Fannie Mae Depew

Fannie Mae (Burton) Depew, best known as Mae, was born in Sylacauga, AL, on May 14, 1935. (We always chuckled that, at one point, she was married to Eugene May, which meant she became Mae May, born in May!) Mae’s father passed away when she was 4, so she and her five siblings (James, Donald, Dewey, Chris, and Walter) were raised through the Depression era by her very strong single mother, Axie (Baker) Burton. Mae was predeceased by her parents and all of her siblings, but is survived by several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Her love for her family was palpable. Mae lost her dear son, Randy (Durham) May, in 1977, but is survived by and greatly loved by her daughter, Jo (May) Lewis (her husband, Dane), and two grandsons, Daniel (his wife, Dana) and Matthew (his wife, Rachel). Mae was an amazing grandmother to Randy’s daughter, Beth Bedwell (her husband, Kevin), a devoted great grandmother to Rebecca, Elizabeth, Daniel and Kayden and a great-great grandmother to their children. In addition, she was steadfast and loving to her Depew daughters, Brenda, Beverly and Debbie, a grandmother to their children, Laura, Lacie, Marcus, and Kimberly, and great grandmother to their children, Trent, Tristen, Gabby, Victor, and Lucas. What a beautiful legacy of love.

Mae was truly a survivor who overcame many obstacles in her life (including colon cancer in 1992 and two bouts of lung cancer in 2021 and again in 2023); however, she refused to be limited by her circumstances. She was a teacher for over 42 years and cared specially for students with learning challenges, at one point starting a small school for these students. And we’ll never forget her deep affection (some might say “obsession”) for her beloved Alabama college football team (“Roll Tide”)! Most importantly, her love for the Lord shone through in everything she did—she taught countless Bible studies and small groups, hosted missionaries in her home, participated in a mission trip to Romania in her late 70s, had a vibrant singing ministry, served as a fierce prayer warrior and a faithful friend/mentor to many who even called her “mom” and “grandma.”

A memorial service will be held on January 26, 2025, 7:00 pm, at River’s Edge Community Church, 2414 Westchester Ave., Oella, MD. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to one of the following:

Mae’s MD church home:

River’s Edge Community Church

2414 Westchester Ave., Suite 3

Oella, MD 21043

Mae’s AL church home:

Estelle Community Church

Ladies Fund

366 Coosa County Road 35

Weogufka, AL 35183

Mae’s assisted living home that provided loving care:

Little Sisters of the Poor Development Office

601 Maiden Choice Lane

Catonsville, MD 21228