Emma Arletta Irvine (Queen Bee), affectionately known as Mother Irvine passed away after a lengthy illness on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2018. She was born on March 7, 1930 to the late Ralph White Sr. and Hattie Willis White.

She met and married the love of her life Carl William Irvine in 1954 and to this union were born 6 children.  She attended Akron Public Schools and graduated from Garfield High School in 1948.

She was a former member of Holy Trinity C.O.G.I.C. and most recently a member of Chapel of Faith where she was ordained a minister and attended church faithfully until becoming ill.

Mother Irvine worked several years at Broadview Mental Health last working in 1986. She liked drawing, pencil work, and writing poetry. Mother Irvine also bowled in several leagues learning to bowl with her right or left hand. She pitched for several fast pitch softball teams and was an avid Cleveland Indians fan. She was a great cook and baked the best pies, cobblers, pound cakes, mouthwatering turnip and mustard greens.

Minister Irvine was  preceded in death by her husband Carl W. Irvine; son, Karlos William Irvine Sr.; siblings Ralph White, George White, Janett Ford and Audrey Clark.

She leaves to cherish her memory daughters Barbara Jean Bagley, Patricia Carter,  Kyra Elton (Thomas lll); Barbara Wells; daughter-in-law Rita Irvine; sons David Carter Sr. and Dwayne Michael Irvine Sr. (Tara), Tae Wells and Calvin Wells; sister-in-laws Marcella Campbell and Geneva Irvine, 16 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, 7 great-great grandchildren and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.