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Jewell Irene Young, 95

Jewell Irene (Beach) Young was born at Souder, Mo., on Aug. 6, 1916, to Frank Beach and Parlee (Ratliff) Beach. After graduating from Gainesville High School in 1934, she lived in California for several years until her mother became ill. At that time she returned to the family farm to help care for her. Realizing how much she had missed Ozark County, she stayed here after her mother’s death and took up farming as a career.

In 1986 she married Clyde Young, sold her farm, and moved to Gainesville, Mo., where she lived until her death on March 2, 2012, at the age of 95.

Irene loved to work in her flower beds and crochet. She was still making hats and scarves up until a week ago. She liked to travel, enjoyed cooking and loved shopping.

She loved children and all animals, especially birds. She always had a story about the ‘good old days’ and was quick witted and friendly. Irene was a Christian and a member of the Gainesville Church of Christ.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and two brothers, Denton and Roscoe, She is survived by Roscoe’s wife, Shirley Beach of Vancouver, Wash., a step-son, Jim Young and wife Karen, of Clinton, Mo., several nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Although Irene had no children, she adopted the family across the road. Steve and June Hicks were considered “her children”, thus their children, Trevor and Jordan, were considered her grandchildren. For more than 20 years, they called her Grandma Irene, and never celebrated a birthday or a holiday without her being present. In addition, June and Steve’s families and friends became her extended family. Many times she stated that she planned to live long enough to see both Trevor and Jordan graduate from high school, and she accomplished that goal and then some.

Funeral services for Irene were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 6, in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home Chapel, Gainesville, Mo., with Halbert Smith and E.J. Hampton officiating. Burial was in the Souder Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Souder Cemetery or Fair Haven Children’s Home.

Online condolences may be made at www.clinkingbeardfuneral home.com.