Irene Alice Yeary

Irene Alice McCutcheon was born in Atoka Oklahoma in 1920. She was the last of eight children born to Emma and James McCutcheon and lived with her family in the tiny village of Lively. Irene came to Austin in 1939. In Austin she enrolled in the Dual Arts School where she completed her work for a certificate in cosmetology. She worked as a licensed beautician in Austin for over 50 years, most of those years at Paul's Beauty Salon. In 1943 she gave birth to a daughter, who she loved and raised, while she was a single parent and working full-time. Irene's father had been a farmer and Baptist minister and soon after coming to Austin, Irene joined the First Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by four brothers, Gilbert, Howard, Reuben and A.J. McCutcheon; three sisters, Grace Tidwell, Jewell Galbreath and Hazel Massey; nephew, Jay McCutcheon; great-nephew, Randy McCutcheon; and her best friend of many years, Edna Fowler. She is survived by one daughter, Sheryl Yeary; nieces, Betty Younger and Jane Holbrook; and nephews Jim McCutcheon, Charles McCutcheon, Kelley McCutcheon and John Massey; as well as the loving families of all.

Irene was a wonderful "down-home" cook and thrived on preparing holiday feasts for family and friends for many years. She learned her kitchen skills while helping her mother, Emma, prepare meals for the family. She was a talented gardener, who had only to whisper to her plants to get them to flourish. Nothing made her happier than digging in the dirt and nurturing the fruits of her labor. Even after developing macular degeneration she continued to garden, admitting she occasionally put the bulbs in the ground upside down. Irene was rarely seen without a pet in her arms or on her lap. On the family farm in Oklahoma, she played with the horses, cows, pigs and chickens and learned there were no animals she couldn't love.

Irene was a dedicated professional and loved her work. She was a loving mother, aunt and friend. The many who knew and loved her will be blessed with the memory of her generosity, creativity, humor and her kind and open heart.

A private service will be held at a later date. Sheryl Yeary can be reached at 550-3488.