Born 2 April 1931, as the eldest of eight children to Dossie and Rosa King (nee Evans), Irene will be lovingly remembered by her friends and family for her huge heart, playful demeanor, and many talents. Her love of life and people was evident and she could light up any room with her smile, stories, and laughter.
She attended Toone School and later in life completed her high school courses by correspondence.
She grew up in the farm life and knew hard work from just about everything on the farm - even “gee hawing” a mule. As a young mother, she pulled an eight foot cotton sack, often with one of her children laying on the tail end of it.
In the home, she was blessed with remarkable creative talents as she lovingly sewed and crocheted many works of art. Her baby shower gifts were often handmade bonnets or booties and she ensured her grandchildren and great grandchildren each had a handmade quilt especially crafted for them.
She loved to cook and no one left her table hungry and no church dinner was complete without her made-from-scratch banana pudding or coconut pie. Her pancakes, biscuits, fried chicken, and fried chocolate pies were some family favorites.
She sang, danced, played guitar and piano and would often say, “I have music in my bones!” In her later years, she sang with “The Golden Sounds” and volunteered her time to sing with the residents of Pine Meadows Nursing Home where she was once named “Volunteer of the Year”.
Irene shared the love of Jesus Christ with others through her words and deeds. She spent many years playing piano and singing in the church choir and taught many Sunday School classes. A charter member of Cloverport Baptist; she was, most recently, the eldest member of Maple Springs Baptist Church near Mercer, Tenn where she was an inspiration with her faithful attendance.
Irene is survived by two sisters, Emogene Walton of Bolivar, Tenn., Margie Arnold of Paris, Tenn.; one son, Kenneth Douglas Vinson (Sonia) of Cloverport, Tenn.; two granddaughters Teri Jo Read (David) of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Wendy Vinson Ray (Chris) of Mamaroneck, NY; and six great grandchildren Aspen, Joshua, Mara, Willow, Rowan and Jacob. She will also be lovingly remembered by many nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years Wallace Woodrow Vinson and son, Dennis Woodrow Vinson.
A memorial service and celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, January 1, at 1:00 p.m. at Smith’s South Chapel in Jackson, with burial in Maple Springs Cemetary. Visitation will begin at 11:00 am.
Memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society, National Kidney Foundation or Maple Springs Baptist Church.
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