Iris Gay Ethridge of Orange Beach, AL passed away on Wednesday, February 28, 2024. She is preceded in death by her husband William David Ethridge, Sr. and parents John Olin Gay and Opal Brown Gay. Also preceding her are her siblings, brother, John F. Gay and sisters, Caroline Sue Gay and Linda Gay Earwood.
Iris was elected to the City Council in 1996 and again in 2000. She had been a resident of Orange Beach since 1991. Before moving to Orange Beach she was an educator with the Mobile County Public Schools. She received her BS degree from Samford University and a Master’s Degree from the University of South Alabama. She was the first Ms. Senior Baldwin County in 2002 and was Chairperson of the 2003 Ms. Senior Baldwin County Pageant Board. A 2003 graduate of Leadership Baldwin County, she is he only Advanced Certified Municipal Official on the Orange Beach City Council. She was an active member of First Baptist Church.
Iris was a member of the Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission, Coastal Alabama Alliance, Pleasure Island Art Association, Baldwin County Elected Officials and Alabama and National Parks & Recreation Associations. She had been a member of the Orange Beach Fishing Association since 1990 and served two terms as a member of the Gulf of Mexico Management Council.
Iris is survived by her children Sandra Denise (Richard) Neal and William David (Michelle) Ethridge, Jr. Her grandchildren; Joshua William (Kylie) Huggins and Linda Iris Ethridge and siblings Myra (Dave) Taunton, O. David (Anita) Gay, Dan K. Gay and Sharon (Lamar) Wilson and many special nieces, nephews, cousins and other friends and relatives also survive her.
Visitation will be held at Radney Funeral Home-Mobile on Friday, March 1, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Radney Funeral Home-Mobile on Saturday March 2 ,2024 beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow in Pine Crest Cemetery, 1939 Dauphin Island Pkwy., Mobile, AL.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Orange Beach Lions Club, P. O. Box 1131, Orange Beach, AL 36561. (Please note in memory of Iris Ethridge on your donation).
Condolences may be offered at www.radneyfuneralhome-mobile.com.
