Irene Janes, 86, died May 24, 2007, at Columbia Manor Care Center in Columbia, Mo.

Irene was born September 3, 1920, in Lafe, Ark., to James M. and Cleora Hill Arnold. She married Ernest Janes on April 27, 1941. For a good part of their married life, they lived and farmed near Pollard.

At the time of her death, she was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Piggott. Some of the families' fondest memories are when Irene sang for several years in a quartet at Walnut Hill General Baptist Church. Until her death, she could still remember and sing most verses of the old hymns.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ernest; four children: Phyllis Irene, Phillip Ernest, Eric Darwin, and Melba Jean Cummins; one grandson, Jonson Lee Janes; one brother, Elihu Arnold; and a sister, Lura Mabrey.

Irene is survived by three daughters: Karen and husband Charley Blackmore of Columbia, Mo., Willie Jo and husband Jim Metz of Madison, Miss., and Marie Wong of Campbell, Calif.; and two daughters-in-law: Michelle Janes of Belleville, Ill., and Linda Thompson of Paducah, Ky. Also surviving is her brother, Lavern Arnold; three sisters: Lorrell Patterson, Areva Elliott, and Ludeen Baker; fourteen grandchildren; Marla Wong, Richard Wong, Jeffrey Wong, Tamara Wong, Michael Cummins, Patrick Cummins, Scarlett Daugherty, Jason Janes, Robert Stalker, Candy Williams, Sam Williams, Jr., Travis Williams, Melissa Janes, and Sarah Griffin; twenty-two great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Funeral services were held Monday, May 28, following visitation in the Hoggard & Sons Chapel with Rev. Gary Hancock officiating. Burial is in New Hope Cemetery in Pollard. Pallbearers will be Sam Williams Jr., Travis Williams, Jason Janes, Robert Stalker, McCaine Daugherty and Dalton Daugherty. Hoggard & Sons Funeral Home of Piggott will be in charge of the arrangements.

At the time of her death, she was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church. Some of the family's fondest memories are when Irene sang for several years in a quartet at Walnut Hill General Baptist church with Doug Batey, Louis Janes, Wortham Hoggard and pianist, Betty Ann Watson. Until her death, she could still remember and sing most verses of the old hymns. She loved gardening, quilting and was extremely loving and patient with her children and grandchildren.