Iris Cord

Iris S. Cord, 88, of Fruitland passed away Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Feb. 6, 1922, in Greenville, Mo., daughter of James R. and Vesta P. Howard Guess.

Iris attended elementary and high school in Piedmont, Mo., where she graduated in 1942. She and Robert A. Cord were married July 6, 1946, in St. Louis.

This marriage began a much-traveled career as a military spouse. They traveled and lived in Fairbanks, Alaska; Sacramento, Merced and Riverside, Calif.; San Antonio and El Paso, Texas; Madrid; Belleville and Paxton, Ill.; Louisiana; Mississippi; Florida; Nebraska; and Missouri.

Although each relocation presented hardships, she accepted them as part of the life of a military spouse and always maintained an upbeat attitude and personality while accomplishing the tasks associated with starting life anew in an unfamiliar location. She was a devoted wife and mother. Iris was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church of Piedmont.

Loving survivors include her husband of 64 years; two sons, Robert M. Cord Sr. and Robert M. Cord Jr. of Fruitland; and a brother, Willard Guess of Piedmont.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Arthur Guess, and two sisters, June Guess and Ruth Copeland.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral and interment will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield. The Rev. Daniel Hale will officiate.

Memorials may be made to the Lutheran Home.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.