Cannon, Irene

Irene Cannon

Services: Have been held.

Irene “Murphy” Cannon, 82, of Portales, died Saturday, Sept. 4, 2004, at Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis.

She was born on Dec. 22, 1921, in Portales, to Bessie and Luther C. Murphy.

She grew up on the Murphy family homestead northwest of Elida. She attended grade school and some secondary school at a one-room schoolhouse within walking distance of her home. After it closed, she attended school at Elida and graduated in 1939.

Having completed high school, she married Charles E. McClain on June 21, 1942. They made their home on his ranch south of Taiban. Ten years later , she cared for her father during his final illness. After his death, she moved to Portales where she worked at the Gal’s clothing store while her son attended the university and joined the Central Christian Church.

In 1980 she built a house close to her daughter north of Clovis. Family members said she always enjoyed sewing. She was able to teach sewing classes when she worked at Fabric Mart and after several years she went to work for a local fashion designer and had her work featured on the cover of the Dallas Apparel News. She also enjoyed gardening, canning and animals.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and by a brother, Roy Murphy.

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Rod and Mary McClain of Taiban; her daughter and son-in-law, Charlotte and Ronnie Eaton of Clovis; seven grandchildren, Tad Eaton, Kara Grand, Candace Eaton and Michael Eaton, Shannon Harcrow, and Taylor and Morgan McClain; five great-grand children, Jacob, Ethan, Hannah and Abigail Grant, and Tyler Harcrow; and her sister, Hazel Holmes of Elida.

Kenneth Broad will officiate the services.

Pallbearers are Steven Grant, Don Harcrow, Michael Eaton, Taylor McClain, Noel Rippee and Bobby Russ.

Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.