Willie Lee Ashworth Ireland

Farrar Funeral Homes Corporation 411 W. Broadway Blvd. Jefferson City, TN 37760 Phone (865) 475-3892 Fax (865) 475-9916 OBITUARY: WILLIE LEE ASHWORTH IRELAND was born March 3, 1909, in Sandusky, Alabama to William Lorenzo and Georgia Lee Ashworth- the first-born child. She died Saturday, November 13, 2004 at Jefferson City, Tennessee. Willie Lee attended Sandusky Elementary School and Howard High School. Willie Lee Ashworth was married to James Floyd Ireland on December 5, 1926. The Lord blessed this young couple with five wonderful children; Ralph Larry, Jere Ray, Dennis Linier (Dan), Gloria June and Myra Gail. Willie Lee and her family were always very active in the local church. Willie Lee accepted Christ and was baptized in Sandusky Baptist Church. She raised her family in Pratt City Baptist Church and Pike Avenue Baptist Church. After her son, Dan, became pastor of Dolomite Baptist Church, Willie and Floyd became active members there. Later they moved to Center Point and became active members of First Baptist Church of Center Point and later, Hilldale Baptist Church. In later years, after retiring, they moved to Shelby County and became members of Four Mile Baptist Church, and later, First Baptist Church of Columbiana. In 1982, Willie Lee and Floyd moved to Hoover and joined Green Valley Baptist Church. In 1991, with Floyd?s health failing, they moved to Jefferson City, Tennessee , to live near their youngest daughter, Gail O?Quinn. There they became members of First Baptist Church of Jefferson City. Willie Lee has been active in all of these churches, teaching Sunday School, serving in Women?s Missionary Union in various capacities, leading Youth Organizations, singing in the choir, working in Mother?s Day Out, serving as hostess and working in many other areas. Willie Lee always loved her church and her pastors and her many friends, as well as her family. She was a charter member of WCTU (Women?s Christian Temperance Union) and a charter member of West End and Highland Hospital Auxiliary. She served as president of both of these organizations. Willie Lee was preceded in death by her loving husband of almost 67 years, James Floyd Ireland; her sons, Jere Ray and Ralph Larry; her parents, W. L. and Georgia Lee Ashworth; her sister, Joyce; her brothers, Willis (Buddy), James Jefferson (Jim), Garlin Allen (Monk), Maxwell Griffin (killed in the Normandy Beach landing during World War II); one grandchild, June Carol Storey; one great grandchild, Brian Ireland. She is survived by a son, Dan (Polly) Ireland; two daughters, June (Howard) Storey and Gail (Jimmy) O?Quinn; five grandsons, three granddaughters, seven great grandsons, seven great- granddaughters; one great-great grandson; four great-great granddaughters, and a host of relatives and friends. She will be greatly missed. Funeral service will be held at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 16, 2004 at the First Baptist Church of Jefferson City with Dr. Dan Ireland, Dr. Ray Lloyd, Rev. Jim Dampier, Dr. William Purdue and Dr. Gene Wilder officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church. On Wednesday, November 17, 2004 the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Johns-Rideout Funeral Home in Birmingham, Alabama. Service will be at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, November 18, 2004 at the funeral home with burial to follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to ALCAP (Alabama Citizens Action Program), 2376 Lakeside Drive, Birmingham, AL 35244, or LesAmies of Carson Newman College, 1646 Russell Avenue, Jefferson City, TN 37760, or to the church of your choice. Arrangements by Farrar Funeral Home in Jefferson City, TN 37760 (865) 475-3892 www.farrarfuneralhome.com