Irene Nation

ARLINGTON -- Irene Nation, 87, beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt and grandmother, peacefully stepped into the arms of Jesus on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012, surrounded by family. Memorial service: 3 p.m. Friday at Eden Road Community Church, 7000 S. Matlock, Arlington. Visitation: The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Wade Family Funeral Home, 4140 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington. Irene was born July 9, 1924, in Vera to Oliver and Tessie Actkinson. In 1941, her family moved to Arlington, where she met and married her first and lifelong love, E.G. Nation, on Feb. 9, 1947. Her family quickly grew to five children, 16 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Using her gift of hospitality, she welcomed missionaries and various church groups into her home. Her hobbies included gardening, entertaining, oil painting and playing checkers with grandchildren. She served her Lord and Savior faithfully all her adult life. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Elmer and Wallace Actkinson; and sisters, Marjorie and Kathleen. Survivors: Husband, E.G. Nation; sisters, Mary Ruth, Ola Neely and Nancy Kirk; children, Tim, Paul, Mark, Martha and Marien; and many numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.