Irene Brown Stapleton, 82, of Greensboro, N.C., passed away Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017, at home.
She was born Dec. 5, 1934, in Springfield, daughter of James and Irene Gentry Brown. She and Thomas l. Stapleton were married in 1962 in Jefferson City.
She grew up in Houston. She graduated from the University of Missouri with a journalism degree in 1957.
She worked as a reporter for newspapers in Ft. Smith, Ark., and Columbia, S.C., as a staff writer in the employee relations department of Olin Mathieson Chemical Corp. in East Alton, Ill., and as staff writer for the Missouri Division of Commerce in Jefferson City. She also worked as a hospital community relations director and as a radio news announcer in Mexico, Mo. She was employed for over nine years by the Guilford County Area Mental Health Department as an information specialist, retiring from the position in 1997.
After retirement, she operated a photography and desktop publishing business from her home. She was a published author of poetry and short stories.
She cherished trips to the beach, swimming, good novels, travel, classical music, photography, card games, and holiday dinner parties for her family.
She was a member of West Market Street United Methodist Church and multiple other organizations.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Gentry Brown; and a sister, Rebecca Jane Ellefson.
Survivors include her husband, Thomas; a son, Thomas G. Stapleton of Charlotte, N.C.; a daughter, Rhonda S. Woods of Greensboro, N.C.; three grandchildren; a sister, Helen Crow of Raymore; three nieces; and seven nephews.
Services were Monday, Sept. 18, at West Market United Methodist Church in Greensboro, N.C.
Memorials may be made to the music fund of West Market Street United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 870, Greensboro, N.C., 27402 or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com.
