Irene Stone O'Bryant

Irene Oleva Stone O’Bryant was born May 17, 1932, in Verden, Oklahoma, to Austin Vernon Stone and Carrie Idella Stone. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, in Dallas, Texas, at the age of 94.

Irene was born in Verden, Oklahoma, where her family lived in a small German community. They lived in a double tent—one side for sleeping and living and the other for cooking. Irene was one of five children, the next to youngest. When Irene was three years old, the family traveled by wagon to Texas and settled in Terrell, Texas, close to her mother’s family. She didn’t have the easiest childhood, but despite the hardships she experienced, she grew into the kindest, most caring, and forgiving person.

When Irene was a teenager, the family moved to Forney, Texas. She loved working at the soda fountain after school inside Adams Drug Store, owned by Frank and Gail Carmichael, on the square in downtown Forney. Frank and Gail allowed Irene to live above the soda shop so she wouldn’t have to walk across town after dark. Their kindness was something she remembered fondly.

Irene graduated from Forney High School in 1949. In September of that year, she traveled to Dallas to attend nursing school at Baylor Technician Nursing School at Baylor Hospital. She graduated in March 1951 and went on to work as a scrub nurse for Baylor University Hospital for many years.

Irene met her husband, William “Bill” Francis O’Bryant, when they both lived in an apartment complex on Gaston Avenue. Irene and her roommates needed the “community vacuum cleaner,” and Bill brought it over. It was love at first sight. They dated for nine months before tying the knot on September 17, 1960.

They quickly moved into the house they had purchased together, where Irene would live for the next 66 years—almost nine years after Bill’s passing. Irene and Bill were happily married for 58 years.

Together, they had two children whom they cherished, first Gary and then Kristie. Irene loved attending their activities and cheering them on, and later took great joy in attending all of her grandchildren’s activities as well. She treasured every opportunity to support her family and be part of the moments that mattered most to them.

Irene had a strong faith in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She loved children and spent many years teaching Sunday School, Mission Friends, and Vacation Bible School. One year, she even went to Falls Creek youth camp with Kristie. Irene also served as the Children’s Director at Ferguson Road Baptist Church for 30 years before she and Bill moved their church letter to Lakeside Baptist Church.

Irene had a sweet smile and a generous heart. She was a member of SILK at Lakeside and later at Lakepoint, where she would knit and sew, donating her handmade items to those less fortunate. She was always finding ways to give to others. She would bake cakes, cookies, and fudge, and knit scrubbies and dishcloths to give to friends, family, doctors, and her Naborforce drivers—who quickly became her friends. We will forever miss her legendary chicken and dumplings.

Irene loved holidays, especially Christmas, and she decorated every room of her house. Her home was filled with the warmth, love, and joy that she brought into the lives of everyone around her.

Irene’s greatest legacy was not found in the things she made or the places she worked, but in the love she freely gave. She was kind, caring, generous, and forgiving. She had a way of making people feel loved, and she never seemed to run out of ways to give to others. Her faith in Jesus was the foundation of her life, and her love for her family was at the center of it.

Irene is survived by her son, Gary O’Bryant, and his girlfriend, Patty Salazar; daughter, Kristie Adams, and son-in-law, Donnie Adams; four grandchildren, Kristen Van’t Westeinde and husband Anthony, Nicole Kottenbrook and husband Jake, Gavin Adams, and Kaleigh Adams; and three great-grandchildren, Oliver and Lukas Van’t Westeinde and Palmer Kottenbrook. She is also survived by her sister, Jackie Whatley and husband David, her brother Don Rider and wife Mary, along with several nieces, nephews, and cherished friends.

Though Irene will be deeply missed, her family finds comfort in knowing that she is now with her Lord and Savior and reunited with the love of her life, Bill. Her gentle spirit, sweet smile, generous heart, and unwavering faith will live on through the many lives she touched.

Visitation is Monday, September 14, 2026, from 6-8pm at Grove Hill Funeral Home in Dallas, Texas.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at 1:00, at Lakepointe Church - East Dallas, 9150 Garland Rd, Dallas, Texas 75218.

Interment will follow at Grove Hill Memorial Park, 3920 Samuell Blvd, Dallas, Texas 75228.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Buckner Baptist Children's Home or to American Cancer Society.