Martha Irby

Martha Moorhead Irby, of Decatur, GA, died peacefully in her sleep Tuesday morning, June 3rd 2008, in her home at Sunrise Assisted Living on Clairemont Avenue.  She was born May 12, 1919, in Portsmouth, Ohio, the daughter of John Clifton Moorhead and Marian Ridenour.  She attended business school and soon thereafter worked at First National Bank of Five Points in downtown Atlanta.  She lived many years in Avondale Estates, where she raised her three children with her beloved husband of more than 60 years, Ed Irby, and was a dedicated member of the Avondale Garden Club.   She had a long and distinguished career with Re/Max Real Estate, where she was a member of the Million Dollar Club.  She was a founding member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in downtown Decatur, where she enjoyed serving in many capacities.  Among her other joys were cooking and spending time with her family and friends.  She loved to travel the world, visiting Asia, Europe, and other destinations, and enjoying family vacations closer to home on Jekyll Island, St Simons, and Hilton Head.  She was predeceased by her daughter, Cheryl Irby Fletcher; and her sons, John Edward Irby III, and Clifton Neil Irby; and her husband, John Edward Irby Jr.  She is survived by her loving grandchildren, Maribeth Fletcher Bell, Holly Marie Fletcher, Jason Ian Irby, and Catherine Elise Irby; daughters-in-law Christine Cheney Irby Williams and Susan Walker Irby; her sister-in-law, Anne Irby Comer; her two great grandchildren, James Frank Bell IV, and Lauren Elizabeth Bell; and her best friends, Katie Thurman and Dawn Bowick.  In lieu of flowers, friends may make contributions to the Heifer Project International, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, AR, 72202, www.heifer.org; or to First Church of Christ, Scientist, 446 Clairemont Ave, Decatur, GA, 30030.  Friends are invited to attend a service to celebrate the life of Mrs. Irby at A. S. Turner and Sons, Decatur, Sunday afternoon, June 8, at 5 pm.