Irene Grindstaff

Ethel Irene Grindstaff, 91, of Whitewater passed away Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Aug. 26, 1921, in the Millersville area, to Steve and Meta Peters Sawyer. She and Dale Grindstaff were married April 12, 1939. They had been married 57 years when he passed away June 14, 1996.

Irene worked nearly 20 years at the former Florsheim Shoe Co. in Chaffee, Mo., retiring in 1979. She was a member of Lutesville General Baptist Church, but attended Barks Chapel Church.

She was faithful to her Lord her entire adult life, teaching Sunday school, serving as church treasurer, and helping with Christmas programs and Rally Day skits. She loved southern gospel music and formerly sang many years with the Lutesville Quartet.

Loving survivors include two daughters, Shelba Jean (the late William) Lincoln and Lois Elaine (Bob) Myers of the Whitewater area; a brother, Lloyd (Moonyean) Sawyer of Linn Creek, Mo.; a sister, Lorene (Donald) Talley of Cape Girardeau; two grandsons, Bill (Sandy) Lincoln of Leopold, Mo., Ron (Wendy) Lincoln of Gordonville; two great-grandsons, Will and Dale Lincoln; many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert and Truman Sawyer; and a grandson, Rob Myers.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Revs. David Kempfer and Sheldon Owen officiating. Interment will be in Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Barks Chapel Church.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.