Ruth Ann Irby

Ruth Ann Irby, 84, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Sunday, September 18, 2016. A celebration of her life will be held Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at 11:00am at Lizella Baptist Church with the Rev. Shannon Back officiating. Burial will follow in Macon Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will greet friends Tuesday night from 6:00pm until 8:00pm at Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 886 Mulberry Street, Macon, 31201 or to Lizella Baptist Church, Golden Fellowship Fund, 2950 South Lizella Road, Lizella, 31052. The family may be contacted at the residence of Tracy and Mike Mullis.

Mrs. Irby was born on July 31, 1932 in Macon, Georgia. She was the daughter of the late Gladys and Frances Middlebrooks and the late Lloyd and Ruth Newbern, and lived here all of her life. Although her residence was in Macon, her heart was at the beach. For the last three years, she was a resident of The Oaks at Peake Assisted Living, Foster Road, where she received care, compassion and love.

Mrs. Irby was a member of Lizella Baptist Church. She retired from Georgia Farm Bureau in 1995 after 24 years of service and later worked for the Convention and Visitors Bureau, where she was instrumental in bringing a model of the USS Macon Navy Ship to City Hall. Mrs. Irby was a proud supporter of the Cherry Blossom Festival and loved to shop and travel. She enjoyed entertaining and hosted an annual BBQ for nearly 30 years. She loved music, especially country, and was a Dawgs fan, always playing “On the Road Again” as they departed for home games in Athens.

Mrs. Irby is preceded in death by her husband of 31 years, LeeRoy Bartow Irby; son, Michael Ray Irby; daughter, Julie Ann Walton; and granddaughter, Susanne Harrak. She had a heart of gold, gentle spirit and was dearly loved by her children and friends.

She is survived by children, Herman D. Landress (Sally) of Daytona, Florida, DiAnne Smith of Lizella, daughter-in-law, Sheri Irby, Teresa Simpson (Bobby) of Acworth, David Bartow Irby, Jeff Landress (Carla) of Germantown, NC, Scott Irby of Bullard, Beth Wallace (Pat) of Lizella, and Tracy Mullis (Mike); 15 grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren.

Visit www.maconmp.com to express condolences.

Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery have charge of arrangements.