Irene Reid Mathews Love

Born to George and Crissie Reid in Lehigh, Blount County, AL. she graduated from Montevallo High School in 1936 and Alverson Business College in 1937. While working for Jefferson News Company, she met her husband Charley and they married at Ensley Baptist Church in 1940. When Charley moved to St. Petersburg to serve in the Merchant Marines, Irene stayed behind to work as office manager. She was the first woman to hold that position. When Charley was promoted to a supply position enabling him to stay ashore, Irene joined him. Through her connections at JNC, she was hired at Sun News in St. Petersburg. In 1945, she moved to Orlando to help start the Orange News Company, and moved back to St. Petersburg shortly before the birth of her first daughter, Charene. After World War II she and Charley relocated near hear parents in Graysville, AL. They both worked for and retired from the City of Graysville.

Irene is preceded in death by her parents George and Crissie (Starnes) Reid; two loving husbands, Charles Eugene Mathews and Hiram Ollie Love; beloved daughters, Charene Mathews Smith and Susan Mathews Dollar; sisters Lorene Reeves, Wilma Caldwell and Maybelle Douglas Beavert.

She is survived by her sister, Margaret Hustead of Denver, Colorado, and brother George (Linda) Reid of Oneonta, two step-children: Carol Wadsworth of Vero Beach, FL and Dennis Love of Mt. Olive, two sons-in-law: Gary Smith of Duluth, GA. and Johnny Dollar of Morris. 4 grandchildren: Brad (Tara) Smith of Acworth, GA, Lara Smith of Duluth, Mathew (Amy) Burkett of Hayden, and Michael (Emily) Burkett of Remlap, 8 great-grandchildren and numerous step grand and great grandchildren.

In recent years, Irene had resided in two retirement communities: Covenant Place in Gardendale and Brookdale in Hanceville. She made many new friends there, and she and her family are forever grateful for the wonderful memories made and services provided by both facilities.

Irene loved both of her churches; a member for many years at Graysville United Methodist and outreach member of Gardendale’s Mt. Vernon United Methodist. A former member of the Business and Professional Women’s Club, an active member of the Rosie the Riveter Association, the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, and was a member of the first class at the University of Alabama for Municipal Management Training Institute for City Clerks, which began in 1966.

Services will be conducted by Ridout’s Gardendale. Visitation will be held Wednesday morning at 10:00 with funeral at 11:00 am. Her burial will follow at Jefferson Memorial in Trussville.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made the Mission Possible of the Jimmie Hale Mission, www.jimmiehalemission.com

Arrangements under the direction of Ridout's Gardendale Chapel, Gardendale, AL.