Irene Mallisa Yellowdy Stanley

Irene Mallisa Yellowdy Stanley was born November 12,

1929, to the late Willie Lee and Hettie Dortch Yellowdy. She

was the oldest of five loving sisters, Violet, Mollie, Lucy Pearl,

and Anner Gracie. She was a member of First Missionary Baptist

Church of Smithfield, NC.

She was a graduate of Richard B. Harrison High School

of Selma, NC. She obtained her undergraduate degree from

Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, NC and obtained

her master’s degree from North Carolina Central University in

Durham, NC. While attending Fayetteville State University, she

met her future husband, Allison Stanley. The two were married

in 1952 and from this union was one child, Robert Allison Lee

Stanley.

Irene began her teaching career at Forest Hills Elementary

and High School in Four Oaks, NC. In the later part of her

career, she taught at Four Oaks Elementary in Four Oaks, NC.

Altogether, she served over 40 years in the Johnston County School

System.

On March 15th, Irene was called to Glory. She leaves to

cherish her memory, one son Robert Allison Lee Stanley (Debbie)

of Smithfield, NC, one granddaughter, Allison Nicole Stanley

and mother, Delores Joyner of Raleigh, NC. Her beloved niece,

more like a daughter, Rev. Dr. Debra Walker King of Gainesville,

FL, niece Linda Grantham of Landover, MD, 3 nephews; Retho

Williams, Jr. (Susie) of Rocky Mount, NC, Darrick Pridgen

(Cornetta) of LaGrange, NC, and Elijah Grantham Jr. of

Landover, MD.

Great nephew, Christopher King of FL, great nephew and

niece Thomas Grantham and Janeal Grantham, great-great niece,

Reign Grantham of MD, great nephews and niece Trey, Katlin,

and Jared Williams of NC; great-great niece O’Tivea Banks; great-

great nephews O’Tyren Banks, Deamonte Pridgen, and Ovion

Pridgen of GA; great nephew and niece, Michael McClain and

Kiara McClain of NC, great-great nephew, August Jamac Salley of

NC; great nephew Allique Moore (AJ) of NC; great niece Gianna

Grantham and great-great niece Inaya Carmilla Grantham of MD

and a host of beloved cousins, relatives, and friends.