Irene Williamson

Irene Ball Williamson, surrounded by her loving family, went home to be with her Lord on Saturday, January 10, 2026. She was born in Buncombe County on August 4, 1945. Irene lived her adult life in Cherokee County where she was a caregiver and baby sat for many families. She took care of her siblings while her parents worked on dairy farms in Clay and Cherokee Counties. Irene was a Christian in the Baptist faith and worked for over 35 years in Shady Grove Baptist Church, helping with many Christmas and Easter programs , VBS, teaching in Sunday School and Sunday night programs.

 Irene was preceded in death by her parents, Turner and Florence Ball; her brother Richard Ball; her sister, Betty Elliott and her husband of 23 years, Elmer Williamson. Irene is survived by two daughters, Linda Hendershot of Murphy and Revonda (BJ) Moss of Hayesville; grandsons, Steven Foster, Caleb (Cassidy) Hendershot and Daniel Russell; great granddaughter, Addilyn Faith Hendershot ; siblings, Kathleen Masener, Cleveland, TN, Fran (Robert) Mull of Hayesville, Clyde Ball of Murphy, and Clinton (Karen) Ball of Salisbury, NC. Many additional nieces, nephews and friends also survive. 

Funeral services are scheduled to be held on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 1pm in the Shady Grove Baptist Church in Murphy, NC with Rev. Eddie Duckworth officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends in a time of visitation at the Shady Grove Baptist Church on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 from 11am until 12:45pm before the funeral service. 

The following will serve as pallbearers: Michael, Matthew, Carson Shields, Cameron Traub and grandsons Steve Foster and Caleb Hendershot; honorary pallbearers will be Gregg Traub, grandson, Daniel Russell and Johnny Shields. Flowers are being accepted or memorial donations in Irene's memory can be given to the Shady Grove Baptist Church Cemetery Fund. 

Cochran/McDaniel Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Irene Ball Williamson. You may sign the guest register and send condolences to the family at www.cochranmcdaniel.com