Irene Tidwell

Martha "Irene " Tidwell, 89, went to be with her Lord on Saturday, August 23rd. A Celebration of her Life will be held on Tuesday, August 26th at Bethany Baptist Church in Bolingbroke. Viewing will be held from 11:00-12:25 and the family will receive friends from 12:30 until the service begins at 1:30. Her son-in-law, the Rev. Jimmy Corbitt, will officiate. Burial will be private for the family.

Irene was born in Houston County (Haynesville), Georgia. She attended Lanier High School for Girls and Heard Elementary School where one of her fondest memories was winning the Spelling Bee when she was eleven years old. She was part of the women riveter team at Robins AFB during World War II and worked at Newberrys and the Macon Shirt Company as a young lady. She was a homemaker who loved gardening and birds and was a devoted mother to her two daughters. Irene served as a Pink Lady volunteer at the Medical Center of Central Georgia for many years.

Irene was a charter member of Porterfield Baptist Church where she taught Childrens Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and was a member of the church choir. She was also a charter member of Bethany Baptist Church in Bolingbroke where her son-in-law and grandson minister.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Frank Butler Tidwell; her mother, Ora Hudson Bryant; father, Grover C. Bryant, Sr.; sisters, Josephine Smith and Elsie Turner; brothers, Grover Bryant, Jr. and Slaton Bryant.

She is survived by her daughters, Susan (Jimmy) Corbitt and Cathy (Charlie) Gatlin; grandson, Daniel (Aubrey) Corbitt; sister, Evelyn Bunch; brother, Calder Bryant; and beloved nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express heartfelt thanks to friends and neighbors especially Randy Willingham and Allen and Lou Wilson who ministered to her daily and also to the wonderful caregivers and staff at the Medical Center of Central Georgia and Pine Pointe Hospice.

Donations in memory of Mrs. Tidwell may be made to Bethany Baptist Church Building Fund. P.O. Box 539, Bolingbroke, GA 31004.

Visit www.maconmp.com to express tributes.

Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home & Cemetery has charge of arrangements.