Irene Estelle's Obituary
HER STORY...
In the beautiful Appalachian mountains, where the clay is red; a gorgeous baby girl was born to Josephine Miller and Charlie Strickland, on June 16, 1947. During this time frame in Talladega, Alabama segregation and racism was at an all time high. Irene was raised by her grandparents for this reason. Joe and Jennie Duncan raised Irene as their own, along with Irene’s two other sisters. Irene worked closely in the field, kitchen, and barn with her grandparents where she learned many skills. She loved attending Sunday school and church service at Africa Missionary Baptist Church, where she was baptized at the age of 12 under the leadership of Reverend CE Maddis. Irene attended and graduated from Robert Russa Moton High School in 1965. She was employed at the famous Hellen Keller school for the deaf and blind after high school.
Her lifelong friend; Charles Estelle returned to Talladega that fall to ask her hand in marriage and relocate to Albion, Michigan where they were welcomed with open arms by her Aunt Elizabeth and George (June) Estelle. Irene and Charles entered into marital bliss on December 20th 1965. Irene was employed at Yankee store and Albion Public Schools, and a member of MT. Calvary Baptist Church, under Rev. Marion Wheeler. While in Albion, two sons were born; LaMar & Carlus. In 1976 they relocated to Jackson, Michigan and joined Lily Missionary Baptist Church under Rev. George Wade; this leadership led Irene to her employment with John George Hall and Griswold School Adult Education. Irene loved teaching ESL students, and assisting adults with obtaining GEDs, she was more than an educator to them, she would feed, clothe, provide transportation and most of all pray with her students. Irene’s heart's desire was to have a little girl of her own and after seven miscarriages, her miracle baby girl, Erica was born in 1983. Irene cherished her daughter and would dress her like a baby doll, every single day. She shared a bond with her three children that was unlike any other, she loved them with a love that was not condition based, she was always a mother.
Irene became very active and always dedicated her time; to work unto the lord. Under the leadership of Pastor James L Hines & First Lady Elect Sis. Leontyne Hines; Irene was a member of Usher Board #2, Junior Usher Board, Decorating and Kitchen committee, Cup Bearers, Pastor’s Appreciation, First Lady Appreciation, Bible study, Sunday School, and Vacation Bible School. Irene would always encourage family and friends to establish a relationship with Christ, she is responsible for many being baptized.
Irene loved to garden and decorate; but most of all she loved cooking delicious meals to share with anyone who walked in the door. Her fried chicken, collard greens, punch bowl cake and sweet potato pie are some of her best menu items; but she made everything with pure love, and the taste was reflected in every bite. She also loved working on household projects with her son Carlus, they were the real HGTV team.
Irene retired on disability in 1997 due to an unknown illness at the time. She became an avid reader and writer, while sick; she read her bible sun up to sun down, she wrote her thoughts in her daily journal along with many other memoirs. She enjoyed playing board games with the family and loved to laugh. Her favorite thing to do even until death was shopping; she could spend hours and hours in department stores.
She was known for her perfect decorative eye; she loved to decorate for events, especially Pastor’s Anniversary services, she felt that the first family should be treated as royalty and the room should match accordingly. She would purchase outfits for the Pastor's children to ensure they dressed the part as well.
Irene’s creative side permitted her many crafting opportunities, like making African American lapel pins for women empowerment.
Later in life; she found joy in decorating fruit trays that were worthy of Food Network. She would never charge her worth, because she always felt the need and desire to help.
Irene also shared a passion for local and world politics, after her son LaMar joined the Armed Forces. She was up to date on policies and officers; she knew the background and beliefs on whomever was running. She was a supporter of Kamala Harris, wearing a Kamala shirt & blue nails was one of her final requests.
Irene had many adopted children that affectionately called her “Mama Estelle”; as a teacher at Parkside, she created a closet for prayer, personal items, money or food for her students. Young ladies would come to have their edges done, because she was the baby hair queen.
All her life she fought through illness and on June 16, 2022 Irene was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer metastatic to the bone; where she was given a short time frame of life expectancy. She persevered through two and a half years of chemo and radiation. Her fight was like no other, she would grab strength from out of nowhere, we thought; but she would make it known that it was from the Lord. All through her illness she always kept God first, her faith never wavered. She always said if God does not heal me, it's not because he can't; my healing will just be on the other side.
She quoted her favorite scriptures at least twice a day; I Peter 5:7, Philippians 4:13, and Colossians 3:23. We would often find her in her prayer closet, seeking God for one of us.
Her love for God poured out of her with every smile and every hug, her love for people was just the same and she never met a stranger. On Monday, September 30, 2024 at 11:47 a.m. Irene took her last breath in the arms of her baby girl, surrounded by her son’s, husband, and family. Irene is now resting in the arms of the Savior, awaiting her heavenly promotion.
She leaves to cherish so many memories, her husband; Charles Estelle, whom she loved dearly of 57 years and 9 months, her son’s Lamar (Shawanda) Estelle, Carlus (Holly) Estelle, only daughter; Erica Estelle, grandchildren; Darius, Alyssa, Marrah, Keire, Chazz, Cartier, Victoria, Donovan, Kalyn, Jayla, and Savannah. Great grandchildren; Allayah, Gianna, and Andre’. Siblings; Ann Miller, Betty Smith, Florine (Henry) Gulley, Mary Lois (Willie) Coney, Albert Headen, Latangela Jones, and Regina Reese. Her very best friends, truly sisters; Mary Sanders, Denise Davis, Beverly Carpenter, Sugar Johnson, Doris Smith and Susie Jackson. God daughter’s; Benita Jewell & Leslie Spicer. Adopted children and grandchildren; Chala Lott, Wilford Payne, Vincent Hightower, Nacoya Weatherspoon, Kamara Roney, Eric Baldwin, Melissa Holman, Mia Johnson, Kaelyn Lott & Anthony Parker III, Andria & Denim Fowler, Kcortni Harris, Tiffany Cain, Tiffany Dolley, Joseph Hines, Alyse Hines and a 45 year membership of Lily Missionary Baptist Church.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents; brothers, John T and Milton Headen, granddaughter; Serenity, friends; Louis Rochester, Carol Mallett, Chonita Harrell and Tonya Backinger. “The works she’s done, have spoken for her.”
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