Services for Myrtle "Bernice" Irby will be 2:00p.m., Wed. Jan.25, 2012 at her church, New Life Baptist; burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, under the direction of Rice Funeral Service. Friends may visit at the funeral home on Tues. Jan. 24 from 1—8, with family receiving visitors from 6—8. Bernice passed away on Sat. Jan. 21, 2012. She was 88.
Born in Rogers County on Nov. 9, 1932 to Charles Brady and Tema (Evans) Bacon, Bernice was reared and educated in the Verdigris community. Following her graduation, with the class of 1943, Bernice continued her education by attending Northeastern Teachers College.
On May 11, 1946, Bernice married Herbert Irby and the couple made their home in Stillwater, OK. With a teaching certificate, Bernice taught school and finished her Bachelors degree at Oklahoma A&M, now OSU, because Herbert was attending school there on the G.I. Bill. The young couple moved to Talala, OK for a time before returning to Verdigris and this has been home since.
Bernice's life was dedicated first to family and then the many students she taught. She spent most of her career teaching 1st graders and 34 years was spent in Catoosa. Her nurturing and caring nature was evident not only in the classroom, but was extended to many Sunday school children as well. Her retirement in 1985 was made a memorable day with the mayor of Catoosa declaring it Mrs. Irby Day.
Bernice retired in May and was diagnosed in Aug. with breast cancer. With faith and determination she overcame this challenge. In no way limited, Bernice took this opportunity to spend more time with her beloved grandchildren. They remember the walks in the back pastures picking blackberries and throwing rocks in the pond. Bernice made learning fun and took every occasion to teach her grandchildren many lessons. Her tremendous skills at organization made it possible to keep meticulous records ranging from the building of their home to the history of her hometown. She wrote journals about Verdigris, Catoosa and WWII. The family genealogist and scrapbooker, Bernice created numerous binders full of the memories she collected throughout her life, preserving the significance of tradition and history. Bernice and Herbert enjoyed traveling and her favorite destinations were Yellowstone and Branson.
A thoughtful, giving and loving woman, Bernice leaves her family and friends with many treasured memories. Those family members who survive include her husband Herbert of their home in Verdigris; her sons Robert Guy Irby and wife Marilyn of Guthrie, OK and Steven Brady Irby and wife Lori also of Verdigris; her grandchildren Brady Irby and wife Melissa of Verdigris, Matthew Irby and wife Jerĩ of Seminole, OK, Michael Irby and wife Emily, of Verdigris, Joshua Irby, of Verdigris and Rachel Evans of Guthrie; her great grandsons Noah and Jonah Irby of Verdigris and many nieces and nephews. Bernice was preceded in death by her parents and twin brother Charles E. "Buck" Bacon.
Those who wish to honor Bernice's memory with a memorial contribution may do so by donating to the New Life Baptist Church Building Fund or Mission Fund, 24525 S. 4140 Rd., Claremore, OK 74019.
Born in Rogers County on Nov. 9, 1932 to Charles Brady and Tema (Evans) Bacon, Bernice was reared and educated in the Verdigris community. Following her graduation, with the class of 1943, Bernice continued her education by attending Northeastern Teachers College.
On May 11, 1946, Bernice married Herbert Irby and the couple made their home in Stillwater, OK. With a teaching certificate, Bernice taught school and finished her Bachelors degree at Oklahoma A&M, now OSU, because Herbert was attending school there on the G.I. Bill. The young couple moved to Talala, OK for a time before returning to Verdigris and this has been home since.
Bernice's life was dedicated first to family and then the many students she taught. She spent most of her career teaching 1st graders and 34 years was spent in Catoosa. Her nurturing and caring nature was evident not only in the classroom, but was extended to many Sunday school children as well. Her retirement in 1985 was made a memorable day with the mayor of Catoosa declaring it Mrs. Irby Day.
Bernice retired in May and was diagnosed in Aug. with breast cancer. With faith and determination she overcame this challenge. In no way limited, Bernice took this opportunity to spend more time with her beloved grandchildren. They remember the walks in the back pastures picking blackberries and throwing rocks in the pond. Bernice made learning fun and took every occasion to teach her grandchildren many lessons. Her tremendous skills at organization made it possible to keep meticulous records ranging from the building of their home to the history of her hometown. She wrote journals about Verdigris, Catoosa and WWII. The family genealogist and scrapbooker, Bernice created numerous binders full of the memories she collected throughout her life, preserving the significance of tradition and history. Bernice and Herbert enjoyed traveling and her favorite destinations were Yellowstone and Branson.
A thoughtful, giving and loving woman, Bernice leaves her family and friends with many treasured memories. Those family members who survive include her husband Herbert of their home in Verdigris; her sons Robert Guy Irby and wife Marilyn of Guthrie, OK and Steven Brady Irby and wife Lori also of Verdigris; her grandchildren Brady Irby and wife Melissa of Verdigris, Matthew Irby and wife Jerĩ of Seminole, OK, Michael Irby and wife Emily, of Verdigris, Joshua Irby, of Verdigris and Rachel Evans of Guthrie; her great grandsons Noah and Jonah Irby of Verdigris and many nieces and nephews. Bernice was preceded in death by her parents and twin brother Charles E. "Buck" Bacon.
Those who wish to honor Bernice's memory with a memorial contribution may do so by donating to the New Life Baptist Church Building Fund or Mission Fund, 24525 S. 4140 Rd., Claremore, OK 74019.
