BIRMINGHAM Mae Calhoun DeBardelaben, age 73, passed away November 6, 2012, 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 B.S. in Education and a Master 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., and 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 preceded in death 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 2 p.m. Friday, November 9, 2012, at St. Stephens Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the St. Stephens Memorial Fund. Published in Tuscaloosa News on November 8, 2012