Irene Thrasher was born January 21st, 1926 five miles southwest of Stanberry, MO; the daughter of Ray and Trixie Law. Irene was united in marriage to Melville Carol "Bill" Thrasher of Denver on January 21st, 1948. To this union a son, Donald Lee Thrasher, was born 7 weeks prematurely on February 18th, 1960 at Missouri Methodist Hospital, St. Joseph, MO. He weighted 3 pounds, 3 ¼ ounces, and lived in an incubator until his death 3 weeks later. He had developed lung problems on March 4th and passed away March 9th, 1960. His gravesides services were held March 12th. A second child, Karen Rene’ Thrasher, was born at Gentry County Memorial Hospital, Albany, MO on March 10th, 1964. Irene took her Lord’s hand and went home on Thursday, May 15th, 2008. She was at Golden Living Center, Colonial Manor of Albany at the time, following a brief illness and diagnosis of cancer made May 5th, 2008.
Irene was baptized at an early age by Reverend Lockwood in the Denver Christian Church, where she maintained membership until her death. Irene attended the Denver and Brushy Creek Elementary Schools and graduated from Grant City High School in 1944. In June of that year, she took the county teacher exams, as she had always wanted to be a teacher. In July of the same year, the president of a school district of Lone Star, a near-by district, wrote and asked her to put in an application there. She started teaching that school in August with 24 students ranging from 1st graders thru 8th. She taught for 15 years. She got her BS degree in Elementary Education at NWMSU, Maryville. She then taught first grade in Grant City for 27 ¾ years. Throughout her 42+ year teaching career. She taught multiple generations of some families. She was very proud of her students and was able to share fond memories of numerous ones at any given time.
Preceding her in death were her parents Ray and Trixie; a brother, Raymond Law, Gladstone, MO; infant son Donald Lee; and husband Melville "Bill" Thrasher. Surviving are her daughter Karen and son-in-law David Fletchall of Grant City; three grandchildren -- the lights of her life -- Anthony, Kansas City and Sheena and Brianna, Grant City; sister Opal McCleary, Richardson, TX; brother J.W. Law and wife Phyllis, Skidmore; sister-in-law Doris (Law) Sanders, Gladstone; nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and a host of friends.
Funeral services were held at Andrews Funeral Home, Grant City, on Monday, May 19th, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. Brother Bill Bracken officiated. Interment was in the Prairie Chapel Cemetery, Denver. Memorials may be given in her name to the Worth County Education Foundation at the Worth County School in Grant City.
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand words that blow.
I am a diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning hush;
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there; I do not sleep.
--Anonymous
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