Minnie Lou Irwin Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Minnie Lou Edwards Irwin, age 95 of Sparta, NC passed away peacefully on February 9, 2017 in her home, surrounded by family. She was born September 19, 1921 in Primghar, Iowa to the late Dillon Morgan and Pearl Edwards. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ulus Irwin; four brothers, Clifton Edwards, Clive Edwards, Harell Edwards, Buck Edwards; one sister, Betty Bledsoe. Minnie Lou graduated from Appalachian State Teachers College in 1941 with a B.S. degree in English, Science and History. She was more than just an English, Biology and Chemistry teacher for 43 years. During the early years, she also served as financial secretary for the K-12 school and was the yearbook advisor until she retired. She organized a high school science fair competition where the winners participated in a regional competition at the Dixie Fair and State Fair each year. She was a diligent advocate for any deserving student who wished to advance his or her education. She worked tirelessly on students’ behalf to arrange admission to colleges via work study programs, educational scholarships and financial assistance. Her goal was to motivate and challenge every student to reach his or her potential. In 1969, she was the Teacher of the Year for the region. She received the Governor’s Award for Volunteer Services and was inducted into the Rhododendron Society of Reich College of Education at Appalachian State University. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Delta Kappa Gamma Education Society, and Sparta United Methodist Church. After she retired, she remained active in the community, serving as a Director of Wilkes Community College and was a charter member of Alleghany Connections, part of the Governor’s One on One Program. She is survived by three children, John Irwin and wife Brenda of Sparta, Jane Brumbaugh and husband Wayne of Huntersville, Nick Irwin and wife Teddi of Greensboro; six grandchildren, Nancy Richardson, Melissa Irwin, Beth Brumbaugh, Matthew Brumbaugh, John Morgan Irwin and Andrew Irwin; two great-grandchildren, Emily Alford and husband Joshua, Sarah Richardson; one great-great-grandson, Cayden Alford; two brothers, Charles Edwards and wife Diane of Smithfield, John Wayne Edwards and wife Carol of Sparta; one sister, Dorothy Fender of Sparta; one sister-in-law, Flora Edwards of Independence, VA; several nieces and nephews also survive. The family requests the honor of your presence at the funeral service to honor the life of Minnie at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, February 12, 2017 in the chapel of Grandview Memorial Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the Shiloh Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Saturday evening at the funeral home. Flowers are appreciated, but it was her wish that in lieu of flowers memorials be made to Alleghany County Education Foundation’s Minnie Lou Edwards Irwin Scholarship, PO Box 33, Sparta, NC 28675. The family wishes to thank her caregivers Nellie Lopez and Reina Mopardo for their loving care of Minnie Lou during the last years of her life. The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff of Medi-Home Palliative Care and Hospice of Alleghany. Grandview Memorial Funeral Home is proudly serving the Irwin family and if you wish, online condolences may be submitted to the family at www.grandviewfuneralhome.com.

Minnie Lou Irwin

September 19, 1921 - February 9, 2017