Allen Maxey concluded his 25-year career with North Mississippi Health Services as director for materials management and accounts payable at NMMC-Pontotoc.

PONTOTOC, Mississippi - For more than 20 years, Allen Maxey has been connecting staff, patients and families with food and supplies at North Mississippi Medical Center-Pontotoc.

Maxey spent most of his 25-year career in the Food and Nutrition Services before taking his current position as director for materials management and accounts payable in 2015. He recently retired and his colleagues honored him with a reception.

“Allen was a strong supporter of NMMC-Pontotoc programs and activities and contributed to Pontotoc’s success,” said Leslia Carter, NMMC-Pontotoc administrator. “He served the long-term care residents for many years and showed genuine love and compassion to them and their families.”

Maxey started his career at North Mississippi Medical Center-Tupelo as a Food & Nutrition/Procurement Manager in 1996. He took on a similar position at NMMC-Pontotoc, which provides both acute and long-term care, in 1998 to be closer to home.

“I knew early in life that I was supposed to work with senior adults,” Maxey said. “Then NMMC-Pontotoc administer Fred Hood took a chance on me and brought me over to Pontotoc to work in Food Service.”

He was promoted to director of the Food and Nutrition Services in 2002 after successfully completing the Certified Dietary Manager (CDM, CFPP) accreditation process. Maxey spent the greater part of his employment years in the food services department.

When North Mississippi Health Services shifted management of food service to Morrison Healthcare, Maxey found another way to keep serving the patients at NMMC-Pontotoc.

“The day Morrison’s took over was the first day of retirement for James Galloway, the director of materials management and accounts payable,” Maxey said. “I moved into his position as director of materials management and accounts payable to finish out my career.”

Maxey was known for his care and compassion for NMMC-Pontotoc Nursing Home residents and employees.

“We will miss his humor and wit that he shares with everyone,” said Marie Barnes, NMMC-Pontotoc Human Resources director. “Allen made others smile while making his daily rounds.”

Maxey said he hopes he is remembered by his many friends throughout NMHS as an encourager. He will miss the daily contact with a health care team that truly cares for people.

“Each of us that work for NMHS have been given a gift. That gift is caring for people in our community at a low time in their life,” Maxey said. “When we share that gift, we are sharing God’s love with others.”

Maxey and wife, Nancy Jo, have two children Jeremy Maxey and Rachel Chaisson, and grandchildren, Keira and Kinsley Maxey and Olivia and Evan Chaisson. He is a member of West Heights Baptist Church in Pontotoc. His family, including sister, Pam Dotson, and members of his church family were able to join the NMHS team to celebrate his retirement.

Maxey plans to spend his retirement years catching up on needed work on family land, driving for chartered bus services and giving more of his time to church mission projects that he really enjoys.