Irene Faye Maness, 92 years young, passed away on Monday, June 21, 2010 in Marshfield, MO with her family by her side. She was born on May 7, 1918 near Solo, MO the oldest child of Bill and Fern (Byrd) Parmenter.

Irene was raised and lived most of her life in and around the Elk Creek, Tyrone and Cabool communities. She was united in marriage to Wayne Maness in West Plains, MO on Sept. 17, 1938 and to this union two sons were born. The boys were always active in sports; Wayne and Irene wouldn't miss a game.

Irene loved music, in earlier years she played the piano and guitar; and at one time she sang with the Byrd Quartet in local churches. The biggest highlight of her life was her family; family visits and "remember whens" will always be cherished memories. One of her greatest joys was cooking for family and friends, any visit to Irene's house you would be asked to eat and to take leftovers home, no one seemed to mind. She also enjoyed kids, going out to eat, flowers and quilting. She continued to do the things she loved as long as her eyesight permitted. Irene was of the Baptist faith and was saved and baptized at an early age.

Besides being a wife, mother and homemaker; Irene helped on her husband's milk route, driving the truck. Later, she was a cook at the Elk Creek school, a rural mail carrier and before retirement, Postmaster at Elk Creek, MO. Irene was a gritty and determined woman, doing things her way until the end.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Wayne in 1990; and three brothers, Dean, Bo and Lee. She is survived by her special friend and companion, Al Melton of the home in Cabool, MO; sons, Ron Maness and wife, Delores (Charli) and Rick Maness and wife, Michelle of Marshfield, MO; brother, Billy Parmenter and wife, Margie of Foristell, MO; sister, Patty Hamilton and husband, Bill of Cabool, MO; sister-in-laws, Joyce Parmenter of Gray Summit, MO and Lynn Parmenter of Peoria, Ill; granddaughters, Missy Hensley and husband, Kelly of Cabool, MO and Christie Maness and partner, Cassie Sarnowsky of Springfield, MO; grandson, Matthew Maness and fiancée, Charlie Runnels of Marshfield, MO; great grandson, Trevor Hensley of Cabool, MO; as well as many other relatives and friends who will miss her .