Irene Warren

Irene Davis Warren passed from this life Sunday, July 26, at her home in Poplar Bluff.

Irene was born in Midway, AR July 11, 1926, the third child of Homer H. and Virginia Davis. She grew up in Arkansas and in Missouri. She graduated from Poplar Bluff High School in 1944.

On May 28, 1951 she married Billy L. Warren. They eloped to Piggott AR, honeymooned in St. Louis, and travelled to Fort Smith AR to begin their life together. Billy was stationed at Fort Smith as a cook in the Army and Irene worked as an elevator operator in a local department store.

Upon returning to Poplar Bluff after Bill’s army career ended, Irene worked for many years at Barnes Grocery as a bookkeeper. She continued to work until the birth of their daughter, Patti.

Irene was a member of First Christian Church for over 70 years, joining at the age of 16. She served for many years as Financial Secretary, worked in vacation Bible school, women’s circle and also as a Sunday school teacher.

In 1975 Irene went back to full time work. She worked at MO Job Service in the unemployment section. She was there for many years until taking early retirement due to health problems.

Irene was a fighter and battled Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma over 20 years. She went through chemo and radiation 3 times, after remissions and new occurrences. Her strong faith in God got her through those trying times and she never gave up.

Though her health problems limited activities in her later years, she remained very interested and active from home.

She was an avid reader, she loved mysteries of any kind, especially murder mysteries. She was a loyal fan of PBS and loved Inspector Morris, Doc Martin, Keeping up Appearances and her all-time favorite, Hercule Poirot. Every Saturday night began with Lawrence Welk and ended with whatever mystery was showing at 10 pm.

Whenever health permitted, Wednesday afternoons were spent with the “Wednesday Afternoon Card Girls”-her sister; Betty Threlkeld, Jean Wiseman, Katherine Turner and Kathi Landers. This group met for over 20 years before health problems made it impossible for many to attend. But those Wednesdays meant the world to Irene. The card games might have ended, but the friendships were precious and remained strong.

Her husband of 58 years, Bill Warren, preceded her in death as did her son-in-law, Russ Chowning; two brothers: Harold Davis and Ralph Davis, and her parents, Homer and Virgie Davis. Her daughter, Patti Warren Chowning survives, as does her brother, Bob Davis (Marna), a sister Betty Threlkeld; many nieces and nephews; and many friends.

The family asks that any memorial donations be made to First Christian Church or Northside Nutrition Center.

Visitation will be Wednesday from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at First Christian Church, followed by funeral service at 1: 30 p.m. Interment will be at City Cemetery with Rev. Jeffery Hammonds officiating.