Irene Carol Thompson

Irene Carol Thompson (Sbravati) 81, passed away June 3, 2023, of natural causes surrounded by family in Jacksonville, Florida. She was a resident of the Cascades Community within the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida. Irene was born December 22, 1941, to Emo and Enis Sbravati in Clarksdale, Mississippi who immigrated from Bologna, Italy. After graduating high school, Irene moved to Memphis, Tennessee to complete a business degree at a local community college.

From there she embarked in her career as a secretary for the FBI headquartered in Memphis where she met Finis Thompson, the love of her life that she married in 1964. She had their two children, Chris and Angela, in Memphis and then the family moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1970. While raising her children in Chattanooga, Irene worked for St. Stephen’s Catholic Church as the priest executive secretary and office manager while Finis served as a permanent deacon.

Irene was affectionately known as "Tutta" by her Sbravati family and spent many family gatherings with her own family visiting Clarksdale, Mississippi while living in Tennessee enjoying huge family reunions with their famous homemade raviolis. When Finis’ role changed with Association of American Railroad (AAR) in 1989, they both left their beloved home in Chattanooga to move to Bowie, Maryland to work as an executive secretary for the Association of American Railroads in Washington DC alongside her husband.

In 2010, Irene retired from AAR and they both moved to the Cascades in St. Augustine, Florida to be closer to family. During her time in Florida, she enjoyed many wonderful times with her children and grandchildren including celebrating special occasions with her famous lasagna and her 50th wedding anniversary in 2014.

Irene is preceded in death by her parents Emo and Enis Sbravati; husband of 52 years Finis; brothers, Tony Sbravati (wife Bessie (d)), Vito Sbravati (wife Christine (d)), sisters Vita Trimble (husband James (d)), Lillian Borgognoni (husband Reno (d)). She is survived by son Christopher (wife Stephanie); daughter Angela; grandchildren John, Stephen, Mary, James, and Mark; sister Gladys Boyles; brother Primo Sbravati (wife Joyous) and numerous nieces and nephews.

Irene was an incredible wife, sister, Tutta, Mom, Mamaw, and friend who shared her love for her family with many. She will be greatly missed. “Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near, so loved, so missed, so very dear.”

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday June 14, in Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday June 15 in Historic St. Joseph’s Church 4214 Loretto Road Jacksonville FL 32223 with interment to follow at 1:30pm in the Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Rd. Jacksonville FL 32218.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mental Health America (www.mhanational.org) or the American Heart Association (www.heart.org/donate) in honor of Irene Carol Thompson.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgmandarin.com for the Thompson family.