Ilene Smith Irvin, age 65, of Girdler, died Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at Baptist Health in Corbin. She was a daughter of the late Birchel and Della Bright Smith born to them on December 2, 1951 in Knox County.

Ilene was a member of the Heidrick Holiness Church, and was raised in the Locust Grove Baptist Church. She has served as children's church leader, youth leader, Sunday School teacher, and song leader.

The Lord called the Irvins into a music ministry to share Christ through song at funerals, homecomings, churches, tent meetings, and other events.

On July 28, 1973, she united in marriage to Donald Joe Irvin, and to this union a son, Christopher Landon, and a daughter, Brittany Birchelle were born.

Ilene Irvin was the epitome of love. She was an adoring wife to her remarkable husband who loved and spoiled her beyond measure. She was also a perfect mother to her two children and a loyal, little Yorkshire Terrier, Pebbles. Her family knew exactly how special she was and how blessed they were to have her. She was a former educator and administrator of over 30 years, who loved those that she worked for and with. She was a mighty Christian warrior, as well as a prayer warrior who selflessly sacrificed many hours for those she loved. Ilene was God's humble servant who used her gifts of cooking, singing, and teaching to bless those around her. Ilene loved to laugh. She enjoyed life and made life extra special for all who knew her. If you listened to her sing, you could feel God in her voice. And if you were blessed enough to get a hug, you felt the arms of God Himself. In everything she did, she planted seeds of Jesus' love in the hearts of all who knew her.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother: Bufford Jordan, and a sister: Bernice Broughton.

Ilene is survived by her loving family: Her loving husband of over 43 years: Donald Joe Irvin of Girdler.
Her son: Christopher Landon Irvin of Lexington, Kentucky.
Her daughter: Brittany Birchelle Irvin of Girdler.
Her brothers and sister: Landon Smith and wife, Jennifer of Gray; Wanda Hammons of Barbourville; Grover Jordan of Alexandria, Kentucky; and Arvil Jordan and wife, Alma of Girdler. She also left behind several nieces and nephews, a brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, and a host of "adopted children" including her second son, Shannon Bunch, and her second daughter, April Jones, as well as her lifelong friends, Dave and Jan Hammons, and many other "adopted" children and families to mourn her passing.

Funeral Services for Ilene Smith Irvin will be 2:00 P.M. Sunday, January 29, 2017 in the Hopper Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Tommy Frazier and Rev. Tommy Bellamy officiating.
Burial will follow in Hampton Cemetery at Girdler.

Those serving as Pallbearers will be: Robert Turner, Brandon Pilarski, Terry Jones, Nathaniel Vaughn, Justin Jones, and Casey Smith.

Those serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be: "Little" Tommy Frazier, Grover Gambrel, Russell Jones, and all Churches and their families.

The Irvin family will receive friends after 6:00 P.M. on Saturday at the Hopper Funeral Home, and on Sunday after 9:00 A.M., and until the hour of service.

Hopper Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements.