Irene DeFriese

Irene DeFriese, 86, died on Friday, Sept. 16, 2011, God gained another Angel in His Kingdom when she slipped into a peaceful slumber and joined her beloved husband, James DeFriese; son, Jim DeFriese, and granddaughter, Holly Lay, in a truly joyous reunion in Heaven.Mrs. DeFriese, or Mama Ninnie as she was known by family and friends, was a 50-year member of Jones Memorial United Methodist Church. She retired from Eckrich Farms as a sales rep and was also a housewife and mother. She had been married to James for 69 years and together they raised two wonderful children, Jim and Debbie.She lived a good, full and happy life. Irene enjoyed the gathering of friends, conversing about the "old days" and sharing a lifetime of memories. She and Jim were members of the Chickamauga Region Car Club and together they took make trips together in their antique cars as well as featuring them in many shows.She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and a woman of God. A friend to many and a stranger to none, she will be remembered always and truly missed.Irene is survived by her daughter, Debbie (Steve) Cook; grandchildren, Robbie (Cara) DeFriese, Jay (Jennifer) Wade, Miranda (John) Saxon, Scott (Becki) DeFriese; daughter-in-law, Tina DeFriese; nephew, Gene Denham; great-grandchildren, Dylan, Gracie and Jack DeFriese, Kenneth and Lilly Saxon and Jared DeFriese.Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday and 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011, at the funeral home.Burial will follow at Lakewood Memory Gardens, East.Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416. Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory, and Florist, 404 South Moore Road. Please share your condolences at www.chattanoogaeastchapel.com.