Irene Deal

Irene was born in Rolling Fork, Mississippi on January 13, 1934 to Clarence Ogé Couvillon and Radie Irene Dismuke Couvillon. She moved to Charlotte in 1943 with her mother and two brothers after the death of her father in 1938. She graduated from Central High School in 1951, and caught the eye of Jimmy Deal, the boy who lived across the street. They dated, and were married on February 7, 1953 at Calvary Methodist Church in Charlotte. It was a marriage that would endure for 63 happy years until Jimmy’s death in 2016. She worked as an administrative assistant in accounting for several Charlotte businesses.

Irene began attending Woodlawn Baptist Church in 1956, and took on an active role in the church which would span 51 years. She adored children and felt a strong call to teach and minister to them, which she did faithfully through teaching Sunday School and leading Children’s Choir programs. She was a faithful member of the Adult Choir for the same period, where she enjoyed singing alto. She loved her church dearly, and was a friend, encourager, and mentor to many.

She enjoyed crafting, floral arranging, her pets, sewing, reading, and special vacations to the beach. Most of all, she enjoyed her family and derived great joy from simply spending time together.

She was completely devoted to her family, and fully exemplified what a godly wife and mother should be. She believed in her family, encouraged her children to reach their highest potential, and for all to be reflectors of God’s love in a dark world. Irene’s Christian faith was the source of the great joy which radiated from her face. Her steadfast faith in God and her personal reliance on His grace and guidance will remain an example to us for the rest of our lives.

She is survived by her two children, James N. Deal, Jr. of Charlotte, and Brenda Deal Austell (husband David Len) of Lake Wylie, South Carolina; grandchildren Ashley Austell Randall of St. Louis, MO and Bryce Austell and fiancé Brittany Harvey of Milford, MA; great-granddaughter Josie Randall of St. Louis; Craig Fisher of Charlotte, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, James Newton Deal; her parents Clarence Ogé Couvillon and Radie Irene Dismuke Couvillon, her sister Nancy Augusta Couvillon, brother Clarence Ogé Couvillon, Jr., and brother Frank Anatole Couvillon, and several beloved nieces and nephews.

A service to celebrate the life of Irene will be held at 12:00 noon Thursday, July 22 at Woodlawn Baptist Church, 4622 Nations Crossing Road, Charlotte, NC, with a brief graveside service to follow at Sharon Memorial Park. The family will receive friends in the sanctuary of the church prior to the service from 10:00 AM until 11:30 AM. Arrangements are handled by the McEwen Funeral Service, 5716 Monroe Road. The family would like to thank Westminster Health and Rehab and Agape Care Hospice, both of

Rock Hill, SC for their excellent care in recent months.