Irene S. Belk

Irene Simonds Belk, 97, was called to be with her Savior Jesus Christ and be reunited with her husband of 59 years on January 10, 2022. Irene was born in Copperhill, TN on December 10, 1924 to the late Harvey and Laura DeHart Simonds.

One of 14 children, she was the first to graduate high school from Almond High School in Bryson City, NC. She moved to Charlotte and met the man she would marry in 1946. Irene eventually opened a catering business with her sister and retired from that business. She was one of the founding members of Ingle Street Baptist Church – later Landmark Baptist Church where she and Earl faithfully served the Lord. After Earl’s passing, she joined and attended Gateway Baptist Church until her health would no longer allow her to go. She was a dedicated wife, mother and friend. Her greatest joy was in helping others.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Irene was preceded in death by 6 brothers, Frank, Ernest, Vaughn, Walter, Bill and Hoyt and 5 sisters, Delpha, Myrtle, Violet, Ruby and Frances. She is survived by her daughter, Donna Annas (Reed) of Charlotte; two sisters, Betty Howie (Frank) of Harrisburg, NC and Joyce Drinnon of Waynesville; a brother-in-law, Don Belk (Doris); as well as many nieces and nephews who most called her “Mama Rene."

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, January 13, 2022 at McEwen Funeral Home - Mint Hill Chapel. A visitation will be held prior from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Interment will follow at Sunset Memory Gardens.

Memorial donations may be made to the Gateway Baptist Church 6321 Robinson Church Rd. Charlotte, NC 28215.