![](https://i0.wp.com/jocoreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Brown-Irene-obit-photo.jpg?resize=202%2C295&ssl=1)
Birth Date: 05/30/1940
Deceased Date: 07/25/2022
Irene Barnes Brown, age 82, went to her heavenly home peacefully on Monday morning, July 25, 2022 surrounded by her family. Born May 30, 1940 in Wilson County she was the daughter of the late Roland Elwood and Eula Pittman Barnes.
A 1958 graduate of Selma High School, Irene’s work career included a variety of occupations, however her primary focus always remained caring for her family. Irene was a true born-again Christian and member of Branch Chapel Free Will Baptist Church for more than 26 years. She served in numerous capacities, which included teaching Sunday school, singing in the choir, and arranging flowers for the church. She was a great example of loving like Jesus does and fearless when it came to telling everyone about her Savior. She had a passion to pray and helping others in need. Her family was a huge priority in her life. She loved shopping for treasures, Duke basketball, shoes, flowers and always had a since of style.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 30, 2022, at the Branch Chapel Church with the Rev. Eric Narron officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Saturday just prior to the service.
She was preceded in death by a brother, W.C. Barnes, three grandchildren, Laura Bailey, Samuel Bailey and Rachel Bailey and a great granddaughter, Jordan Southers. Surviving are her husband of 63 years, Wayne Brown; son, Randall Brown and his wife Laura of Selma; daughters, Andrea Southers and her husband Steve of Benson and Dolores Bailey and her husband James of Selma; brothers, Eugene Barnes and wife Ann of Selma, Charles Barnes and wife Sandra of Garner, Glenn Barnes and wife Barbara of Goldsboro; sisters, Jenny Evans of Wilson, Becky Keene and husband Billy of Clayton, Carolyn Clark of Willow Springs and Mary Keith Bill and husband Larry of Rosewood; nine grandchildren, Charles Brown, Stephanie Brown, Amanda Erwin, John Seifert and wife Jessica, Stephen Southers and wife Samantha, Jessica Creech and husband Jordan, Evan Bailey, Amanda French and Amber Lindamood; twenty great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Janie, Rosa Marie, Nevaeh, Cloey, Isis, Zaiden, Vincent, Elijah, Jonathan, Dakota, Hailey, Makayla, Lucas, Travis, Lainey Kate, J.J., Roland and Cameron.
Flowers were one of Irene’s favorites, however if you would like you can send a contribution in lieu of flowers to assist the family with funeral expenses.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.parrishfh.com.