Irene Francis Carroll

Irene Francis Carroll also known as “Little Woman”, “Anie”, “Ms. I”, “Ms. Irene”, “Momma Irene”, “Ain’t Irene” or just mom, was born in Mangum, Oklahoma on September 21, 1940 to the late Johnnie Jones Sr. and Gladys Marie Jones. She was the fifth of seven children. BUT…one would have thought she was the baby because she was spoiled! She is preceded in death by her brothers: Charles, Lorell, and James Jones.

Irene grew up in Clinton, Oklahoma where she met and married Outher Melvin Carroll on December 2, 1965. They eventually relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico where their first child, Randy, was adopted in 1971. Their family was complete with the adoption of Yolanda in 1972. In 1984, the Carroll family moved to Hesperia, CA.

Irene was a wife and a mother who lived for her family. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, bowling, and shopping. Her life with Melvin ended with his death on April 29, 2010.

Irene was a ray of sunshine and quite the “unintentional” comedian who never minced her words. She could always find something funny to say about a situation or someone and always had a comeback.

Irene departed this life early Saturday morning at 3:43 a.m., September 1, 2018 with Randy, Yolanda, son-in-law Michael, and niece/caregiver Y’vonne by her side. Left to mourn her loss are grandson Randy Montagna, Jr. of Germany, sister Wynona Booker, brother Johnnie Jones, Jr., niece Deanne and nephew Chris of New Mexico, and niece Tammie (Arizona) along with a host of great nieces and nephews. Cherishing her memory, is her longtime friend Sharon Barras (Victorville) who spoke on the phone with Irene, nearly every day, since 1984.