Irene M. Roark

Irene M. Roark, 89, of rural Jonesboro, died Thursday, January 3, 2013, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House.

Irene was born in Craighead County and lived all of her life here. She was a graduate of Arkansas State University and was an elementary school teacher for 37 years, teaching in Brookland and Caraway schools and retiring from Bono elementary school.

Irene was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church where she was a member of United Methodist Women and the Covenant Sunday School class. Irene was a member of the Arkansas and Craighead County Retired Teachers Association and a charter member of the Greensboro Extension Homemakers Club.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Buel Roark, a daughter, Terri Roark, her parents, J.O. and Dorothy Levins Murphy and her sister, Wilma McCracken.

Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Patti and Tommy Nesmith of Jonesboro;

2 grandchildren: Sara Foster and Eric Nesmith; and

5 great grandchildren: Drew Nesmith, Grant Nesmith, Maddie Foster, Meagan Foster and Grayson Foster.

Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:00 in Emerson Memorial Chapel with Rev. Charlie Sigman officiating. Burial will follow in Pine Log Cemetery.

Active pallbearers include Robert Beach, John Cleaves, Shane Parnell, Charlie Lingenfelter, Hugh Walton, Heath Walton and Jeff Cribbs.

Visitation will be held Saturday evening, 5-7, at Emerson Funeral Home.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to St. Paul United Methodist Church, 2201 S. Culberhouse, Jonesboro, AR 72401, or to the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House, 400 East St., Jonesboro, AR 72401.