Hazel B. Irby

Hazel Wynelle Burden Irby of the Durham Regent, died Tuesday in Hillcrest Convalescent Center. She was borneecember 27, 1916 in Fort Valley, GA, the daughter of Willie Mae Cox aneearl Lowell Burden. Hazel graduated from Fort Valley High School in 1934 as a 3rd honor graduate and attended Freeman Business College in Albany, GA. She worked for many years at Blue Bird Body Co., where she met her husband, Carlyle A. Irby. They were married in 1940. Hazel also worked at Robins Air Force base in Warner Robins, GA, from where she retired in 1976. In later years, she became a substitute teacher at Fort Valley High School, and at Durham School of the Arts, after moving to Durham in 1996, always with the intent of guiding students. Hazel became a member of Epworth Uneed Methodist Church, where she was active in the International Class, Lay Shepherds and neerous other programs. Hazel was always interested in young people their welfare, progress and good morals. Among her early youth contacts, she was an Asst. Girl Scout leader; an active member of the Fort Valley Uneed Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday school, was president of the youth division, counselor of MYF for several years, and was counselor of a small Caravaneeam visiting seveneethodist churches in South Georgia the summer of 1945, working with the young people. In Fort Valley she was a member of the Charles D. Anderson Chapter of the UDC, a member of the Governor Treutlen Chapter of the DAR and later, a member of the General Davie Chapter of the DAR in Durham. Hazel was preceded ineeath by her husband, Carlyle Armistead Irby, Sr.; stepson; Carlyle A. Irby, Jr.; Colonel John J. Irby and wife, Betty; sister, Mildred Burden Allen and husband Newton R. Allen; and son-in-law, Michael E. Burkill. Hazel is survived by her daughter, Ninna Carol Irby Burkill of Durham; grandchildren, Peter M. Burkill and wife, Katie Chen, of Asheville; Caitlin E. Burkill of Gainesville, FL; great grandchildren, Micah, Isaiah and Joasheuah Farabee; daughter-in-law, Carolyn B. Irby; step-grandchildren, Jack D. Mary Irby, John J. Sherry Irby, Jr., Misti I. Michael Anderson, Sandi I. Bruce Senory; and step great grandchildren, Christin Irby, James & Lisa Irby, Tyler Anderson and Jacob Senory. A memorial service will be held 3:00 PM Saturday in Epworth Uneed Methodist Church. Hazel will be buried in Oaklawneemetery, Fort Valley, GA following a graveside service. Memorial donations may be made to the Durham School of the Arts Foundation, 400 N. Duke St., Durham, 27701.