1927
Grace
2015
Grace Irvin
May 10, 1927 — September 15, 2015
Grace ‘Susie' Sims Irvin, age 88
Nashville, TN.
Died at sunrise, September 15, 2015.
Preceded in death by husband, Frank Shearer Irvin; parents, Grace Wilson and Cecil Sims; daughter, Grace Wilson Irvin; and brother, Cecil Sims, Jr.
Survived by children, Becky Irvin Campbell and Stuart, Nashville; Cecil Sims Irvin, Murfreesboro; and Alice Irvin Swearingen, Raleigh, NC; grandchildren, Amy Campbell Pearson (Matt), Atlanta; Lauren Campbell Hancock (Matt) and Molly Stuart Campbell, Nashville; Taylor Irvin Swearingen and Andrew Emerson Swearingen, Raleigh, NC; great-grandchildren, Campbell, Mattie Grace and Bailey Pearson, Atlanta; Ella and Sims Hancock, Nashville; brother Wilson ‘Woody' Sims and Linda, Nashville; sister Betty ‘Bebe' Sims Hatcher, Atlanta.
Graduate of Parmer School; Hillsboro High School, 1945; B.A., Vanderbilt University, 1949; Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity. Member, Franklin First United Methodist Church, Daly Thompson Bible Class; Franklin Emmaus Community. A Founder and 1st President, Church Women of Franklin; Founder and Chairman of the Board, Community (formerly Spring Street) Child Care Center, Franklin; Member, Tennessee Writers' Alliance, Jr. League of Nashville, The Study Club and Stoneycrest Garden Club, Nashville.
Susie was born a teacher, to middle school students, Cohn Junior High School, adults in Sunday Bible classes, and to her children, grand- and great grandchildren, the brightest lights in her life. Yet the consummate student, she continued her Art education in years of study at UT Nashville and the Vermont Studio School. Pinnacles came later in life when at 60, she attained her degree in Painting at MTSU, and in her 70's, studied under the late, great Jon Imber, enrolled in his Stonington, ME Painters Workshop.
A Southern poet/painter, Irvin authored 5 published Poetry collections. Her hallmarks of a lifetime of writing: Clouds for the Table and a children's book, Too Tall Alice. Her works appeared in local, state and national literary publications. The 1990's Sewanee Writers' Conferences granted her the zenith of literary critique, influence and poetic expression.
Her paintings stretch from the river, the fields, of Cecilwood Farm, to Maine's untouched woods and shores, across desert sands, the Holy Land. Her words spring from seeds of God, give voice to His sublime Creation, burst forth in truth and light.
Honored by her appearances at The Southern Festival of Books as well as on the late John Siegenthaler's "A Word on Words," Susie was inducted into the Hall of Fame, Williamson County Council for the Written Word, in 2003. Following the death of her husband, her collaboration with nationally recognized Belmont Composer/Conductor Dr. Deen Enstminger produced a gift to her church and choir. The hymn, "All Heaven Will Hear,'' a mountaintop summit in a lifetime of creation.
Never happier than when sharing her infinite gifts, she delved into hobbies with grace, creative energy, humor and excellence. Whether orchestrating VU or HHS Class Reunions or supporting her beloved Commodores, she was equally at home in front of a podium, a sought-after public speaker, poetic reader and illuminator. Gardening, cooking and flower arranging all took art to unforeseen heights in Susie's hands. The family thanks the remarkably loving staffs at Burton Court and Woodcrest of Blakeford at Green Hills, for their gracious care over the past six years. In particular, we express our utmost appreciation to Sevenia ‘Tina' Alexander for her love and support, and uncanny ability to bring a smile to Susie's face.
A Celebration of Life Service will occur Friday, October 2 at 1 pm, Historic Sanctuary, First United Methodist Church, Franklin; Reverends Roger Parker and Vona R. Wilson, officiating. Reception and Visitation, 2 pm, following the Service, Fellowship Hall. The family respectfully requests in lieu of flowers, remembrances be made to Franklin First United Methodist Church, 143 Fifth Avenue South, Franklin, TN. 37064. WILLIAMSON MEMORIAL 615 794-2289. www.williamsonmemorial.com
Nashville, TN.
Died at sunrise, September 15, 2015.
