Obituaries

Jane Durham Irving

Photo of Jane Durham Irving
JANE DURHAM IRVING, 78, of Little Rock, Ark., passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 4, 2018. Jane was born on Feb. 3, 1940 in Levelland, Texas. She grew up in El Dorado, Ark., and was the daughter of Crosby and Velma Mary Adcock Durham. After graduating from El Dorado High School and The University of Arkansas as a Tri Delta, she enjoyed a rewarding career as a kindergarten teacher in Tulsa, Okla. Later she pursued a career in nursing from Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia that led to a successful career as a nurse on the urology floor at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock, Ark. Jane loved nursing and was very proud of the comfort and care she gave her patients. Jane loved the Lord and was a founding missionary member of St. Margaret's Episcopal Church where she was an active member and served on the altar guild. She had many fond memories of St. Margaret's. Before the original church was built, the congregation first met at The Market Street Movie Theater on Merrill Drive. Later they met at The Breckenridge Movie Theater. One Sunday Jane and her husband Jim remembered being locked out of the theater. It didn't matter, the congregation simply set up the altar and had church outside on the parking lot. Jane was known for her sense of humor and her passion for shopping. She might be wearing a mink coat and Louis Vuitton purse, but on her feet were Birkenstocks. Jane loved her Yorkies, she treated them like human beings. When she traveled, it was a given that they were going with her. Jane was especially proud of her husband, Jim, all of her daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren. Her health may have prevented her from visiting family, but she loved them all unconditionally. She is survived by her husband, James "Jim" Forsyth Irving III and her children, Mary Deidre "Dede" Hale of Little Rock, Ark., Kristin Ann Hale of Asheville, N.C., Holly Hale Boswell of Brevard, N.C.; Stepdaughter, Alicia Cantrell (Jeff) of Alexandria, La.; grandchildren, Braden and Hadley Boswell, Allee and Aaron James Cantrell; as well as many dear friends, relatives, and loved ones. Jane was preceded in death by her parents and the father of her three daughters, A.O. "Buzzy" Hale Jr. A celebration of her life, led by The Reverend Mary Vano, will be held at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church (20900 Chenal Pkwy, Little Rock, Ark., 72223) on Friday, June 15, 2018 at 11 a.m. Immediately following the service there will be an inurnment at the church's columbarium and a reception in The Virginia Mitchell Welcome Center. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to The St. Margaret's Building Fund and sent to the church. A special thanks to the staff at Hospice Home Care on Bowman Road, Little Rock, Ark.; CHI St. Vincent Infirmary, Briarwood Nursing & Rehab Center of Little Rock; Southridge Nursing & Rehab, StoneBridge Assisted Living, and Lindsey's Trout Resort, all of Heber Springs, Ark. Thank you to all of Jane's friends and family who selflessly sat with her over the years and during her hospice stay. Our last thank you goes to "Jude" the family's rescued miniature poodle who spent 13 days in hospice with Jane offering love and support to all he encountered. Sign the online condolence book at www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.

Published June 10, 2018

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