Ruth Irene Hendricks

Ruth Irene, age 89 of Hoover, AL passed away on Sunday, March 15, 2015. Irene was born on September 23, 1925 in Phoenix, Arizona to George and Ruth Stewart. She is survived by a sister Jean Koenig of Owensville, MO, her son Thomas of Austin, TX, her daughter Jean (Longstreth) of Laurel, MD, five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by Cy Hendricks, her loving husband of 68 years and one brother (Tommy). Irene was raised in rural Arizona, in Phoenix, Casa Grande, Camp Verde, Litchfield and then Tucson. She graduated from Tucson (AZ) High School in 1943, and Magna Cum Laude from Birmingham Southern College in 1947, a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She taught English and Journalism at Banks High School from 1965 until her retirement in 1985. Upon her marriage she moved to Alabama, settling first in Pratt City, where she became a member of the Pratt City Baptist Church. When she and her young family moved to Ensley Highlands in 1951 they joined the Fairfield First Baptist Church, remaining members there until it closed in 2005. For many of those years Irene was the church librarian. At the time of her passing she was a member of the Central Park Baptist Church. Services will be held at the Elmwood Chapel on Thursday, March 19th with visitation from 10:00 to 11:00 am with service beginning at 11:00 am. Internment immediately following service in Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, friends are requested to make donations to the National Parkinson Foundation, PO Box 5018, Hagerstown MD 21741.