Rachel Baldwin
Staff Writer
WILLIAMSON - Tuesday evening at approximately 6:30 p.m., one of Williamson’s most loved, respected and admired residents experienced a sudden illness, and was rushed to the Emergency Room of the Williamson Memorial Hospital (WMH) within minutes of leaving a meeting of the Action in Mingo Group (AIM), of which she serves as the President.
Mae Stallard, a retired educator, civic leader, Sunday school teacher, and community volunteer is currently a patient in the Intensive Care Unit in the University Of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, Ky., where she remains on life support. A definite diagnosis is still pending, as numerous physicians strive to figure out exactly what measures need to be performed to bring her out of this sudden illness that has left her in such serious condition.
Within a few brief moments of leaving the Williamson Fire Department where the AIM meeting was held, Mae became unconscious and unresponsive while being driven home by her longtime friend, Jada Hunter. She was rushed to WMH where her condition worsened, and was then transported to the UK Medical Center to receive specialized treatment.
According to family members, Mae suffered a perforated airway and a collapsed lung while at WMH during the process of attempts to intubate her, which complicated her condition. Since being at UK, the medical staff has tried to wean her off of the ventilator (life support) but she had difficulty breathing and it was necessary to reinstate the breathing tube. The physicians are still scrambling to provide a definite diagnosis, and remain unclear of the exact path to take to assist in her recovery process.
Nancy Richards, Mae’s daughter who retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Lt. Colonel, has spoken with the Daily News on numerous occasions, and voiced her thankfulness for the many prayers and get well wishes that have been offered for her mother.
“Mom truly loves Williamson and all of the people of the Tug Valley area,” stated Richards. “She has spent countless years dedicating her time and efforts to helping the City grow and prosper. She has dedicated 40 years to the AIM Group, and has taken such pride in seeing the King Coal Festival continue to be a success. Mom puts her heart and soul into every project she commits to, never giving anything less than her all.”
Those who have ever came in contact with Mae knows all too well that she always has a smile on her face, sweet words of comfort and love to share, and was the first to ask you what could she do to help you. Most importantly, according to her many friends, was Mae’s willingness to pray for her family, friends and community, always asking God’s blessings on each and every one.
Kathryn Dillon, who has been friends with Mae for many years, spoke of the kindness and thoughtful nature her dear friend always extended her and her late husband, the Rev. Fred Dillon.
“She genuinely loved Fred, and he loved her. They were so much alike in their actions and mannerisms and they truly shared a kindred spirit,” stated Kathryn. “She has been such a dear friend to me through the years. She remains a constant source of inspiration, always keeping me in her prayers. I pray with all my heart that she makes a full recovery from the illness and is blessed to be able to return to what she loves, and that is helping her community. She’s the best woman that I know. They broke the mold when they made Mae.”
If you would like to mail your get well wishes to Mae and her family, the address for her at the hospital is: A.B. Chandler Medical Center, University of Kentucky; Mae Stallard, 2 nd Floor Med/ICU, Lexington, Ky. 40536-0293.
“Please continue to pray for mom’s recovery,” said Richards. “She’s in God’s hands, and we’re praying for her healing.”
Updates on Mae’s condition will be available in a future publication of the Williamson Daily News.
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