Davis Retirement...

Mae has a made a lot of friends throughout her years of service here. One such friend is Eranell McIntosh-Wilson (on left in photo), Special Advisor to the Commissioner in Alabama. "I have known Mae Davis for more than 20 years," Eranell recently said. "[S]he has always loved her job with the Association [and] always greets you with a warm smile. It is hard for me to imagine Mae not being front and center at the Association meetings and in the office. However, I am sure that she will now have the time to devote all that same love and attention to her family."

Mae revealed her risk management skills after an Association meeting in San Diego years ago when she joined a small group of women directors who decided to go to Mexico for lunch. Mae recommended that the eight pair off, like in grade school, and told them never to leave their partner. It actually worked. No director was lost and none made the front page of the Capitol News!

"Mae is a rare treasure," said NASDDDS Executive Director Nancy Thaler. "She exemplifies attributes that are inspiring to us: honesty and trust-worthiness, respect for everyone she meets and works with, kindness, a sense of dignity, dedication and hard work, loyalty and the ability to hold confidence, and strong faith. We admire Mae for these qualities and all that she has given in service to the Association. And we mustn't forget style! Anyone who has seen Mae in her leopard skin pill box hat knows what I mean."

Karen Hopkins, Mae's daughter, shares with us another side of her mother that we don't see - such as her being a dedicated member of her church, singing in the church gospel choir, and serving as a member of her church's Health and Healing ministry.

"On many occasions she visits, feeds, sings, and reads to senior citizens at area nursing homes. She also participates in the Adopt-a-Family program during the Thanksgiving/Christmas season where she sponsors (provides clothing, food, and toys) families so that they can have a memorable holiday.

If you ask her what her is her greatest past-time and joy, I would have to say spending time with her family and particularly her grandson Slade. She lights up when he yells "Nana, Nana!" She makes a point to visit with him as often as she can. And like most grandmothers, she spoils him to no end.

As far as what she has planned for retirement, she's just taking it one day at a time. In the next upcoming months, she has some travel plans to include Tennessee; Florida; Hampton, Virginia; and that's just for starters. She's entertaining a cruise to Australia which she doesn't need much convincing from her travel buddies!"

And now we tip out hats to Mae Davis as we say "thank you" and wish her the very best in her retirement. Mae will be attending out midyear meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, so be sure to greet her there.

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