Irene Morris Drones

Irene Morris Drones was born to the late Elmo Morris and Estiene Virginia Bishop on June 11, 1939 in Crane, Texas departed this life on Sunday, April 7,2013.

She was the first black child born in Crane. But her birth was only the beginning in a line of firsts for a black woman who instilled deeply in her five children that, no matter what, family is important.

Irene's past is written clearly on the historical pages of Crane, Texas. She was the first and only student to graduate from Bethune School in Crane on May 16, 1957. According to school records, she attended the school since it was built in September 1945.

One of Irene's lifelong dreams came true when she graduated as a nurse from Odessa College in 1961.

Irene accepted Christ in her life and united with the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in 1945 under the leadership of the late Reverend T.J. Hollins. Irene wore many hats Deaconess, Youth Worker, and most of all she loved working in the kitchen. She was a faithful member of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church until her health problems slowed her down.

Nick named "Florence Nightingale" she loved caring for people. She loved her family, immediate and extended, and some of her greatest joys occurred during family gatherings especially holidays.

She will be missed, but the loving memories she left us will live forever.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, C.J. Drones, and sister Elma Jean Williams.

To cherish memory, she leaves five children: three daughters, Jo Ann Davenport Littleton (Alford) of Odessa Texas, Demetra Ann Drones Montegut (Lawrence), and Jacqueline Denise Drones Caldwell of Texas City, Texas, two sons, Luther Benard Davenport (Judy) and Cedric Drones of Odessa, Texas, three brothers , Luther Morris (Mary Ann) of Odessa, Texas, Tommy (Claudine) Bishop of Midland, Texas, Don (special friend-Sophia Valles) Bishop of Crane, Texas and sister, Donna Beulah Bishop Young (Charles) of Crane, Texas; five grandchildren, Luther Bernard Davenport Jr. (Tanya) of Crane, Texas, D'Lara Denise Montegut, Lawrence Montegut Jr., Lauryn Nicole Caldwell, and Jathan Lloyd Caldwell all of Texas City, Texas. Three Great Grandchildren Jayden Shea Davenport, Jocelyn Ann Davenport, Justice Malaki Davenport. Brother-in-laws Frank Drones (Dorothy) of Abilene, Texas, Deroy Drones (Lois) of Dallas, Texas, A.Z. Drones Jr. (Charlotte) of Fort Worth, Texas, Jerry Drones (Jo-Rita) of League City, Texas, and Elder Eddie Lee White of Oxnard, California and sister-in-law Evelyn Drones of San Angelo, Texas, A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

The family would like to thank The Staff of Crane Memorial Hospital, Dr. Sixta Gumato & Staff, Nurses Unlimited & Staff, Dr. Carl Brown & Staff, Compass Hospice, Dr. Tara Deaver, Allison Cancer Center- Dr. Karen Carr & Staff, Michelle Johnson, Cheryl Goodson, and Steve Spangler.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU to Mama's Guardian Angels Dorothy Jean Mitchell, Angie Porras, Olivia Garcia, Cousin Jackie Jackson and Aunt Julia Mae Walker.

The family will receive visitors from 6:00p.m. - 8:00p.m. on Thursday, April 11, 2013. Public viewing will be Friday, April 12, 2013, 9:00a.m. until 8:00p.m. Services will be held at 11:00a.m.,Saturday, April 13, 2013 at the First Baptist Church in Crane, Texas with Reverend Ray D. Hicks, pastor of the Bethlehem Baptist Church, Odessa, Texas officiating and Reverend Darren Willis, pastor of the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church of Amarillo, Texas, eulogist. Interment will follow at the Crane Sunset Cemetery. Services entrusted to Shaffer-Nichols Funeral Home.