Irene Gilley Soyars, age 82, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 24, at Hospice Home of Rockingham County after a brave and courageous three year battle with cancer.

A funeral service will be held at 2 PM on Thursday, July 28, at Fair Funeral Home Chapel.  A private burial will follow per Irene's wishes.

Ms. Soyars was born on October 4, 1933 in Ridgeway, Virginia.  She was the eldest of three children born to the late Dock W. Gilley and Esther Frances Cox Gilley.  She was a 1950 graduate of Draper High School and graduated at the age of 16.  Her career spanned over 60 years and included Fieldcrest Mills, Chinqua-Penn Plantation and Rockingham County Library System.  Irene was of the Baptist faith.

She is survived by her two daughters, TSgt. Donna Soyars, USAF (Retired) of Reidsville and Victoria "Vicki" Barnes-Thomasson of Eden.  Also left to cherish her memory are her beloved grandchildren, James Bradley Thomasson (Tasha), John Michael Thomasson and Jessica Thomasson Witt (Robert).   Her happiest days were spent with her very special great-grandchildren, William "Jacob TH"omasson, Briana Thomasson and "J.T." Thomasson, II and John Witt.  Her surviving family includes her sister, Nan Gilley Samuels and brother, Dock W. Gilley (Cheri).  Irene cherished the times she spent with her niece and nephews.  They are Dawn Samuels Gray (William), Matthew Samuels (Braley), Derek Gilley and Brian Gilley (Meredith).  She is also survived by two step-great-granddaughters, Sierra and Dixie and her long time best friend, Peggy Perry.  Also surviving is her last living aunt, Peggy Gilley Carter.  She deeply loved her clan of many Gilley cousins as she was the eldest cousin and served as the family historian and happily researched the Gilley / Cox / Odell / Hopkins family genealogy for well over 30 years.

She was preceded in death by a very beloved brother-in-law, TSgt. Kenneth Samuels, her long time companion, Terrance Shananhan, her grandparents, and many special aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service (1 - 2 PM) at Fair Funeral Home and other times at the home of her daughter, Vicki, at 230 Hidden Valley Drive in Eden beginning on Tuesday at noon.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Annie Penn Cancer Center, Dr. Eric Neijstrom, Dr. Shannon Penland, and "Dr. Tom", to Jennifer Joyce and the Barry L. Joyce Foundation, and to Hospice Home of Rockingham County for all their encouragement, care and support.

Flowers are greatly appreciated and memorial may be directed to Eden Historical Museum,  656 Washington Street, Eden, NC 27288 or to Friends of Eden Animal Shelter, 1027 Rhodes Road, Eden, NC 27288.

Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.fairfuneralhome.com