A Starkville native who now resides in Sturgis, Melvin Mordecai, 59, spends his time brightening the last days of residents of Lowndes, Oktibbeha, Clay, Noxubee, Neshoba, Winston, Choctaw and Attala counties.

As a chaplain for Unity Hospice Care, he visits patients in personal care homes, nursing homes and privately owned homes, bringing a smile to their faces and a song to their hearts.

Having previously served as pastor for churches in Mississippi and Alabama, he began his work with Unity three years ago and found his “calling in life.”

What do you find most rewarding about your job?

The smiles, the physical and emotional attachments to the elderly. I come in contact with people”s last days of their lives. These days are special; they”re priceless. It”s hard to say, in words, my feelings. It”s a ministry where I”m more rewarded than most of my patients are. It”s not a sad mission. It”s the most rewarding work I”ve ever been involved in. My days actually involve dealing with the concerns and things that my patients want to talk about. And I love using music therapy as a tool to bring happiness and joy in their little hearts.

I gather patients and residents of each home around the piano and I play and sing for them. Especially my patients that have dementia, even though they may not be able to communicate and talk, they can sing the lyrics to (a hymn). It proves to me a person may lose their liberty, their independence, many of the (things) we take for granted as well people. But they never lose that faith of the word of God that they put in their hearts.

What are some of the most requested songs?

Motown music. They love Motown music! Any 1950s, 1960s music, they love that. My most requested song is “Mustang Sally.” It”s unbelievable; I think it”s the beat. “Mustang Sally,” “Unchained Melody,” “My Girl,” and “Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch.” They go crazy over those songs. And they dance. They get up and dance and it”s just a hoot! Through music, I”ve been able to develop relationships with all the patients in our facilities.

How has working with the dying changed your life?

Hospice care is care of comfort and compassion. Many times, just my presence is all I have for some of my patients.

I pastored for 34 years. But I have to be honest, I never really did ministry until now. Hospice care has given me an opportunity to do ministry that has far exceeded my understanding of ministry. Hospice work has brought humility to my life. It”s brought me closer to the reality we don”t live forever and it has built my faith, so I know that there”s more to life than just this life.

What do you find most challenging about hospice care?

Dying people do not have time for us not to have time for them. That”s the most challenging, time. There are days that so much comes to our plates. All of us face so much everyday and time is something we all wish we had more of in our day.

Do you have any advice for those with loved ones in hospice care?

Continue to be very involved with your loved ones. Always communicate your concerns with the hospice team. Lines of communication are so very important and always feel free to contact us with your concerns and desires. I feel that families are very valuable in the overall care and well-being of their loved ones.