Wanda Karnes Irwin

Wanda Karnes Irwin, age 87, a resident of Springdale, Arkansas, passed away Wednesday, August 30, 2017 at Earlene Howard Hospice Home in Springdale, Arkansas. She was born February 24, 1930 in Cane Hill, Arkansas, the daughter of Stirman and Gladys D (Curtis) Karnes. Wanda was a current member of the First United Methodist Church in Springdale, Arkansas. She had previously been a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Springdale, Arkansas from 1960-1977 and Cane Hill Presbyterian Church from her childhood to 1960. Wanda Karnes married James Clark Irwin on December 26, 1949. She graduated with her Bachelors of Business Education in 1951 from the University of Arkansas. She taught for a few years in the Prairie Grove School District before moving to Springdale with James who went to work for Tyson Foods. Wanda and her husband, James, loved sports and seldom, if ever, missed a game their sons, Jim and Clark were playing. They were especially proud when Jim and Clark played for the Arkansas Razorbacks, and have been big supporters of the Razorback Foundation for many years. Wanda was a wonderful homemaker and loved having friends over for watching ballgames, playing bridge, and entertaining. Her bridge club and "lunch bunch" of many decades knew her to be an avid bridge player who sometimes helped teach others to play. Wanda loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren very much and just recently spent time with all of them. She and James traveled nationally and internationally in their younger years and Wanda was so glad to have had that opportunity with him. She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years James Clark Irwin, two brothers, Curtis Karnes and Warren Karnes and two sisters, Marguerite Deaton and Merril Brown. Survivors include her three children, James Stirman Irwin and wife Judy Showalter Irwin of Little Rock, Arkansas, Charles Clark Irwin and wife Georgi Spillman Irwin of Springdale, Arkansas and Paula Kay Irwin also of Springdale; her six grandchildren, Jill Irwin Penick and husband Dr. Edward Moore Penick III, James Clark Irwin II and wife Megan Allen Irwin, Carrie Irwin Farrell and husband Joshua Scott Farrell and Lauren Irwin Iler and husband Blaine William Iler, Hannah Kay Herdlinger and Hailey Ann Herdlinger; her eight great-grandchildren Edward Moore Penick IV, Worthen Clark Penick, Catherine Irwin Penick, James Clark Irwin III, John Cole Irwin, Crew James Farrell, Kate Parker Farrell, and Brooklyn Elise Iler and one sister Allean Moore of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The family will receive friends Friday, September 1, 2017, 4-6 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Springdale, Arkansas. Family graveside service will be Friday, September 1, 2017 at 1 p.m. at Cane Hill Cemetery with Andrew Thompson officiating. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church in Springdale, Cane Hill Presbyterian Church or the Cane Hill Cemetery. Online guest book, www.luginbuel.com.