Alice Irene Garretson Langham, 94, of Fayetteville, passed peacefully surrounded by family in her home on Friday, April 12, 2019. She was born March 6, 1925 in Keokuk, Iowa to Alice Irma Seward and Isaac Malin Garretson.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 73 years, Warren; son, Gary; daughter-in-law, Beverly Langham; sister-in-law, Dorothy Bowen; life-long friend, Bernelle Wilson Whillock; and her 10 siblings.
She grew up in Cliquot, Missouri, in a loving family of 11 children.
In the summer of 1943, she traveled to Fayetteville, Arkansas to visit best friend, Bernelle Wilson. On that trip Irene met her future husband, constant companion, protector and the love of her life, Warren Langham. After marriage they settled in Goshen, Arkansas where she became a mother of three, homemaker and helper on the family farm. She was a longtime member of Wiggins United Methodist Church, active in various missionary circles. After raising their children, she and Warren moved to Fayetteville. Before retiring she worked for J.C. Penney, the Washington County Collectors Office and the Fayetteville Public Schools.
Survivors include daughters, Shirley Birdsall and husband, Cal of Katy, Texas and Helen Cole and husband, Ron of New Bloomfield, Missouri; grandchildren, Vonda Syler and husband, Ron of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, Oaklea Phillips and husband, Nick of Witter, Arkansas, Charles “Chuck” Cole and wife, Laura of Columbia, Missouri, B.L. (Trey) Lewis III and wife, Kimberley of Katy, Texas; Erin Langham of Little Rock, Arkansas, Holly Spencer and husband, Matt of Buford, Georgia, Jarrod Langham and wife, Brandii of Tontitown, Arkansas; 13 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 PM on Monday, April 15, 2019 at Beard’s Chapel.
Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at Beard’s Chapel with Reverend Steve Cook, Reverend C. Conlee Bodishbaugh officiating. Interment will follow in Fairview Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
The family wishes to extend special thanks to the Hospice of North Arkansas for their compassion and care.
Love you Grandma!
We extend our condolences to the family. From Cameron’s grandparents.
Wow! What at stand out lady!
Our deepest condolences to all the family.
Thank you Irene for always being a second mother and guiding light. You are loved and missed.
Shirley,
Your mother lived a full life and I am so sorry to hear of her death. She will be in heaven uniting with Warren and other members of the family. My most sincere sympathy. Theda (Hoke) Hall
My deepest condolences. Mrs. Irene and Mr. Warren were good neighbors and friends with my parents. She will be missed.
We were saddened to hear of the passing or Irene. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Betty, Katie, Joe & Melody.