Mrs. Iva Dean "Deana" Ireson

Bluefield, WV- Iva Dean "Deana" Ireson of Bluefield, WV, passed away peacefully at home on April 7th with her daughters by her side. Deana was a very private person and didn't want her death "announced", but we, her girls, are defying her on this one- she wouldn't be surprised. Deana was born Dec. 17th, 1935, in the coalfields of McComas, WV, the daughter of Mary and Roscoe Perkins, the granddaughter of Hungarian immigrants. A childhood memory she related often was reading aloud letters to her grandmother, who had difficulty reading English, from her uncles in Europe who were in the Army during World War II. As a teen-ager her family moved to Bluewell. Residing in Bluefield, WV after a brief marriage, she was left a single mother with two daughters and few resources. However, with a huge amount of hard work, determination, self-sacrifice, and help from wonderful family members, she raised her girls and they had a very happy childhood. Deana spent many years working at Bluefield News Agency, her co-workers becoming good friends who supported each other. When the company left Bluefield, she spent some years working at Walmart, making several close friendships. Deana loved spending time with her family, cooking wonderful meals, marveling at the wonders of nature (feeding the birds, rabbits, and chipmunks in her yard was an important part of her daily routine), and reading. She often told her girls, "Treat others the way you would want to be treated," and "Cheaters never prosper". She especially liked playing cards with her grandchildren (Old Maid, Crazy Eights, and Spades being her favorites). Deana was preceded in death by her parents and a beloved sister, Jaynette Gibson. Surviving her are her daughters and their spouses, Vickie and Chuck Perdue of Abingdon, VA, Kathi and Jack Broome of Fredericksburg, VA, grandchildren Kelli-Beth Dickinson and husband Robbie of Fredericksburg, Caroline Broome of Fredericksburg, Noah Jack Broome of Fredericksburg, Taylor Perdue of Richmond, VA, and Jill Perdue of Blacksburg, VA. She has four great-grandchildren, Miller and Reid Beavers and twins DuVal and Gunnar Dickinson (due to enter this world in just a few months). She is also survived by her dear sister Judy Bailey and husband Gene of Bluefield, VA (Judy was her best friend and confidante with whom she shared many outings, adventures, and countless fits of laughter), brother Howard and his wife Betty of Bluewell (Howard was her bush-trimmer and general yard clean-up specialist), her nieces Tammy Abel, Suzanne Martin, and nephews Michael Gibson and Timothy Perkins and their families. She also had a special uncle, Ervin Martin, from Virginia Beach, VA. Per Deana's wishes, there will not be a public viewing or funeral service. Her family will be getting together privately to honor her. To conclude, Deana's spirit will live on through her descendants, and she will be alive to us when we grab and catch memories of her, which will be often. Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family of Mrs. Iva Dean "Deana" Ireson.

Mrs. Iva Dean "Deana" Ireson

December 17, 1935 - April 7, 2014