Born in Douglas County Irene Giffin, daughter of John W. and Lucy Lee Anna Tate Huffman, was born Aug. 14, 1912 in Douglas County. She departed this life Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007 in Rocky Ridge Manor, Mansfield, at the age of 95 years, one month
and 23 days.
In 1929, Irene was united in marriage to Elmer J. Giffin and to this union five sons and four daughters were born.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Elmer in 1987; two sons, Noel and Wayne Giffin; three daughters, Anna Jo Graves, Sharon Davis and an infant daughter; one grandson, Dennis; a great-granddaughter, Stephanie; a great-grandson, Michael; as well as two brothers and five sisters.
She is survived by three sons, Ellis Giffin and his wife, Dorothy, of Jenks, Okla., Norman Giffin and his wife Lela, of Seymour, and Marvin Giffin and his wife, Bunida of Mansfield; one daughter, Beverly Freeman and her husband, Calvin, of Neosho; 12 grandchildren and numerous great-and great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Jackie Dill, of Hannaford, Calif.; along with many nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
She was born in Douglas County and lived there until moving to California in 1940. In 1949, Irene moved back to Douglas County and then to Mansfield in the 1950s where she remained until her passing. She was an employee at the Tobin Hamilton Shoe Factory where she worked for 16 years before retiring.
Irene was of the Pentecostal faith.
In her spare time, Irene enjoyed working in her vegetable garden and tending to her beautiful flowers. She loved to share her fresh and canned vegetables with her friends and family, and enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren, whom she loved very much.
Irene was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister and aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today (Thursday) at Holman-Howe Chapel, Mansfield, with the Rev. Mark Terrill officiating. Burial will be in Dyer Cemetery in Douglas County.
