Irene Henry

Irene Henry, 93, peacefully passed away in Dumas, Ark., on November 9, 2020. She was the eleventh of twelve children, born July 7, 1927, in Centerville, Ark., to Verna McKinzie Eidson and Roy Eidson. She was educated in Dardnell Schools and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from "Arkansas Teachers College" (UCA) and moved to Dumas to teach first grade. She met Ellis Robert (ER) Henry, Jr. They married January 31, 1954, and she became a homemaker and supportive farmer's wife in their successful farming operation for over 46 years. Irene was very active in the First United Methodists Church, serving on numerous committees, teaching children's Sunday School classes. She was an active member of Circle V and Irene was a member of the Suzanna Wesley Sunday School Class. She served as leader of Brownie Troop 28 and lead the troop through Girl Scouts and was a Helping Hand volunteer. She played bridge with a special group of ladies (the Thursday Club) twice a month for more than forty years. Irene served many, many hours at Delta Memorial Hospital as volunteer Auxiliary Member and she was an American Red Cross Blood Services volunteer. She and Mr. David Walt were known as Mr. and Mrs. Santa to many, visiting elementary students and the Jodie Partridge Center at Christmas time. She received the Delores E. Peterson Award, Woman of the Year by the Dumas Chamber of Commerce in 1999. Irene was a talented artist and an excellent seamstress. She was a selfless person, always considering others wants and needs. She and ER were married 64 years, until his death in 2018. She is survived by her daughter, Lisa Branson and husband, Ricky of Dumas, and grandchildren, Ryan Branson of Little Rock and Karrie Nuckols, husband, Joseph and her great-grandchildren, Sawyer, Tallulah and Ivy of Fayetteville. Irene has many beloved nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, E.R Henry Jr, their son, Joe Sterling Henry, her parents and all eleven of her siblings. The family would also like to recognize four longtime, loving dedicated care providers: Helen Holley, Josie Willis, Della Randolph, and Annett Thomas. These ladies have all gone above and beyond to take excellent care of Irene and for their service, we thank them. We want to thank all her caregivers and the staff of the Oasis of Dumas for their kind care. Graveside services will be held at Walnut Lake Cemetery, at 11 a.m., November 11, 2020, with Dr Tandy Hanson officiating. The family request memorials be made to First United Methodist Church of Dumas, the Jodie Partridge Center, or the Delta Memorial Hospital Building fund. Arrangements are by Griffin Funeral Home, Dumas, Ark., please sign online guest book www.griffinfh.com