Preceded in death by husband, Frank Shearer Irvin; parents, Grace Wilson and Cecil Sims; daughter, Grace Wilson Irvin; and brother, Cecil Sims, Jr.
Survived by children, Becky Irvin Campbell and Stuart, Nashville; Cecil Sims Irvin, Murfreesboro; and Alice Irvin Swearingen, Raleigh, NC; grandchildren, Amy Campbell Pearson (Matt), Atlanta; Lauren Campbell Hancock (Matt) and Molly Stuart Campbell, Nashville; Taylor Irvin Swearingen and Andrew Emerson Swearingen, Raleigh, NC; great-grandchildren, Campbell, Mattie Grace and Bailey Pearson, Atlanta; Ella and Sims Hancock, Nashville; brother Wilson ‘Woody' Sims and Linda, Nashville; sister Betty ‘Bebe' Sims Hatcher, Atlanta.
Graduate of Parmer School; Hillsboro High School, 1945; B.A., Vanderbilt University, 1949; Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity. Member, Franklin First United Methodist Church, Daly Thompson Bible Class; Franklin Emmaus Community. A Founder and 1st President, Church Women of Franklin; Founder and Chairman of the Board, Community (formerly Spring Street) Child Care Center, Franklin; Member, Tennessee Writers' Alliance, Jr. League of Nashville, The Study Club and Stoneycrest Garden Club, Nashville.
Susie was born a teacher, to middle school students, Cohn Junior High School, adults in Sunday Bible classes, and to her children, grand- and great grandchildren, the brightest lights in her life. Yet the consummate student, she continued her Art education in years of study at UT Nashville and the Vermont Studio School. Pinnacles came later in life when at 60, she attained her degree in Painting at MTSU, and in her 70's, studied under the late, great Jon Imber, enrolled in his Stonington, ME Painters Workshop.
A Southern poet/painter, Irvin authored 5 published Poetry collections. Her hallmarks of a lifetime of writing: Clouds for the Table and a children's book, Too Tall Alice. Her works appeared in local, state and national literary publications. The 1990's Sewanee Writers' Conferences granted her the zenith of literary critique, influence and poetic expression.
Her paintings stretch from the river, the fields, of Cecilwood Farm, to Maine's untouched woods and shores, across desert sands, the Holy Land. Her words spring from seeds of God, give voice to His sublime Creation, burst forth in truth and light.
Honored by her appearances at The Southern Festival of Books as well as on the late John Siegenthaler's "A Word on Words," Susie was inducted into the Hall of Fame, Williamson County Council for the Written Word, in 2003. Following the death of her husband, her collaboration with nationally recognized Belmont Composer/Conductor Dr. Deen Enstminger produced a gift to her church and choir. The hymn, "All Heaven Will Hear,'' a mountaintop summit in a lifetime of creation.
Never happier than when sharing her infinite gifts, she delved into hobbies with grace, creative energy, humor and excellence. Whether orchestrating VU or HHS Class Reunions or supporting her beloved Commodores, she was equally at home in front of a podium, a sought-after public speaker, poetic reader and illuminator. Gardening, cooking and flower arranging all took art to unforeseen heights in Susie's hands. The family thanks the remarkably loving staffs at Burton Court and Woodcrest of Blakeford at Green Hills, for their gracious care over the past six years. In particular, we express our utmost appreciation to Sevenia ‘Tina' Alexander for her love and support, and uncanny ability to bring a smile to Susie's face.
A Celebration of Life Service will occur Friday, October 2 at 1 pm, Historic Sanctuary, First United Methodist Church, Franklin; Reverends Roger Parker and Vona R. Wilson, officiating. Reception and Visitation, 2 pm, following the Service, Fellowship Hall. The family respectfully requests in lieu of flowers, remembrances be made to Franklin First United Methodist Church, 143 Fifth Avenue South, Franklin, TN. 37064. WILLIAMSON MEMORIAL 615 794-2289. www.williamsonmemorial.com
Visitation Details
Friday, October 2nd, 2015 2:00pm, Franklin First United Methodist Church
Service Information
Friday, October 2nd, 2015 1:00pm, Franklin First United Methodist Church
Details:
Service Extra Info Historic Sanctuary
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Grace Irvin, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 11
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors