Irene Clay Canada

Irene Canada, 94, of Morgantown, formerly of Pierpont, Wyoming County, WV, passed away at home, peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018. Irene was born January 17, 1924, in Maben, WV, the daughter of the late Rev. Robert Lee Clay and Molly Pendry Clay.

Irene is survived by one daughter, Dorothy Cozort Sodomick of Morgantown; three grandchildren, Michael Cozort and wife Teresa, Kevin Cozort and wife Charolett and Gary Cozort; four great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren and her sister-in-law, Yvonne Clay. Also surviving are many loving nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her loving husband Emmett L. Canada; infant son, Walter Ray; six brothers and spouses, Verne Clay and wife Edna, Elbert Clay and wife Ruth, Kelly Clay and wife Helen, Virgil Clay and wife Bessie, Garland Clay and Basil Clay; two sisters and spouses, Vada Booth Tilley and husbands, Roy Booth and Abe Tilley, Zettie Canada and husband Cecil and her son-in-law, Larry Sodomick.
She was a lifetime member of the Sweet Home Baptist Church in Maben, WV; a devoted wife to her husband, Emmett and a loving mother to her daughter Dorothy. She enjoyed keeping her home clean and cooking for her family. She seldom missed Sunday school, prayer service or Sunday church. You would never hear her speak unkind of anyone and she tried to see the good in everyone. In her younger years, Miss Irene loved to garden and enjoyed canning the bounty of her harvest. She was faithful in sending birthday cards to relatives and friends and loved her grandchildren, who will especially miss her.

Miss Irene was one of the most selfless people you could ever know, going as far as taking food from her own plate and giving it to one of her grandchildren because they wanted more. There are countless examples of how she showed kindness to others. All who knew and loved her will miss her dearly.

Family and friends will be received at the Tankersley Funeral Home in Mullens, WV on Sunday, November 18, 2018 from 6pm until 9pm. Miss Irene will lie in repose at the Sweet Home Baptist Church on Monday Nov. 19 from 10am until time of services at 11am. She will be laid to rest beside her husband at the Tilley-Tolliver Cemetery, Twin Falls State Park.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Morgantown Hospice for their care and kindness.