Irene Dillard

Irene Dillard, 88 of Brinkley, passed away on Thursday, morning, January 11, 2024 at the Springs of Brinkley Nursing Center.

Irene was born February 24, 1935 in Brinkley, Arkansas to Samuel Dillard Sr. and Mittie Cade-Dillard. She was one of seven children born to this union.

Irene was a lifelong member of Mount Olive Ministries (formerly Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church) in Brinkley. She enjoyed attending church.

While growing up in Brinkley Irene received her formal education from the Brinkley Public School System.

For more than 30 plus years, Irene worked as a Domestic for the Etheridge Family of Brinkley before retiring.

Her daughters: Mary and Delois Dillard; Parents: Mittie Cade Dillard and Samuel Dillard Sr; brothers: Charles, Ronald and Donald Dillard; brother-in-law Williams E. Smith, sister-in-law Marice Dillard, (Sister) Dorothy Cade, niece Angela Michele Dillard, nephew Jimmy Dillard and a bonus son Sandy Shelton all preceded Irene in death.

Survivors are: five daughters Regina (Willie) Menzies of Little Rock, AR; Carolyn Dillard of Brinkley, AR, Darleen Dillard of Hoover, AL; Belinda (Anthony) Milton of Brinkley, AR; Wanda (Cathrine) Dillard of St. Louis MO; twelve grandchildren, Tiffani (Richard) Jones (which she raised as her own), LaTonya (Mareiceo) Harris, Randle Johnson, Duran Brown, Kimberly Ester, Danielle Milton, Byron Murray, Tyree Milton, Antonio Murray, David Brown, Danielle Dillard, Stevenson Brown; 40 great-grandchildren, 9 Great-Great Grands; bonus children: Angela Randle of Orlando, FL; Edward Cade of Brinkley, AR; Dwight (Patricia) Shelton of Brinkley, AR; Brad Cade of Scott, AR; her sister Deborah Smith of Jackson, TN; two brothers, Samuel Dillard Jr. of Little Rock, AR and William Dillard of Brinkley, AR; two sisters in law: Connie Dillard and Doris Dillard both of Little Rock, AR and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, January 21 at 1 PM at Mount of Olive Ministries, 1200 North Main Street Extended in Brinkley with Reverend Oscar Conyears officiating. Interment will take place at Memorial Park Cemetery in Brinkley by C.J. Williams Funeral Directors and Cremations of Brinkley (870) 589-5036 email: williamsfuneraldirectors2022@gmail.com and web address: www.williamsfuneraldircectors.net <http://www.williamsfuneraldircectors.net>.

Pallbearers: Gary McGoy,, Lindsey Teague Jr., Terrance Washington, Dewayne Banks, Brad Cade and Kiminiski Teague.