Irene Virginia (Dudek) Graham, 87, was born in Willow, Oklahoma on December 8, 1934, to Frank H. and Millie (Baca) Dudek and entered eternal rest on July 28, 2022, in Cibolo, Texas. She was a 1953 graduate of Lake Creek High School in Lake Creek, Oklahoma where she excelled in basketball and her studies. Irene grew up on her family farm and learned her strong work ethic along with her two brothers and three sisters.
When Irene moved to Del Rio in 1972, she had no idea how much she would come to love the community and wealth of friends she would cherish. Irene worked at the Del Rio Chamber of Commerce for 15 years and loved her career at the First Savings and Loan. Irene volunteered at many of the city’s fundraising and charitable events including 4H, The Annual Wild Game Dinner, and Border Buttermilks to list a few. Her family often told stories that a visit to Del Rio with Irene was like visiting with a celebrity because it seemed as though everyone knew Irene and Marvin. Irene’s loves were her family, her faith and the San Antonio Spurs – not in that particular order. Irene was an honorary Spurs “couch coach” and it was not in anyone’s best interest to interrupt her ball games. Marvin and Irene supported Del Rio High School’s girls’ basketball program as active visitors to both their home and away games.
She also shared her love of food with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Whether it was chicken fried steak, chicken and dumplings, homemade cobbler, deviled eggs, or her famous ranch dressing, Irene always looked forward to spending time and cooking for the ones she loved. She also loved gardening, taking care of her house plants, and ensuring the hummingbirds were well taken care of.
Irene is preceded in death by her loving husband of 44 years, Marvin Graham; her parents Frank and Millie Dudek; her sisters Ann Copeland, Mildred Ritter, Pauline Pierce; her sister-in-law Francisca “Paquita” Dudek; and brothers-in-law Carl Ritter, and Bill Pierce.
Irene is survived by her children: Robin Sullivan and partner Colleen Harris of Cibolo, Texas; Kimberly May and her husband Craig of New Caney, Texas; Allen K. Graham and wife, Katie, of Austin Texas; Bryan L. Graham and Jennifer Hopper of La Vernia, Texas; and Kathleen Graham of Austin, Texas. 6 grandchildren: Sam King, Jason King, Ron Sullivan, Jake May, Molly Kirk, and Kaitlyn Hosner. 7 great grandchildren: Skylar King, Brody King, Sean Michael King, Levi Kirk, Khloe Kirk, Aiden Grosso, and Charlotte Hosner. Siblings: Frank “Sonny” Dudek of Durant, Oklahoma; Billy Dudek and wife, Sue, of Willow, Oklahoma; and brother-in-law Tommy Copeland of Weatherford, Texas.
Irene will be forever loved and always missed by those who knew her.
Irene will join her beloved husband on Friday, September 23, 2022, at 11 am at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas, with a memorial service afterwards.
In lieu of flowers, you may make donations in Irene’s memory to: First Christian Church, 2101 N. Main Street, Del Rio, Texas 78840. Irene was passionate about and dedicated so much of their time to her church and helping those around her and took great pride in telling new friends about her many adventures with her church family. Donations may also be made to a charity of your choice in her name.
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