Betty Irby

Funeral services for teacher and educator Betty Jean Warren Irby will be held at the Louisiana Memorial United Methodist Church, 515 E. Bellevue Street, Opelousas on Friday, November 10th, 2006 at 11AM. The Rev. Dale Hensarling will conduct the service. Visitation will be at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 211 Murrell Street, Minden. Graveside service will follow at Rose-NeathGardner Memorial Cemetery Minden, Louisiana. Rev. Joe Hunter will conduct the graveside service. Mrs. Irby, 78, a long time resident of Opelousas, Louisiana, died Tuesday morning November 7th, 2006. She was well known throughout the community for her work as a physical education teacher at Opelousas Junior High School, girls basketball coach, member of Delta Kappa Gamma, supporter of Opelousas Little Theatre and community activist. She is an alumna of the University of Texas at Austin and L.S.U. and a member of the Louisiana Memorial United Methodist Church of Opelousas.

Mrs. Irby was always an educator. She worked with kids at Hunters Playground in Minden, Louisiana while very young, and attended the University of Texas at Austin at the age of 16. After graduation, she taught physical education in Aransas Pass, Texas at Texas High School and at Magnolia High School in Arkansas. She was the Physical Education teacher at Opelousas Junior High School for over 30 years, and retired in 1994 from St. Landry Parish Public Schools. In an era where women married young and did not work outside the home, Mrs. Irby defied stereotypes, married late, had five children, taught school and earned her Masters degree in education.

She believed in teaching children skills they could use for the rest of their lives and loved to see former students as successful adults. Books and reading were her greatest love, second only to the activities and interests of her children and grandchildren. She loved to travel and took every opportunity to visit family and friends wherever they were located. She prized creativity and innovation and was a part of many parades, theatrical events and community activities. As a young woman, Mrs. Irby had been a talented athlete, and carried that athletic ability through her life learning to windsurf at 50 She truly believed that age was not a barrier to goals and ambition in life.

Her role as a mother gave her great joy. Her children, and their friends, were supported and encouraged to pursue their dreams and develop their in
iduality. She always had time for thoughtful discussion and a willingness to help solve a problem or just listen. Her talent for quiet observation and thoughtful solutions will be missed by all who had the privilege to talk with her. Her quiet strength and tenacity during this difficult time was an inspiration to all.

She is survived by her husband Charles Charlie Linwood Irby, siblings Sibyl Melton Minden, LA, Bobby Warren Minden, LA, Norma Guthrie Minden, LA and Lila Mae Hinze Minden, LA; five children Roger Dale Irby, Tamme Irby Flood, Charles Irby, Joel Irby and Elizabeth Liz Irby Barnes. She has been blessed with 10 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Family members serving in the military include Patrick IrbyMarines, Joel Irby Jr. Army, Cody Lanclos Navy. Her parents were Vera Rushton Warren and Burell Talmadge Warren of Minden, Louisiana.

Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Home in Opelousas, 337.942.2638, is in charge of the arrangements.

The family requests that donations be sent to the Opelousas Public Library, P.O. Box 249, Opelousas, La 70571, Opelousas Little Theater, P.O. Box 742, Opelousas La 70571 or other charities of your choice in Betty Warren Irbys name.

Visitation, day and time pending at Lafond Ardoin Funeral Home on Sunset Highway in Opelousas
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Visitation

Lafond Ardoin Funeral Home
2845 S. Union Street
Opelousas, LA  70570
Thursday, November 9, 2006
5PM till time of service

Service

Church

La. Memorial United Methodist Church
515 E. Bellevue Street
Opelousas, LA  70570
Friday, November 10, 2006
11:00AM

Cemetery

RoseNeath Gardner Memorial
211 Murrell Street
Minden, LA  71055

Memorial Contributions

Opelousas Public Library
P.O. Box 249
Opelousas, LA  70570

Opelousas Little Theater
P.O. Box 742
Opelousas, LA  70570