Maxey Gilleland of Ashland City, TN, died March 25, 2024, at The Residence at Alive Hospice in Nashville. He was 77.
He was born in Abbeville, SC, to Roy J. Gilleland, Jr., and Evelyn Maxwell Gilleland. They moved to Nashville when he was ten. He attended Belmont College, leaving in 1966 to join the Marine Corps. He did two tours in Vietnam, earned the rank of sergeant, and was awarded the Navy Cross, Bronze Star, four Purple Hearts, and multiple honors for his outstanding bravery and performance.
Upon his return, he finished his education and was hired by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation as an undercover narcotics agent, where he would remain for the next twenty-five years. His stories were the stuff of legends. He loved every minute.
In 1999, he was shot twice in the head during a drug deal. Miraculously, he recovered and returned to work. After retiring, he discovered he had a passion and a talent for gardening.
Even as his health declined over the years, he never tired of being outdoors, planting, tending, digging in the dirt.
Maxey was courageous, stubborn, generous to a fault, and loving and loyal to family and friends. His parents and two nephews, Steven and Trent Gilleland, preceded him in death.
Evelyn Stewart, his wife of forty-six years, and his brother, Roy Gilleland lll (Carlene), remain
to cherish his memory.
The family will have a private graveside service at Woodlawn Funeral Home. A gathering of friends and family will be held on Saturday, April 13, from 4pm to 8pm at the Hampton Inn at Pleasant View.
