DEBARDELABEN, MAE CALHOUN Age 73, passed away November 6 after a prolonged illness. Born in Piney Woods, Alabama just outside of Northport, Mae was the youngest of five sisters and one brother. She attended Tuscaloosa County High School before moving on to the University of Alabama, where she graduated with a BS in Education and a Masters of Science in Home Economics. She worked as a teacher in various school systems and later was named Assistant Dean of the School of Home Economics at the University of Alabama. She and her family later moved to Birmingham where she was Director of Development at UAB before retiring in 1995. A devoted wife and mother of three, she is survived by her husband, W.D. 'Dil' DeBardelaben, Jr., her three children Lisa Benfield, Warren DeBardelaben and David DeBardelaben. She also leaves behind five grandchildren: Tyler Benfield, Chris Benfield, Ren DeBardelaben, Ryan DeBardelaben and Lauren DeBardelaben. She was predeceased by her brother Jim Calhoun and is survived by her sisters Dorothy Farmer, Betty Pate, Beatrice Watson and Shandry Dorroh. Mae was a person of strong character and faith. Fun loving and incredibly bright, she rarely lost a game of cards or Scrabble. She inspired everyone she met to succeed, but still laughed at the inevitable setbacks. A memorial service will be held at St. Stephens Episcopal Church at 2:00 pm November 9. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations be made to the St. Stephens Memorial Fund. Published in The Birmingham News from November 7 to November 9, 2012