Ardys Irwin

Ardys Jeanette Irwin, daughter of Viola Souders and Arland Smalley, was born in 1931 in New Virginia and died Friday, March 16, 2018, in Mexia, Texas, with family by her side at 86 years of age.

She grew up in New Virginia and graduated from New Virginia High School. She married Robert Irwin on July 8, 1949, in New Virginia. Four children were blessed to this union: Mike, Bill, Betty Jo and Pat.

Ardys worked as a homemaker the first part of their marriage, then went to work for Preferred Risk Insurance Company, working her way up to supervisory positions before retiring. She then continued on her journey of doing for others through her quilting, knitting, crocheting, sewing and volunteer work. She was heavily involved with many charitable organizations both in Iowa and Texas. Ardys had a great love for her family, and showed it through all the handmade items she made for them. She enjoyed all the time spent with her family and attending her grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s activities. She enjoyed traveling very much and always had her bags packed ready to go.

Ardys lived most of her life in New Virginia before moving to Mexia, Texas, in 2003.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church in New Virginia and actively involved with First United Methodist Church in Mexia, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Arland and Viola; husband Robert; son Bill; grandson Samuel David Irwin; brother Bud Smalley and sister-in-law Marge Smalley.

She is survived by two sons, Michael and Cindy Irwin of Yukon, Oklahoma, and Pat and Michele Irwin, of Mexia, Texas; daughter Betty Jo and Roger Garner of New Virginia; daughter-in-law Marci Irwin of Butler, Missouri; grandchildren, Carrie Zellmer of Kansas City, Missouri, Manuel and Amanda Irwin of Albuquerque, New Mexico, John and Ashli Irwin of Big Spring, Texas, Thomas and Courtney Irwin of Fountain, Colorado, Jamie and Jon Gelner of Osceola, Julie and Edmond Throckmorton of Monona, Wisconsin, and Amanda Kirk of St. Charles; 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; sister Ilene and Morris Porter of Pleasanton, Texas; other relatives and a host of friends.

Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, March 22, at First United Methodist Church in New Virginia with the family greeting friends one hour prior to services. Interment of the cremains will be in New Virginia Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to her family for a fitting tribute to be decided at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home of Mexia, Texas, and Kale Funeral Homes of Osceola and Truro.