Irene Proffer-White

Irene Proffer-White, 79, of Poplar Bluff died Thursday, May 19, 2011 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo.
Irene was born Sept. 24, 1931 in Morehouse, Mo. In 1964, she along with her husband Udell Proffer formed two of the largest independent family owned produce companies in a four state area, Proffer Wholesale Produce in Park Hills, Mo. and Bluff City Produce in Poplar Bluff. Irene enjoyed spending time with her family, flower gardening and fishing.
On Sept. 25, 1948, she married the father of her children, Clarence Udell Proffer. He preceded her in death on April 24, 1991. On Aug. 23, 2003, she married James ""Jim"" White. He survives.
Other survivors include her children: Bengy Udell Proffer and wife Wonia and Ricky Lynn Proffer and wife Nikki all of Park Hills, Mo. and Rhenda Joyce Hutchison of Poplar Bluff; step-children: Mike White and wife Carole of Poplar Bluff and Jackie White Maiven and husband Steven of Newberg, Oreg.; grandchildren: JeAnna Pinkston and husband Mark, C.J. Hutchison, Bobby Proffer and wife Shelly, Michelle Richardson and husband Shane, Lacey Walker and husband T.J., Carrie Underwood and husband Bryan, Cassie Proffer, Christy Proffer, Mary Harris and husband Aaron, Clayton Proffer and Harlie Modglin; great-grandchildren: Chelsea Cash, Cheyanne Cash, Caylin Coshenet, Dalton Proffer, Payton Proffer, Connor Proffer, Evan Proffer, Faith Richardson, Regan Richardson, Lexi Richardson, Kady Richardson, Tyler Walker, Cloey Walker, Tabatha Walker, Tray Underwood, Trudie Underwood, Alivia Coplin and Isaac Degonia; step-grandchildren, Jessamine Whitemore and husband Logan and Breann Jenson and husband Jarod; step-great-grandchildren, Brenna Morse, Jaxon White, Derek Whitmore, Jacob Whitmore, Kiynzie Whitmore and Landry Jenson; sister, Betty Foust and husband Bob of Harviell; brother, Murel Leek of Dexter; sister-in-law, Helen Lusk of Park Hills, Mo.; and brother-in-law, George Whitaker of Potosi, Mo.
Irene was preceded in death by her father, Amos Leek, mother and step-father, Allie Williams Leek Blagg and George Blagg, twin daughters, great-grandson, Hayden Udell Proffer, step-grandson, Shawn White and brothers, Harold Leek and LeRoy Leek.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at The Palace of Praise, 1400 Herschel Bess Blvd. in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. Tuesday at The Palace of Praise with Pastor Chris Owensby officiating. Burial will be at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Poplar Bluff.
Memorials may be made to UCAN (United Cancer Assistance Network), 1419 Maud St., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901.
Online condolence may be expressed online to the family at www.cotrellfuneralservice.com.