Reatha O. Irby's Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Reatha Oleta Irby, age 94 of Charleston, passed away on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 while at her Charleston Rehabilitation and Health Care Center home. Visitation for family and friends will be held Tuesday, April 12, 2016 from Noon until 1:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. Funeral Services honoring and celebrating her life will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral chapel with Pastor Mike Southards officiating. Burial will follow in Mound Cemetery in Charleston. It is requested that thoughtful donations in her honor be made to the Charleston Food Pantry. Gifts may be left during the visitation or service or may be mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920. Reatha was born January 2, 1922 in Humboldt, IL to the late Lawrence and N. Myrtle (Jones) LeGrand. She married Ernest Richard Irby on July 3, 1940 in St. Louis, MO and they celebrated 75 years of marriage prior to his death on November 21, 2015. Left to cherish her memory are two sons, Richard Eugene Irby and wife Lynda of McKinney, TX and Delbert Leroy Irby and wife Karen of Tulsa, OK; six grandchildren, Wendy (Steve) Bokmiller, Beth (Richard) Moore, Becky Irby, Allyson (Chris) Carey, Kent (Andrea) Irby and Roger Irby; 10 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; a sister-in-law, Evelyn Kemp of Mattoon; and many cousins. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded by a brother, Laythan LeGrand. When Reatha was about the age of 5, her family moved to a home located 2 miles east of Charleston. Then in 1940 she moved to Charleston where she has resided her entire life. She was a woman of faith and a life-long member of First Christian Church in Charleston. During the 1960's, 70's and 80's, she was an active china painter, creating many lovely pieces which her family now enjoys and cherishes. She and Richard were also active in the Coles County Genealogical Society and loved researching family history. She was an avid gardener and her garden produce was immensely enjoyed by family, friends and neighbors. Reatha's main goal in life was to be a good wife and mother - a goal which she accomplished admirably. SERVICES Visitation Tuesday, April 12, 2016 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Adams Funeral Chapel 2330 SHAWNEE DR CHARLESTON, Illinois 61920 Funeral Service Tuesday, April 12, 2016 1:00 PM Adams Funeral Chapel 2330 SHAWNEE DR CHARLESTON, Illinois 61920
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