Irene Deming

Published 12:00 am Saturday, October 20, 2007

“Well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Master.” Matthew 25:21

ZACHARY, La. — Services for Irene McGee Deming, 95, of Zachary, who died Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, in Zachary, were 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 19, 2007, at Charlet Funeral Home with the Rev. Ron Lowery, of Galilee Baptist Church, officiating.

Burial followed at Green Oaks Memorial Garden, in Baton Rouge, under the direction of Charlet Funeral Home in Zachary.

Mrs. Deming was born in 1911, in Mississippi, and a resident of Zachary. She was better known as Mrs. Irene to her church family and friends, but preferred Mrs. Henry Deming. She was “Gramma” to her family. She was an active member for 54 years at North Highlands Baptist Church in Baton Rouge. In 1989, she became a member of Galilee Baptist Church. She was an avid promoter of the Women’s Missions Union as well as a constant member of the choir; her face beaming while singing to her Lord.

Mrs. Irene could always be counted on for greeting all with a bright cheerful smile and a hug. She loved nothing more than baking a cake and delivering it to the sick or someone that needed a special “pick me up.” Hundreds of cakes passed through her loving hands. She could always be counted on for a delicious carrot cake for church socials as well as a word of encouragement.

Quilting was Mrs. Irene’s passion, something passed on by her mother. She spent many enjoyable hours hand piecing and quilting many colorful quilts, every stitch with anticipation of the excitement from the recipient of her labor of love. When she could no longer hand piece, her fingers nimbly quilted the intricate patterns.

Her bright eyes and sweet smile will live on in our hearts. Most of all, we take comfort in knowing that she has been reunited with Papa, whom she missed so terribly. Now both of them are free from infirmities.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Henry Clyde “Papa” Deming; her parents, Joseph Benjamin McGee and Blossie Griffith McGee; infant daughter, Sarah Alden Deming; sister, Hettie Maude Teague; and brothers, James and John McGee.

Survivors include her daughters, Linda Deming Hall and husband, Murray, both of Zachary, Patricia Deming Longmire and husband, Robert W., both of Natchez and Wilma Deming Hodges of Denham Springs, La.; brothers, J.P. McGee and Robert McGee; seven grandchildren, Susan Hall Harrison, Jennifer Longmire Wilson, Kara Longmire Sanders, Laura Hill Elliott, Rebecca Longmire, Todd Hodges and Elizabeth Hodges; and 13 great-grandchildren, Heather Harrison, Jackson Elliott, Kathryn Elliott, Lauren Elliott, Camden Wilson, Lauren Wilson, Erin Sanders, Kyla Sanders, Clay Sanders, Leah Sanders, Robert Harrick, Anna Harrick and James Harrick.

Memorial donations may be made to Galilee Baptist Church Building Fund, Galilee Baptist Church, 11050 Greenwell Springs-Port Hudson, Zachary, LA 70791-8865; phone 225-654-5633. Share sympathies, condolences and memories at www.charletfuneralhome.com.