J.R. Irby

SULLIVAN - J.R. Irby, 75, formerly of East Prairie and Knob Lick, died at 8:45 p.m. Dec. 20, 2003, at his home.

Born July 24, 1928, at East Prairie, son of the late Bill and Ruby Tompkins Irby, he owned and operated a grocery store at Knob Lick for 12 years. He was a member of the Pea Ridge Pentecostal Church at Sullivan.

On April 8, 1951, in Piggott, Ark., he married Sadie Polston who survives of the home.

Other survivors include: one daughter and son-in-law, Jamie and James Stoutt of Sullivan; one brother, Samuel Irby of East Prairie; two sisters, Vivian Smith of Detroit, Mich., and Joanne Kemp of Immokalee, Fla.; and two grandsons, Codey Stoutt and Brendon Stoutt of Sullivan.

He was preceded in death by four brothers, Gale Irby, Jackie Irby, Charles Irby and Earl B. Irby; and two sisters, Shirley Ann Irby and Betty Snider.

Visitation begins at 5 p.m. today at Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie, where services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday with the Rev. Alfred Morgan, officiating.

Burial will follow in the Dogwood Cemetery near East Prairie.