Irene Morris Cleveland Randall

Irene was born November 9, 1917 in Brookshire, Texas to the late James Arthur and Mollie Cleveland. The last survivor of her five siblings, she was preceded in death by brothers, child Frank Paul Cleveland, Sam Houston Cleveland, Clifford Cleveland, and sisters, Billie Mae Thornton and Bessie Marie Phillips.

Waitressing at the original Bedford’s Café on Washington Avenue she met our dad. Always the adventurer, she eloped on his Indian motorcycle to Flatonia TX, and became the bride of Robert Randolph Kerr Jr. in 1937, and had two children, Paul and Madeline. She was widowed by John L. Morris in 1965 and also in 2004 by Jim B. Randall, who together had found love again in their golden years. She is survived by son, Paul Harry Kerr (Linda), Winnie, Texas, daughter, Madeline Jeannette Kerr Armstrong (Richard), Houston, Bonus daughter, Wanda Morris Ford, Houston, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, many special nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends.

A proud 1936 Reagan High School graduate, she also earned a Bookkeeping Degree from Massey Business College and later her realtor’s license. From the owner of a children’s day care center in the Spring Branch area in the 1950’s, Co-Owner of “Kerr Construction Company”, (home builder in Spring Branch), to Cameron Iron Works, The Texas Highway Department, Real Estate Agent and an Antique and Gift Shop, she eventually joined forces with the Merle Norman Cosmetics Company. She retired in 1997 at age 80, after 30 years in the cosmetic business. She was a member of Terrace Methodist Church in Houston, The Professional Business Women’s Association, was First Vice President of Huntsville Woman’s Forum, a Life Member of The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Eastern Star-Chapter 240 of which she served as Worthy Matron Of Honor, and also a Charter Member of the New Army (Republic Of Texas). She participated in many community activities associated with the Texas Women’s Prison System and The Sam Houston Park Historical Programs. She loved reading, music, photography, traveling, and politics. She expressed that she “had a really good life, enjoyed and experienced many things, would probably only change a few things if she could and would be leaving without regrets”. Never ‘religious’, but nonetheless spiritual, she lived her life truthfully without excuse. All those that knew her would attest to the fact that she was strong willed, purpose driven and independent. Those very traits, coupled with good health, empowered her to live on her own until she suffered a stroke in November 2009, at 92 years of age. The family wishes to thank Sylvia and also all those affiliated with Benevolent Care, Inc. that loved and kept her smiling. Thank you Michael for all the flowers, hundreds of back rubs and your beautiful expression of unconditional love.

Friends were invited to a visitation with the family on Sunday, July 28, 2013, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and also to join them for her service beginning at 11:30am on Monday, July 29, in the chapel of Waltrip Funeral Directors. Graveside services and interment followed at Woodlawn Garden of Memories.

Pallbearers were her beloved grandsons, Michael Randolph Armstrong (Loretta), Gregory Alan Armstrong and great-grandsons, Christopher James, Gregory Alan II (Desiree), Zachary Kyle, Bryce Cullen and Honorary Pallbearer, great grand-daughter, Ashley Morgan. Pastor Allen Green of Northgate Christian Ministries, officiated this celebration of her life.