Irene Elizabeth Wilkerson

Irene Elizabeth Wilkerson, 70, of Morganton, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Tuesday, January 10, 2012. Born August 7, 1941, in McDowell County, she was a daughter of the late Gilbert O’Neil and survived by Virginia “Mama T” Hardy, of Nebo. In addition to her parents, she was a faithful member of the St. John’s A.M.E. Church, Nebo, where she served in the Choir and the Steward Board. She also served as Program Coordinator at the Living Stones CHCOG, Marion.

Along with her father, she was preceded in death by a son, Keith Rutherford, a grandson, Gerron Conley, and two brothers, Ralph & Tommy Hardy.

In addition to her mother she leaves behind to cherish her memory her former husband, Arell Rutherford, Sr., of Shelby;

two sons, Arell Rutherford, Jr. and wife, Elizabeth, and Curtis Rutherford, all of Morganton;

four daughters, Donna Hale, of Franklin, PA, Angela Stevenson, of Alexandria, VA, Sherry Wilkerson and husband, Earl, of Nebo and Alisa Rutherford, of Morganton;

two brothers, Billy Hardy, of Nebo and Tony Hardy, of SC;

three sisters, Dorothy Carson, of Nebo, Nora Hardy, of Upper Marlboro, MD and Linda Rutherford, of Nebo; a special friend, Ruthie Tate, of Morganton;

20 grandchildren, including two special grandchildren, Joseph & Shidavia, 21 great grandchildren, also surviving are numerous other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held 3:00 PM on Friday, January 13, 2012, in the Chapel of Kirksey Funeral Home, Morganton, with Rev. Debora Smith and Mr. Romey Patterson officiating. Interment will follow in the St. John’s A.M.E. Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the Services at Kirksey Funeral Home, Morganton.

Kirksey Funeral Home of Morganton has the honor of serving the family.