Irene Odell Martin

Born on November 16, 1941 in Amherst County, she was the daughter of the late James Howard Mays and Rosa Floyd Mays.

Irene was a former member of Gospel Baptist Church. She enjoyed shopping, singing, sitting on her front porch, her grandchildren, and her Dr. Pepper.

In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by two brothers, Fred Steppe and James Mays and two sisters, Madeline Mays and Susan Gilbert.

She is survived by her daughters, Deborah Lane and husband Hillary of Monroe and Teresa Irby and husband Joseph of Gladys; her son, John Martin and Kay of Madison Heights; her four granddaughters, Brandy Lane, Sarah Irby, Savannah Martin, and Dixie Martin; and numerous other family members.

The family will receive friends on Monday, August 4, 2014 from 7 to 9 pm at Whitten Monelison Chapel. A graveside service will be held at 2 pm on Tuesday, August 5, 2014 at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church Cemetery in Amherst, with Richard Bowman officiating.