Clara Irby

Clara Irby, age 88 years, a resident of Goreville, Illinois, passed away Friday morning, January 9, 2026, at 1:40 A.M. at SIH Memorial Hospital in Carbondale, Illinois. Clara was born March 17, 1937 in Tallulah, Louisiana. She was the daughter of Rodney Irby, Sr. and Onita (Tannehill) Irby. Clara is survived by: 3 children - Mark (Lori Phillips) Welch of Brandon, Mississippi, Cynthia (John Morrison) Welch of Goreville, Illinois, and Martin (April Busby) Welch of Florence, Mississippi; 6 grandchildren – Nicholas Welch, Anna Welch, Clara (Dakota) Bozarth, Jessica Welch, Marshall (Robyn) Welch, and Kaleigh Welch; 7 great grandchildren – Miller Welch, Wrenleigh Bozarth, Cason Bozarth, Mayson Welch, Macon Welch, Manning Welch, and Riggsley Welch; and other relatives and many friends, including two very dear and special friends – Meadow Lewis and Helen Janet Morrison. Clara was preceded in death by her parents – Rodney Irby, Sr. and Onita Christmas as well as 2 sons – Earl “Sonny” Jackson and Darren Rhinehart. Clara was a homemaker. She had also provided in-home care for the elderly and convalescing, through the years. Clara enjoyed a number of interests, including reading, bird watching, and listening to country music. Two of her favorite entertainers were Conway Twitty and Vern Gosdin. Clara particularly enjoyed time spent with her family. She cherished her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Clara was a member of Busby Chapel Freewill Baptist Church, south of Goreville. Funeral services will be held Monday morning, January 12, 2026, at 11 A.M. at Busby Chapel Freewill Baptist Church, 7715 Illinois 37, Goreville, Illinois. Pastor Darren Clark will officiate. Burial will be in the Busby Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be conducted Monday morning, January 12, 2026, from 9:30 A.M. until the funeral hour at 11 A.M. at the church. Memorials may be made to the Busby Chapel Freewill Baptist Church, P.O. Box 354, Goreville, Illinois 62939 or to the family to assist with expenses and left in the care of the funeral home. Memorial envelopes will be available at the church.

Clara Irby

March 17, 1937 - January 9, 2026