Irene Durney

Velma Irene Durney, daughter of the late Oris James and Clara Gertie (Keener) Worsham, was born December 14, 1924, in Wright County, Missouri and departed this life, surrounded by family, on March 12, 2016 at Autumn Oaks Caring Center of Mountain Grove, Missouri. She was 91 years, 2 months, and 27 days of age.
Irene grew up in Wright County and was a graduate of Mountain Grove High School class of 1942. She was united in marriage to George Nicholas Durney on November 15, 1942. They made their home in Rawlins, Wyoming for 17 years. Following Georges retirement from the Union Pacific Railroad, they returned to Mountain Grove and lived on a farm located north of town for most of their lives.
Irene was saved and baptized at a young age and had been a long time member of Friendship Baptist Church. Irene enjoyed playing the piano, sewing, quilting, embroidering, gardening, canning, cooking, and baking. Her greatest accomplishment in her life was her family; her sisters and brother, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and her great-great-grandchildren. Holidays and birthdays were events that she loved to plan and attend. Santa Clause visited her Christmas Eve dinners with an individual gift for each. Not one year, but for close to 40 years. Her family knew that when they visited, her favorite game, which she referred to as marbles, would be played and she was ruthless.
She taught her family many things, however, Irene's love for her Lord was extremely precious to her. She lived by the Golden Rule and never spoke about others unless it was a positive comment. She was a Godly lady who spoke of her anticipation of meeting her Lord even hours before her passing.
Besides her parents, Irene was preceded in death by her husband: George Durney on May 10, 2001; one son: Gerre Durney; one son-in-law: Kenny Ault; one sister: Thelma Friend; and one brother: Francis Worsham.
Irene is survived by two daughters: Clara Faye Dennis and her husband: Larry of Mountain Grove, and Leatha Ault of Nixa, Missouri; one son: Steve Armstrong and his wife: Valerie of New Castle, Indiana; one daughter-in-law: Denise Durney-Green of Mountain Grove; six grandchildren: Lori Hyde and her husband: Mike, James Dennis and his wife: Pam, Lindsay Morris and her husband: Coby, Jonathan Durney, Emily Ault, and Stephen Durney and his wife: Sadie; one step-grandson: Tim Green; fifteen great-grandchildren: Preston Jarrett and his wife: Cheyanne, Hali Jarrett, Jaxen Holman, Rileigh Holman, Tristan Dennis, Payton Dennis, Cole Morris, Chase Morris, Lainey Irene Morris, Aaron Durney, Spencer Zeolia, Skylar Zeolia, Braelyn Ault, Bentley Ault, and George Walter Durney; two great-great-grandchildren: Boone Shaeffer and Parker Jarrett; three sisters: Bonnie Friend and her husband: Rex, Vera Esa and her husband: David, and Marietha Crewse and her husband: Leonard; and a host of other relatives and friends who will miss her dearly.


Visitation: Wednesday, March 16, 2016 from 6 pm - 8 pm in the Craig-Hurtt Chapel

Funeral Service: Thursday, March 17, 2016 at 10 am in the Friendship Baptist Church

Burial: Hillcrest Cemetery

Memorial Contributions: Hospice Compassus or Friendship Baptist Church in c/o the funeral home