazil, Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru), India, Asia, and Europe. She returned from each journey with stories and souvenirs to share with loved ones.
Maxine also made it a mission to expose younger generations to the joys of exploration. She organized summer trips for her children and their friends to museums, beaches, amusement parks and cultural landmarks throughout the Southern United States. Whether carefully planned or spontaneously decided on a whim in the Winnebago RV, these adventures created lasting memories for all involved.
Even as her physical health declined in later years, Maxine remained mentally sharp and spiritually vibrant. She became something of a social media favorite among younger family members' friends—delighting in the messages of love and fond memories shared online. Her grace, humor, compassion, and appreciation for beauty never waned.
Maxine was predeceased by her mother Otha Lee Dolly; father D.T. Dolly; brother Billy; cousin Tommy and uncle Willie. She is lovingly remembered by her children—Ruby (Winston Sr), Lorraine (Wilbert Sr), Dinecha(Martin), Nicole, Jarra(Patrick), Joseph, Eric—and bonus son Ronnie(Gladys); her grandchildren -Teel, Trish, Wilbert Jr., Teelana, Winston Jr, Destiny, Erica, Mary, Jasmine (bonus grandson Joseph II), Jennifer, Erin, Peri and Eriel; her great-grandchildren- Ryan, Peyton, Christina, Don, Marcus, Caleb, Paris and Joseph III (J3).; Carl (cousin) and countless friends who were touched by her warmth and wisdom.
In honoring Maxine's legacy of service and love for others, she asked that we continue to be blessings to one another and protect each other always. In her final days she expressed peace with letting go—confident that God had made everything okay.
Maxine T. "CLEOPATRA" Julien lived a life filled with faith and purpose—a life well lived indeed. May her memory continue to inspire all who knew her. A Memorial Service will be held on December 3, 2025, from 02:00 AM to 06:00 PM at Paradise Funeral Home North 10401 W Montgomery Road. Following memorial activities we will have a repass celebration
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