Irene Lawson

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Irene Durbin Lawson, 92, of Advance passed away Oct. 3, 2011, at Southeast Hospital.

She was born Dec. 5, 1918, at New Madrid, Mo.; daughter of James C. and Alice Rose Vaughn Durbin. She and Homer Lawson were united in marriage Sept. 24, 1936, at Fredericktown, Mo., and he passed away Nov. 13, 1988.

She worked for Don Biggs and Co. in St. Louis for 25 years as a secretary and carpenter; worked for Advance Elementary School; taught Sunday school at Advance Nursing Center for seven years; was a member of Zalma, Mo., General Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school for a number of years; and, in 1976, was Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 509 in Zalma.

Survivors include a brother, James H. Durbin of St. Peters, Mo.; sister, Wanda Darr of St. Louis; grandson, Charles Homer Lawson Jr. of Holts Summit, Mo.; granddaughter, Wanda Marie Djerf of Dallas; and four great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death was her parents; son, Charles Lawson; three brothers; five sisters; and one great-granddaughter.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Liley Funeral Home in Marble Hill, Mo., with an Eastern Star service at 7.

Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Keith Price officiating. Burial will follow in the Bollinger County Memorial Park Cemetery near Marble Hill.