Irene Akridge

Graveside services will be at 12:30 p.m. Friday, June 20, 2014 at Hughes-Moragne Cemetery for Irene Davis Akridge, 98, of Gadsden, who died peacefully at home on Tuesday, June 17, 2014. Dr. James Sampley will officiate. Collier-Butler Funeral and Cremation Services is directing.

Irene was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She served as an example to all who knew her as a true Christian who lived the kind of life to which we all aspire. She was devoted to her church, James Memorial Baptist Church, and served it in many capacities: Youth Sunday School Director, Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School Teacher, and member of WMU. Some of her fondest memories were of the children and adults she met through the church and of her travels with her husband and friends on the many trips taken by the senior adults. Irene was the oldest member of James Memorial.

As well as her church work, Irene was an avid reader. When she became homebound she treasured her reading even more. She possessed a keen intellect and continued to educate herself on a variety of topics until her death. She considered the love of learning one of the most important gifts that she passed along to her children. Irene also loved to travel and see new places to learn of their history and culture.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Byford Kline Akridge; parents, Benjamin Harrison Davis and Annie Adele McCarver Davis; brother, James Frank Davis; sister, Peggy Jean Wells; and grandson, Andrew Akridge.

She is survived by her children, David Kline (Kathy) Akridge of Munford, AL, and Cecelia Akridge (Mike) Lasseter of Gadsden; grandchildren, William (Jessica) Akridge, and Dana Akridge; great-grandchildren, Carter Stephens, and Atticus Akridge; sister, Gwendolyn Davis Price of Crockett, TX; brother-in-law, Harold Wells; sisters-in-law, Ruth Davis and Ruth Henderson; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Special thanks are due to Melissa Sutton and Jessica King, for their loving care of Irene in her final days; and to Amedysis Hospice.

The family will accept friends Friday, from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at the funeral home prior to the service.

Online condolences may be made at www.collier-butler.com.