Irene Carter

Ettie "Irene" Carter

February 16, 1958 - July 3, 2023

VANCLEAVE - Ettie "Irene" Carter passed away on July 3, 2023, in Vancleave, Mississippi, at the age of 65. She was born on February 16, 1958, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and was a lifelong resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Irene grew up in Holly Bluff, Mississippi. She was a devoted member of Larue Baptist Church, where she served as the church secretary. Her dedication to Jesus and her church family was inspiring to all who knew her. Irene's unavoidable light touched the lives of many, and her absence will be deeply felt.

In her professional life, Irene worked as an outside machinist and project manager at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi. She retired in 2019 after a successful career spanning over 40 years.

Irene loved shopping, family vacations, and cherished every moment spent with her three beloved grandchildren, who knew her as “Huney”. Irene's role as a mother, sister, aunt, spouse, and Christian brought immense joy to her heart. Although she only had one biological daughter, there were countless others throughout the years who know her as their “Mama Rene”.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James Archie Carter and Annie Ruth Hern, as well as her brothers Jack Carter and Fox Garner, and sister Abby Gail Conerly.

Irene is survived by her loving husband of 24 years, Arvis Vincent "Buck" O'Neal; her children, Alex Childers Pelfrey and her husband Chris Pelfrey, Jessica O'Neal Millard and her husband Donald Millard, and Joshua Vincent O'Neal and his fiancé Kaitlyn Caillavet. She will be forever cherished by her grandchildren Gryder James Pelfrey, Elizabeth Raye O'Neal, and Drake Thomas Millard. Irene is also survived by her siblings, James Archie Carter, Jr. "Bo" and his wife Paula Carter, as well as Don Garner and Carl Garner.

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 14, 2023, from 10:00-11:00 AM at Larue Baptist Church in Vancleave, Mississippi. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 AM at the church, officiated by Brother Greg Clark. The graveside service will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Hamblin Cemetery at 3797 MS-433, Yazoo City, MS 39194 (across from Mount Olivet Church).

The pallbearers will be Clint Carter, Chris Deen, Russ Carraway, Blake Derouen, Scott Rasa, and Bo Ware.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Larue Baptist Church in Irene's memory.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, West Jackson County served the family.

To share memories and condolences, please visit www.RiemannFamily.com