Irene Smalley Witherspoon, 87, of Grand Prairie, Texas passed away on May 16, 2022. Irene was born at home in Ravenna, Texas, Fannin County, on November 9, 1934 to Franklin Doctor Smalley and Vera Odell Gober.
Irene had six brothers, five sisters and one half-brother. She married her husband, Bobbie Witherspoon, in August 1957.
Irene and Bobbie liked to garden and work in the yard. She enjoyed canning garden items for many years with her husband. She worked a few jobs during her lifetime, including being an elevator operator in downtown Dallas. She loved country music and loved to sing and dance. She also loved her country gospel music. Her favorite times were at family gatherings and cook outs, where she could spend time and talk with her family.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 32 years, Bobbie Witherspoon; son Ricky Cleaver; parents, Franklin Doctor Smalley and Vera Odell Gober; sisters Ruthie Lee Adamson, Maxine McCallum, Vera Nell Smalley, Anna Jean McCallum; half brother, Elmer Leon Smalley; and brothers Dewey Lee Smalley, JD Smalley, Frank Smalley, GW Smalley, Joe Dell Smalley and Phillip Smalley.
Irene is survived by her two daughters, Vicki McAleer and Teresa Knipper; grandchildren Bradley Miller, Krysta Bratton, Jennifer Miller, Ryan McAleer; and three great grandchildren, Averi Miles, Ethan Bratton, and Morgan Miles; her sister Denzil Coulter of Tennessee and many nieces, nephews and friends.
A visitation for Irene will be held Saturday, May 28, 2022 from 8:45 AM to 9:45 AM at Grand Prairie Funeral Home, 733 Dalworth Street, Grand Prairie, TX 75050. The funeral service will take place immediately following the visitation at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow the funeral service at Southland Memorial Park, 1100 SW 3rd Street, Grand Prairie, TX 75051.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grandprairiefh.com for the Witherspoon family.
