Deborah Elaine Stephens

Elaine was born in Louisville, Kentucky and transferred to Birmingham in 1979 with South Central Bell Telephone Company. She earned a BA from The University of Louisville and a MAc from The University of Alabama at Birmingham. She was a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Management Accountant. After retiring from Bellsouth, she served as Controller and Chief Financial Officer of three local companies, managed the Birmingham office of a CPA firm, and then spent several years as an accounting consultant.

After she fully retired, she was a volunteer member of the Community Advisory Board of the HIV Vaccine Trial Network at UAB. She served as a member of the LGBTQ Grant Committee of the Greater Birmingham Foundation. She was a charter member and Treasurer of PFLAG-Montevallo, an advocacy/support organization for family members of the LGBTQ community. In addition. she was a member of the steering committee of the Montevallo Acceptance Project, an advocacy organization that was successful in getting a non-discrimination ordinance passed by the Montevallo City Council. She served as a guest lecturer in a Human Sexuality class at Auburn University - Montgomery and frequently participated in continuing education conferences for therapists, counselors and social workers, where she discussed transgender issues. She was involved in a program at UAB Medical School helping students understand transgender health issues. She served on the Jefferson County Children's Policy Council and as treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Children's Policy Cooperative. She also served as Treasurer of Shelby Emergency Assistance.

Elaine was an active and beloved member at the Baptist Church of the Covenant in Birmingham. There, she served on the staff committee and helped in various fiscal advisory matters.

Elaine is greatly missed by innumerable friends who deeply mourn her passing. There will be a memorial service to honor Elaine’s remarkable life at The Baptist Church of the Covenant on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., with a reception to follow.