Irene (Jones) Lampley

Irene (Jones) Lampley was born September 24, 1939 in New Madrid County, Missouri to Della and Curtis Jones. Irene was the first of twelve siblings, seven sisters and five brothers. Her parents, three brothers (Sam, Curtis, Ivory), and one sister (Viola) all preceded her in death. She gave her life to Christ early and was a member and attendee at the Church of Christ.

Irene was a sweet, selfless person, always concerned with the well-being of others. She helped and gave with her beautiful smile. You could never leave her home without something in hand. Throughout her life, she helped others no matter her own circumstances. Her natural way and easy laugh put people at ease to share their dreams and troubles. She listened quietly, then with keen intuition would give a gentle word to bring comfort or correction.

Irene also loved children and taking care of them. From an early age, she helped to raise her siblings and other younger relatives. As an adult, she worked in caregiving and customer service. Later, she would start and run her own home childcare business until she eventually retired.

She met Ervin Lampley while living in Saint Louis, MO. He was her taxi driver one day on her way to work. They lost touch with Ervin moving to Chicago and Irene to New York City, but after eventually reuniting, they married in 1972 in Chicago, IL and remained together until Ervin’s death in 2008.

Irene departed this life on Friday, December 13, 2019 at DePaul Hospital in St Louis, Missouri at 5:27pm. Her oldest daughter, Regina Jones, preceded her in death in 2017. She leaves to cherish her memory: two children, daughter Ervine (Henry) Fox and son Isaac Lampley; five sisters: Sally (Kendrick) Carew, Dorothy (Norberto) Perez, Lillie White, Selma (Leon) Lopez, Della (Greg) Carroway; two brothers: Benny Jones and Charles Jones; eight grandchildren, including Charvita Hayles, Marlon Hayles, and Emari Rodgers; one great-grandchild: Gianna Hayles, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.