Irene Judith Kippes McAfee

Irene Judith Kippes McAfee was a cheerful and giving woman. She was born on 12/4/1929, in the family home, in Ellis Kansas. Her parents, Raymond John Kippes and Agnes Marcella Herman Kippes owned a processing and rendering operation in Ellis. Raymond travelled extensively and he was interested in many business opportunities. In 1949, Raymond sent Irene with her husband Millard McAfee, to San Angelo. They followed Irene’s cousin Omer Drieling with his wife Virginia to develop a plant in San Angelo. Irene & Millard were involved in the community after having 4 children from 1950-1955. They attended a gala opening of the Town House on 3/18/1956. She played Lt, Jane Tyson in Lions Club Play “Leave It to the Navy”. Irene sang in a choral group, leading the group with her pitch pipe. They were associated with Goodfellow and performed often. She supported art & fundraising groups with Sacred Heart Cathedral, Jr. League of San Angelo, Kimball Art Gallery and Holy Angels Church and School. Irene drew the sketch for the Priest & Indian memorial. That memorial can be seen at the confluence of the Concho Rivers. “The Lady in Blue” commemorates that location. A ceremony that began as early as 2009. After having their 5th child in 1967, Irene returned to college at ASU. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts on 5/12/1978. She moved to San Antonio, TX and graduated, May 1981, with a Masters in Social Work. Irene was very involved with her daughter, Kathleen’s education and extracurricular activities at St. Ursula Academy. She returned to Tucker Unit, at Sagecrest on 4/9/2009. She lived there until the time of her death. She is survived by 4 children; Mike McAfee, Cindy McAfee, Gill, Shawn McAfee Nishimura and Kathleen McAfee. Her 4th child Richard passed on 3/25/1995. She also has 5 grandchildren John Russell Gill, Tara Michelle Nishimura, Seth Marshall Nishimura, Trina Marie Nishimura and Teresa Miye Nishimura. We thank all of the staff at Sagecrest Tucker Unit for the love and care they shared with her for years. Their understanding of Alzheimer/Dementia diagnosis is exceptional. We are grateful for the Tucker Unit staff’s patience with people who suffer the affliction of those diagnoses. We pray that she may rest peacefully in the hands of God and look forward to life after death, in Heaven. Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 21, 2017 from 5:00 – 5:30 PM with the rosary starting at 5:30 PM at Johnson’s Funeral Home Community room. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. Scared Heart Catholic Cathedral with burial to follow at Fairmount Cemetery. Arrangements are under the directions of Johnson’s Funeral Home.