IRENE SHOOK MATHEWS

Irene Shook Mathews (92) passed away on Easter Sunday morning, April 20, 2014. She is now in the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Born February 14, 1922, Mrs. Mathews was the first of eight children born to the late Annie Laura Burroughs Shook and William (Bill) Shook. She was the beloved wife of the late Edmond C. Mathews, Jr. for sixty-one years. She was a life-long resident of Bayview having moved there with her parents in 1940. She was also a member of the Minor High School graduating class of 1940. In addition to her husband and her parents, she was predeceased by two sisters, Margaret Shook Shell and Charlotte Shook Ginn. She was predeceased by three brothers, Billy Ray Shook, James Shook, and Walter Shook. Mrs. Mathews is survived by two sisters, Pat Shook Cooley and Peggy Shook Grammer, and special niece Pam Shell Montgomery. She is also survived by many other nieces and nephews. She is survived by her only child, her son, and her daughter-in-law, Richard and Judy V. Mathews. The joys of her life include her two granddaughters and her four great-grandchildren. Her granddaughters are Jennifer Mathews Tennant and her husband, Michael, and Emily Mathews Baker and her husband, Austin. Her great-grandchildren include Emma Gray Tennant, Jack Ebert Tennant, William Mathews Baker, and Wyatt Beau Baker. She took great pride and joy in sharing pictures of them to everyone with whom she came in contact. She was most interested in their lives and all of their activities. Mrs. Mathews considered the most important things in her life to be her God, her family, her church, Bayview United Methodist Church, and the Order of the Eastern Star. She became a member of Louise Richardson Chapter No. 236, Order of the Eastern Star on February 22, 1955. She later served as Past Grand Marshal from 1959 – 1960 and was the oldest living Past Grand Marshal. She dearly loved attending Eastern Star events and visiting chapters all over the State of Alabama . She had many, many beloved friends through her involvement in the Order of the Eastern Star. Mrs. Mathews retired from Busch Jewelry after serving thirty-eight years as credit manager at the Ensley store. She loved the Atlanta Braves and Auburn football. The family extends a very special thank you to Dr. Joseph Wu and his wonderful nurse, Reva, for the care and concern they always expressed to Mrs. Mathews and her family. The family would also like to express their sincere appreciation to Joyce Moore who was her caregiver for the past five years. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, April 24, at Peoples Chapel, Hueytown, Alabama, at 2:00 in the chapel with visitation from 12:00 – 2:00. Burial will follow at Village Falls Cemetery. Pallbearers include Michael Tennant, Austin Baker, Randy Grammer, Bobby Jett, Jake Jett, Robert Mitchell, Hal Zimmerman, and Mike Powell. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Bayview United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 340, Mulga, AL 35118.