Catherine Annette Maxey
On August 5, 2015 Annette Maxey, age 76, passed away in her home after a brief battle with lung cancer. Annette was a truly remarkable woman. At only age twelve she exclaimed to her parents that she wanted to not only be a social worker but also planned to achieve a very high level within the field. Earning her MSW from the University of Chicago in the 1960s, Annette began her professional journey where she didn’t necessarily break the glass ceiling but she certainly put a few cracks in it. Highlights of her professional life included: starting the first state sponsored community mental health center in Georgia; being appointed as the first female, non-medical director of a Georgia state psychiatric hospital; serving as the Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers; being appointed by Governor Joe Frank Harris as the Director of State Health Planning; serving as Director of MH/MR/SA for both Dekalb and Cobb counties.
Despite her very demanding and successful career, family remained the primary focus in her life. Annette ensured that time spent was of a high quality, always taking the time to share in her son Greg’s life events, as well as taking time for regular family vacations frequently to beaches in Florida. With her husband of 55 years, Jim, Annette took French cooking lessons and frequently entertained friends and family with gourmet foods, lots of laughs, and great memories. Annette and Jim also enjoyed regular bridge games with close friends.
Later in life, her greatest joy came from the time spent with her three grandchildren, Tyler, Michael, and Davis. Annually, Annette and Jim took their grandsons on several trips throughout the U.S. and abroad.
Annette is survived by her husband, son, daughter in-law Denise, three grandsons, her two brothers, Jim Tucker and Gwynn Tucker, and their families as well as a multitude of very close friends.
There will be a private family service, followed by a memorial reception August 15th for anyone who wishes to visit. This reception will be held at the Lenbrook in Brookhaven from 2 to 4PM, located at 3747 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30319. In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the Atlanta Food Bank in Annette’s memory. 404.892.FEED 3333 x1222; http://www.acfb.org/more-ways-give.
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