Sep 2, 1925 - May 21, 2012
Posted by Jo Aguirre
Irene Estelle Stanford, age 86 of Newcastle died Monday, May 21, 2012 at Norman Regional Hospital. She was the oldest of 5 children born to James Arthur Michener and Tolly Corene Lee Michener. The family lived in the Iron Chapel Community and Irene attended Dibble Schools. Before her last year of high school Irene married the love of her life, James Ellis Stanford. They were married June 26, 1942 in Washington, Okla. Ellis was serving his country in WWII so they moved to California. Shortly after moving to California Ellis was stationed in Alaska so Irene returned to Oklahoma to finish school. She graduated from Dibble High School in 1943. After graduation she returned to California where they made their home until 1946. At that time they moved to Oklahoma City and one year later their only child, Larry was born in 1947. In 1949, they moved to Newcastle where they continue to live today. Irene was a homemaker and a gentle woman. She loved the Lord and was a devout Christian. She was a devoted member of the Newcastle First Baptist Church where for many years she sang in the choir and helped with funeral dinners. She will be remembered as loving, kind wife and mother.