Audeen Irwin, age 87, of Lubbock, formerly of Floydada, Texas, passed away Friday, November 29, 2024 in Lubbock.
Graveside services were held at 3 p.m., Saturday, January 4, 2025 at the Floydada Cemetery. Arrangements were under the personal care of Moore-Rose Funeral Home of Floydada.
Audeen was born to Virgil and Valree Turner in Floydada, Texas on March 22, 1937 about 10 minutes before her twin brother Elton. She lived well over 87 years.
Audeen (Gram), beloved daughter, sister, mother, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and dear friend, passed unexpectedly Friday evening, November 29. Audeen was known for her fun and spicy personality. She was full of life and often the life of the party. Even as the Alzheimer’s disease undermined her personality in recent years, remnants of her spice and sass were witnessed at family gatherings, on her numerous daily walks, and in all her daily encounters.
She was Gram to her eleven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. And she was Aunt Audeen to her plethora of nieces and nephews. Gram’s greatest joys and her love language was making things for other people. She was always busy making something for or helping someone else. Her nieces and nephews were always stopping by for a meal, with hot rolls or a coffee cake coming out of the oven. She was thrilled when any of her many nieces and nephews would stop by for a meal and a visit. She was always crocheting something and many people have beautiful and useful creations made by her stealthy hands. She was also a prolific poet, with a portfolio full of witty, nostalgic and crazy poems.
She married Sherman Dail Irwin in 1956. They were married for 62 years at his passing in 2018. She was Mom to their four children – Kimberley Dawn, Shelli Jolyn, Patrick Dail, and Michael Glen.
Audeen is preceded in death by her parents; sister Lorretta (Leroy); brothers Robert “Shorty” (Louise), Doyle, Delmar “Bud” (Vi), twin brother Elton (her “Wombmate”) and grandson Justen Vogel. She was best friends with sisters-in-law Doris Irwin and Luella Slack, who preceded her in death, along with many she was close to from the Irwin clan, most especially her nieces and nephews.
She is survived by her sister, Margie Young, husband Travis; brother Dorman “Bulldog” Turner, wife Annette; sisters-in-law Dorothy Turner and Sandra Turner; her children Kimberley Vogel, husband Don; Shelli Johnson, husband James; Patrick Irwin, wife Darlene; and Michael Irwin, wife Tammy; 17 grandchildren, Colby and wife Bonnie, Courtney, Beau, Matthew and wife Lindsey, Tyler and wife Nichole, Katherine, Jordan, Jacob, Jason and wife Hartlee, Reili and husband Evan, and Valree and husband Calvin; and 10 great-grandchildren, Sophia, Hudson, Jaxon, Jace, Brodi, Jack, Ella, Camilla, Samson and Whit.
Audeen is also survived by in-laws Herbert and Sue Irwin, and Jane Irwin. She is also survived by many, many nieces and nephews whom she loved and cherished.
She was ever so loved and her true self has been missed for many years now, her passing making our loss even more poignant.
In recent years, Audeen participated in a study, received medical evaluation, therapy, social interaction and loving support through the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center,Garrison Institute on Aging and Dr. Jonathan Singer. Through that association she also received further support and was surrounded by a loving group of Friends at Treasured Times Ministry, First United Methodist Church. We are forever grateful for this educated structured program and their loving kindness. They are a wonderful resource for people with dementia/Alzheimer’s, and their families.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Treasured Times, First United Methodist Church, found online at fumc.com (online donations or contact information), Garrison Institute on Aging, online at ttuhsc.edu/centersinstitutes/ garrison-aging. These donations will insure the perpetuation of these programs in support of people with Dementia/ Alzheimer’s and their families.