Irene was born in Cleveland County, North Carolina. At the age of 5, she left home to attend the North Carolina School for the Blind where she graduated in 1950. She worked with the Industries of the Blind in Greensboro, North Carolina until 1965. She was an avid reader of Audio Books and loved to crochet. She crocheted hundreds of newborn baby outfits for family and friends, caps for newborn babies in hospitals and hats and blankets for cancer and home bound/rehab patients.
Preceded in death by her husband, William Howard Mizell; Mother, Beuna Martin; Father, Richard Bennett Martin; brother, James Martin; sisters, Ruth Scism, Mildred Martin, Inez Whitaker, Dorothy McDonald, Shirley McKee, Mabel Conder, and Joanne Bridges, and best friend; Phyllis Price.
Survived by her sons, Gary Betts. Sr. (Dawn) and Dennis Betts; daughters, Rhonda Fields and Wendie Lewis (Kenny). She has eight grandchildren; Timothy Betts, Farrah Steinberg (Jack), Gary Betts, Jr. (Pete), Justin Hardy, Daniel Brewer (Holly), Michael Lewis (Teresa), Rachel Betts and Bryan Betts; nine great- grandchildren, Cheyenne Betts, CJ Betts, Ruthie Steinberg, Jack Steinberg, Emma Hardy, Hayden Hardy, Victoria Betts, Mason Lewis, and Brandon Lewis.
Funeral services will be 2:00 pm on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at Hanes-Lineberry Sedgefield Chapel, 6000 West Gate City Blvd., Greensboro, NC 27407. Burial will follow in Guilford Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends and loved ones from 12:30 pm until service time at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfhsedgefield.com