Services for Myrtle "Bernice" Irby will be 2:00p.m., Wed. Jan.25, 2012 at her church, New Life Baptist; burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, under the direction of Rice Funeral Service. Friends may visit at the funeral home on Tues. Jan. 24 from 1—8, with family receiving visitors from 6—8. Bernice passed away on Sat. Jan. 21, 2012. She was 88.
Born in Rogers County on Nov. 9, 1932 to Charles Brady and Tema (Evans) Bacon, Bernice was reared and educated in the Verdigris community. Following her graduation, with the class of 1943, Bernice continued her education by attending Northeastern Teachers College.
On May 11, 1946, Bernice married Herbert Irby and the couple made their home in Stillwater, OK. With a teaching certificate, Bernice taught school and finished her Bachelors degree at Oklahoma A&M, now OSU, because Herbert was attending school there on the G.I. Bill. The young couple moved to Talala, OK for a time before returning to Verdigris and this has been home since.
Bernice's life was dedicated first to family and then the many students she taught. She spent most of her career teaching 1st graders and 34 years was spent in Catoosa. Her nurturing and caring nature was evident not only in the classroom, but was extended to many Sunday school children as well. Her retirement in 1985 was made a memorable day with the mayor of Catoosa declaring it Mrs. Irby Day.
Bernice retired in May and was diagnosed in Aug. with breast cancer. With faith and determination she overcame this challenge. In no way limited, Bernice took this opportunity to spend more time with her beloved grandchildren. They remember the walks in the back pastures picking blackberries and throwing rocks in the pond. Bernice made learning fun and took every occasion to teach her grandchildren many lessons. Her tremendous skills at organization made it possible to keep meticulous records ranging from the building of their home to the history of her hometown. She wrote journals about Verdigris, Catoosa and WWII. The family genealogist and scrapbooker, Bernice created numerous binders full of the memories she collected throughout her life, preserving the significance of tradition and history. Bernice and Herbert enjoyed traveling and her favorite destinations were Yellowstone and Branson.
A thoughtful, giving and loving woman, Bernice leaves her family and friends with many treasured memories. Those family members who survive include her husband Herbert of their home in Verdigris; her sons Robert Guy Irby and wife Marilyn of Guthrie, OK and Steven Brady Irby and wife Lori also of Verdigris; her grandchildren Brady Irby and wife Melissa of Verdigris, Matthew Irby and wife Jerĩ of Seminole, OK, Michael Irby and wife Emily, of Verdigris, Joshua Irby, of Verdigris and Rachel Evans of Guthrie; her great grandsons Noah and Jonah Irby of Verdigris and many nieces and nephews. Bernice was preceded in death by her parents and twin brother Charles E. "Buck" Bacon.
Those who wish to honor Bernice's memory with a memorial contribution may do so by donating to the New Life Baptist Church Building Fund or Mission Fund, 24525 S. 4140 Rd., Claremore, OK 74019.
Born in Rogers County on Nov. 9, 1932 to Charles Brady and Tema (Evans) Bacon, Bernice was reared and educated in the Verdigris community. Following her graduation, with the class of 1943, Bernice continued her education by attending Northeastern Teachers College.
On May 11, 1946, Bernice married Herbert Irby and the couple made their home in Stillwater, OK. With a teaching certificate, Bernice taught school and finished her Bachelors degree at Oklahoma A&M, now OSU, because Herbert was attending school there on the G.I. Bill. The young couple moved to Talala, OK for a time before returning to Verdigris and this has been home since.
Bernice's life was dedicated first to family and then the many students she taught. She spent most of her career teaching 1st graders and 34 years was spent in Catoosa. Her nurturing and caring nature was evident not only in the classroom, but was extended to many Sunday school children as well. Her retirement in 1985 was made a memorable day with the mayor of Catoosa declaring it Mrs. Irby Day.
Bernice retired in May and was diagnosed in Aug. with breast cancer. With faith and determination she overcame this challenge. In no way limited, Bernice took this opportunity to spend more time with her beloved grandchildren. They remember the walks in the back pastures picking blackberries and throwing rocks in the pond. Bernice made learning fun and took every occasion to teach her grandchildren many lessons. Her tremendous skills at organization made it possible to keep meticulous records ranging from the building of their home to the history of her hometown. She wrote journals about Verdigris, Catoosa and WWII. The family genealogist and scrapbooker, Bernice created numerous binders full of the memories she collected throughout her life, preserving the significance of tradition and history. Bernice and Herbert enjoyed traveling and her favorite destinations were Yellowstone and Branson.
A thoughtful, giving and loving woman, Bernice leaves her family and friends with many treasured memories. Those family members who survive include her husband Herbert of their home in Verdigris; her sons Robert Guy Irby and wife Marilyn of Guthrie, OK and Steven Brady Irby and wife Lori also of Verdigris; her grandchildren Brady Irby and wife Melissa of Verdigris, Matthew Irby and wife Jerĩ of Seminole, OK, Michael Irby and wife Emily, of Verdigris, Joshua Irby, of Verdigris and Rachel Evans of Guthrie; her great grandsons Noah and Jonah Irby of Verdigris and many nieces and nephews. Bernice was preceded in death by her parents and twin brother Charles E. "Buck" Bacon.
Those who wish to honor Bernice's memory with a memorial contribution may do so by donating to the New Life Baptist Church Building Fund or Mission Fund, 24525 S. 4140 Rd., Claremore, OK 74019.
Inscription
Married May 11, 1946
Family Members
Siblings
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
