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IRENE STERLING SILVER passed peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on February 27, 2024, at her home in Austin, TX after a courageous battle with cancer. She accepted Christ at an early age at Sweethome Missionary Baptist Church and is now resting with the King, her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Irene was born to Otis Sterling and Ora Lene Littlefield Sterling on August 13, 1947, in Austin, Texas in the nationally historic community of Clarksville, which is nestled in the west side of Austin. She was the oldest girl and the third of eight siblings. She attended Clarksville Elementary, Kealing Jr. High and graduated from the original LC Anderson High School. She later went to Durham’s Business College achieving a business administration degree which helped excel her to management level at Internal Revenue Service. There she received many awards for her accomplishments and contributions. She was honored when asked to lead a prayer on National Day of Prayer at work, and proud to conduct bible study faithfully during her lunch hour. After a very successful 35-year career, she retired from the Internal Revenue Service. She married Henry Eugene Silver and from this union they had two daughters. Irene later married, former husband, Keith Daryl Turner. In her earlier years, Irene enjoyed traveling, long rides to the country, concerts, movies, card games, dominos and crocheting. Irene was known to pack her rod and reel and head to the lake for a day of fishing and picnicking. It wasn’t uncommon on Fridays for family and friends to show up and stay for the entire weekend, enjoying a backyard party filled with laughter, music, dancing and love. She loved taking care of her entire family, especially feeding them from the two gardens she maintained in her backyard. Irene was always a nature person with a strong passion for working and decorating her yard. In her golden years, you were surely to find her outside enjoying morning coffee on the porch surrounded by her flowers watching the sunrise. In the evenings after finishing up in the yard, she would sit around the back patio admiring her roses and the sunsets while listening and singing to her music. She enjoyed watching Star Trek, Gunsmoke, Jeopardy, and thoroughly enjoyed a competitive game of Scrabble. Irene had two dogs that she loved dearly, Poppy and Penny. She will be remembered by her neighbors through her love of gardening and through her ministry of sharing gospel music on Sunday mornings. She was a founding member of Greater Calvary Church where she served as church secretary for several years under the leadership of Archbishop Sterling Lands II. Irene, mother, grandmother, sister, auntie and friend, her generosity touched many lives. Her bravery and confidence inspired others. Her love knew no boundaries. She loved the Lord with all her heart, soul and mind. Irene was preceded in death by her parents: Otis and Oralene Sterling; her brothers: Otis, Herbert, Melvin and Dennis. She leaves to cherish her daughters, Cassandra (Michael) and Charlotte (Joe); her grandchildren, Michael, Jerron and Kyna; her siblings, Joanne McFadden, Ray Sterling and Shirley Collins and many nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.

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Irene Sterling Silver

August 11, 1947 - February 27, 2024