Julie Nanette Debardelaben

Julie Nanette Mathews DeBardelaben was born April 13, 1951 in Bristol, Virginia. She was a middle child, the third girl of four children born to Guy Howard and Janis Effie Mathews. A preemie, Julie spent much of her formative years fighting off the various viruses her big sisters, Cherie Lynn and Janis Ellen, brought home from school. Her best friend became her little brother, Guy Ernest Mathews, a year younger almost to the day. Perhaps it was all those homegrown vegetables her grandparents, Julia Etta (Julie's namesake) and Ernest Elmer Sellers, cooked up from their garden in Dora, Alabama or maybe it was just genes. But Julie soon blossomed into a tall, skinny little girl. When barely 5 she was taller than the first graders. So, her mom put her in school at 5 and her schooling journey began. With a short bob haircut and snaggletooth, off she went, frightened of a world outside of home she barely knew. Early on a love of literature emerged, which led her to concentrate her studies at the University of Alabama in English. She earned a bachelor's and master's degree and teaching credentials there, following a long line of teachers and educators on her mother's side of the family. After graduation she taught school, primarily 12th grade English, for five years. Teaching writing inspired her desire to earn her own byline. So, she left the teaching profession and became a freelance writer and editor. She quickly built a portfolio, which helped her secure a position at the Montgomery Advertiser as a features writer. She gained notoriety as a writer and with University of Alabama football players when her feature story on Mary Harmon Bryant, wife of Paul Bear Bryant, was picked up by the AP wire. It was the year Bryant was set to achieve a national record of 315 wins and Mrs. Bryant rarely granted interviews. With this solid foundation in writing, Julie launched her career in public relations. She worked primarily in higher education PR, holding positions at the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education, Alabama State University, and Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters. She was named the 2001 Philip R. Forrest Jr. State Practitioner of the Year by the Public Relations Council of Alabama and was the recipient of more than 75 prestigious awards for writing, various publications creation and design, and marketing and PR campaigns. Julie credits any success she had in life to her mother and grandmother, both college educated, strong independent women who ingrained in her the need to get a college education, not an Mrs. degree, so she could always stand on her own two feet. A college physical education minor, Julie enjoyed competitive tennis, biking and running. Her grandparent's influence led her to become a master gardener. And though she graduated from Alabama, her love of the university was homegrown from the start. One of her fondest memories was of her dad cooking up boiled peanuts on Saturday mornings, a ritual prior to the Bama game, available back then on radio only. But her greatest joy and accomplishment in life was the privilege of raising two sons, who gave her unconditional love and support and earning the title of “Jana” this past year, with the arrival of two precious granddaughters. Julie is survived by her beloved husband, Joseph Michael Rary of the home; sons James Matthew DeBardelaben (wife Kiley and daughter Anndee Iris) of Gulf Shores, AL; Zachary Thomas DeBardelaben (wife Elizabeth and daughter Lorelai Evie) of Smyrna, GA. Bonus daughter Elizabeth Ann Rary of Atlanta and many awesome nieces and nephews; and cherished friends. Heartfelt recognition of family and friends for unconditional love and support include brother Guy Mathews, nephew George Shannon Manire, niece Erin Olivia Mathews Mann, and BFFs Donna Insel Dewaine England, Irene Marie Tyner, and Jean Carlton Forbus. Cremation had taken place and per Julie’s wishes her ashes will dance with the waves in the Gulf of Mexico during a private celebration of life. The family requests that anyone desiring to make memorial remembrances to consider making a donation in Julies name to MD Anderson Cancer Center. Faith Chapel Funeral Home South, 100 Beverly Parkway, Pensacola, Florida, is entrusted with arrangements. You may express your condolences online at www.fcfhs.com.

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Julie Nanette Debardelaben

April 13, 1951 - July 17, 2024