Irene Bennett Smith

Irene Bennett Smith was born in Henrietta, Oklahoma on February 6, 1924, to Simon and Julia Bennett. She was the twelfth child born to that union. Irene and her parents relocated to Shiloh, Alabama at an early age.

She received her education at Paradise School. (A one-room schoolhouse) She became a member of Paradise Baptist Church, where she was baptized.

Irene always said, “I am getting from down here in these woods and I am going back to Oklahoma!” But all of that changed in 1941 when she met and married James Ira Smith. When Irene entered heaven on November 11, 2020 she was reunited with her loving husband of now, 79 years.

To this union, 15 children (3 sets of twins) were born. After the passing of her husband, she and her children moved to Chula Vista, California in April of 1963.

Her precedents in death are her parents (Simon (1941) and Julia Bennett (1973). Her husband (James Ira Smith 1962) and five children, Roger Smith (1954) Martha Bowden (1992), Abraham Smith (2001), Thelma Williams (2002) (Wife to Sammie Williams), and Ernest Smith (2015).

She attended Woodlawn Park, Church of God in Christ. Her passions include fishing, traveling, putting puzzles together and taking care of her family. Irene was a courageous and independent person. She was loved and will be greatly missed by all that came to know her.

On Wednesday, November 11, 2020, God gave her wings and called her home. Those left behind to continue her legacy are six sons: James Louis Smith (Claudia Mae), Charlie Leo Smith, Albert Smith, and Ira Lee Smith (Robin). All from San Diego, California. Also, Elbert Smith (Teletha) of Wildomar, California, and Simon Smith (Susan) of Ventura, California. 4 daughters: Marquetta Adams (Nate) of San Diego, California, Betty Rene Smith of Chula Vista, California, Dorothy Jean Powell of Murrieta, California, and Dorothy Mae Dowell (Kenneth) of Atoka, Tennessee. One brother, David Bennett (101 years old), and one sister, Annie R Williams, both in San Diego, California. 27 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and 17 great great-grandchildren (with two more on the way) and a host of relatives and friends.