Mae Belle McLendon

Mae Belle McLendon was born on August 6, 1950, in Red Springs, North Carolina, to the late Amos McLendon and Martha Galbreath McLendon. At an early age, Mae and her mother moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in 1964, where they were reunited with her two sisters, Hattie Miles and Helen Galbreath.

Mae was educated in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, where she attended Chapel Hill High from which she proudly graduated. She played basketball at Chapel Hill High School — which was on Franklin Street — her team had to play under "girls rules," much to her chagrin.

She continued her pursuit of higher education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a double Tar Heel, where she earned a degree in sociology and a Master's in Social Work.

From a young age, Mae displayed a remarkable passion for helping others and serving her community—a quality that shaped her life and touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.

Mae worked at the NC Department of Corrections for 25 years as the Volunteer Coordinator - visiting every prison in NC once a year. She ran the North Carolina Correctional Association for numerous years. After retiring, Mae worked at the Inter-Faith Council for Social Services, ChapelHill-Carrboro City Schools, Habitat for Humanity, NC Cooperative Extension, Town of Carrboro Parks & Recreation and the Marion Cheek Jackson Center for Saving and Making History.

A prolific volunteer, she mentored in local prisons, led local CROP Hunger Walks, and volunteered at the IFC, on the Carrboro Truth Plaque Committee, Good Neighbor Initiative, the Lions Club, the Orange County Affordable Housing Advisory Board, Northside Conservation, Public School Foundation and served on the Chapel Hill Planning Board for 12 years. Mae joined St. Paul AME Church at the age of 16. Served in roles as a Financial Officer, Steward, and Usher.

She has been honored with the Pauli Murray Award, featured in Durham Magazine's Women of Achievement, and recognized twice locally with lifetime achievement awards.

In 2021, she was one of three women featured in an outdoor art installation at the Chapel Hill Public Library - her portrait projected onto the canopy of a tree for hours after sundown, paying homage to her work on women's suffrage.

Mae started a weekly E News 16 years ago that was sent out every Sunday. This publication was dedicated to inform the community about upcoming events.

Her last community hoorah was receiving the Duke Energy Community Service Award that was presented to her daughter in March. This award recognizes people who make a positive difference in the lives of others through service. This award is a tribute to those individuals who use their time, talent, and compassion to make a positive difference in the community.

Mae passed away peacefully and remembered with love by her daughter Anissa (Niecy) McLendon of Carrboro, NC and her sister Helen Galbreath of Chapel Hill, NC. Her niece Karen Miles and her son Brandon Miles both of Chapel Hill, NC. Nephews James Galbreath (his wife Phyllis Galbreath) of Matthews, NC, George Galbreath (his wife Lori Galbreath) of Greensboro, NC and Jerome Galbreath of Chapel Hill, NC.