Grace Irby, 85

Grace Irby, 85 years, 10 months, and 29 days old, passed to heaven on March 2, 2012 at Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare.

Grace was born April 3, 1926 in Bertha, Mo., to Isam and Nancy (Thompson) Hicks.

Grace was employed by H.D. Lee as a seamstress, was a babysitter and a homemaker.  In 1955   Grace and Raymond “Ross” Irby were joined together.

She enjoyed taking care of her family, cooking and sewing for them when she could. Keeping  her grandchildren and caring for children was her greatest joy.

Grace was preceded by her parents, Isam and Nancy Hicks (Thompson); a daughter, Janice, a son, Richard; and a grandchild, Kendall Clouse; four brothers, Elmer Hicks, Lloyd Hicks, Noble Hicks, Lyle Hicks; and two sisters, Mildred Davault and Ruby Davis.

Grace is survived by her husband, Ross Irby, Ava, Mo.; three sons and five daughters, Patsy Engelhardt and husband Larry, of Minnesota, Fred Hicks and wife Chris, Squires, Mo., Carolyn Hutchison and husband Darrel, Ava, Mo., Gary Hicks, Squires, Mo., Raymond Irby and wife Leslie, Ava, Mo., Yvonne Willis and husband Steve, Fordland, Mo., Debbie Clouse and husband Kenny, Mansfield, Mo., and Brenda Liniger and husband, Jim, Ava, Mo.; 21 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Ruth Hurt, Kansas City, Kan.

Funeral services for Grace were Monday, March 5, at 1 p.m. in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with burial in the Girdner Cemetery. Visitation was Sunday, March 4, from 5 to 6 p.m. in the funeral home. Officiating was Pastor Larry Scott.  Memorials may be made to the family at the funeral home.

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