Agnes Cecelia Fournier Irby was born on September 3, 1924 in Mobile, Alabama to John H. Fournier, Sr. and Agnes Gayles Fournier. She graduated from Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic School in 1944. Agnes continued her education at Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee. She graduated from Lane College in 1949 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education, and began her career as a first grade school teacher at Chickasaw Terrace Elementary School. In 1950 she married her childhood sweetheart, Frederick Irby, and they relocated to New York where they raised their family. Rather than pursue her career as a teacher Agnes chose to devote her full time to being a mother, wife and home-maker. Agnes and Fred raised five children. During this time Agnes also suffered from chronic illness. She suffered quietly, with grace and dignity, always putting her family first, giving them her gifts of faith and love. In 1990, after forty years in New York, Agnes and Fred returned to their home town of Mobile. Preceding her in death are her parents John and Agnes Fournier, husband Fred Irby, son Frederick Irby, daughter Stephanie Irby, brother John Fournier, Jr., sister Philonese F. Beckham, niece Hermontz Small, sister-in-law Louise Fournier, sister-in-law Flora Lemons, brother-in-law Henry Lemons, nephew Russell Lemons. She is survived by siblings, Leo Fournier (Hazel), Etheline Richardson (Hal), Emanuel Fournier; sister-in-law, Louise Fournier; her devoted children, Addison Irby (Patricia), Kenneth Irby (Stephanie Lee), Pamela Melton (Fitzgerald); grandchildren, Alisha Marriott (Hugh), Kenneth Irby Jr., Stewart Irby (Erica), Sandra Irby, Terence Irby, Olivia Irby, Cecelia Melton; great-grandchildren, Osei Austin, Amari Irby, Deja Irby, Nadia Marriott, Alana Irby; daughter-in-law, Lucienne Houanche; nieces and nephews, Felicia McDonald (Curtis), Leo Fournier, Jr. (Alane), Sharon Burks (James), Annette Davis (Charles), Michelle Robinson (Danny), Emanuel Fournier, Jr., (Matilda), Andre Fournier, Threon Ortega, Philonese Fournier, Marisque Fournier, Dorothy Hendrickson, Henry Lemons, Jr., Carolyn Davis, Rita Hill (Lee), Donald Lemons (Gayl), Ryan Lemons, Eric Lemons (Sandra), Eddie Lemons (Breanne), Gregory Lemons. She is also survived be her devoted friend and companion Betty Steele, and a host of relatives and friends. While at college Agnes pledged to the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Infortunately, because of chronic illness that plagued her later in life, she was unable to maintain close ties with her sorority sisters. Visitation will be held at Small's Mortuary on Friday, February 29, 2008 from 6p.m. until 8p.m. and after 9a.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2008 at the Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church until the 10:00a.m. Mass. Interment will follow in the Gethsemane Cemetery, Mobile. Dignified and professional services entrusted to SMALL'S MORTUARY, 950 S. Broad St., Mobile.

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