Irene F. Geiss

Irene Fatheree Geiss, 94, passed peaceful at her home in Alexandria VA on April 12, 2011. She was preceded eight months earlier by her husband of 68 years. Irene was born in Clark County, Mississippi on May 28, 1916, the eighth of nine children. She graduated from Mississippi University for Women with a BS degree. Worked as Home Management Supervisor at the Department of Agriculture in Natchez and Starkville Mississippi where she met her husband Ermal and married on July 1942. While Ermal served in the Southwest Pacific Theatre, Irene worked as Home Economists at the County Extension Service in Jackson, MS. Upon Ermal’s return they moved to the Washington DC area. Irene’s focus of life became full time homemaking with one son Philip Allen, church and community activities. She served with Ermal as co-president of the Rustin Couples Class, co-superintendents of the Children Division of Sunday School. She was a member of the Administrative Board, Office and Circle Leader of the Women’s Society of Christian Service and served proudly in the PEO Sisterhood for five years concluding as President of the DC State Board. While in Tokyo Japan, Irene studied Ikebana, receiving Teacher’s Certificates from the classical school, Koryu and the modern school, Sogetsu. This lead to teaching classes and giving demonstrations to Garden Clubs and other groups in Virginia, District of Columbia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. She was active early on at Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church and later at Annandale United Methodist Church. Irene traveled extensively and led a very full life as wife, mother and friend.

Irene is survived by her son Philip, his wife Kimberly and grandsons Jonathan and Joseph of High Point, NC. Services will be at Annandale United Methodist and burial at Arlington National Cemetery.