Iris Verlin Wade Dillard

Farrar Funeral Homes Corporation 411 W. Broadway Blvd. Jefferson City, TN 37760 Phone (865) 475-3892 Fax (865) 475-9916 OBITUARY: IRIS VERLIN WADE DILLARD, age 68, of Strawberry Plains, TN, earthly body gave in to ovarian cancer on September 24, 2006 at St. Mary?s Medical Center. Cancer can consume an earthly body, but cannot touch a Christian?s soul. Iris fought until the end, and with her last breath on earth, Jesus welcomed her into his loving arms. In heaven she praises Jesus Christ in her new body without spot or blemish, and waits on her devoted husband of nearly 50 years, James Andrew Dillard. Iris was loved by her family, church and community. She was a caterer for many years, specializing in decorating cakes for Wade?s Bakery. She and James also owned a market in Strawberry Plains for a number of years, where they catered for parties and family gatherings. In 1994, after a battle with acute leukemia, Iris began crocheting hats for chemotherapy patients. This was one of her ministries, and she continued to crochet the hats until a few months before her death. Iris stayed the course and fought heroically, but as a Christian, the battle is never ?lost?, because to be ?absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.? Iris lived in this manner. She was a bright beacon of Christianity, and touched all who knew her. God gave us Iris on September 24, 1938 and took her home on September 24, 2006. Preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Manie Wade; brother, James Wade and sister, Erma Hickman. She is greatly missed by her daughter and son-in-law, Verlyn and Mike Cannon and their son, Ethan of Strawberry Plains; her son and daughter-in-law, John and Patty and their children, Shawn and Kelsey of Strawberry Plains. Iris?s hope was to watch her grandchildren grow up. She is also survived by sisters, Martha Greene of Knoxville and Mary Nell Crump of Knoxville; several nieces and nephews. Those who were able to know Iris Dillard know the terrible loss we on earth must endure, but our hope is in eternal life by faith in Jesus Christ. Funeral service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at First Baptist Church of Strawberry Plains with Reverend Mike Boatfield officiating. Interment to follow at Eastview Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. prior to the funeral service at First Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Ovarian Cancer Research, c/o Sheridia Daniels, Johns Hopkins University, 1550 Orleans St., CRB 2, Room 348, Baltimore, MD 21231. WE LOVE YOU, MOM!!! Arrangements by Farrar Funeral Home in Jefferson City, TN 37760 (865) 475-3892 www.farrarfuneralhome.com