Irene May Harbert

Irene May Harbert, of Selma, passed away on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at the age of 100. She would have celebrated her 101st Birthday in four more days.
She was born in Oseola, Missouri on December 22,1923, to loving parents, A.A.(Andy) and Roxie Hutton. At the age of 12, she moved to Selma, California with her family, and graduated with the Selma High School Class of 1941.
While still a teenager, Irene met and married the love of her life, Darrell Harbert. But soon, the young bride bid farewell to her husband, as he left for service in the United States Army. World War II was declared, and Darrell went overseas to fight, and participated in the Battle of the Bulge. As most of the young wives during that time, Irene waited and worried. A telegram arrived with the news, Darrell had been wounded. However, when the war ended, her soldier came home to her and their young daughter, Judy. The couple made their home in Selma, and they welcomed another child, a son, Dennis. Irene and Darrell celebrated 60 wonderful years of marriage, before he passed away in 2000.
Irene was employed by J C Penney Company for 25 years in Selma, where she worked as the Office Manager and a sales person. She would joke that she had trained nine managers during that time.
She was predeceased by her parents, Andy and Roxie Hutton; husband, Darrell J. Harbert; son, Dennis W. Harbert; grandson, Joel D. Harbert; sister, Pauline Emmersen(Leroy); brothers, Alvie "Junior" Hutton(Luellen), and Herman Hutton(Yvonne). And she was survived by her daughter, Judy Fletcher and son-in-law, Dean Fletcher of Fresno; daughter-in-law, Patty Harbert of Kingsburg; three grandchildren, Darren Fletcher(Sara) of Napa, Darla Fletcher of Fresno, and Ryan Harbert(Polina) of Fresno; and seven great grandchildren, Isla Fletcher, Devyn Harbert Newburry, Jordyn Harbert, Katelyn Irene Harbert, Claire Harbert, Sierra Harbert, and Rayne Harbert; many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends, her church family, motorhome group, and "other daughters", Charlane Black Stephenson, Judy Smith Fusi, and Debbie Hubble. Irene cherished them all, wholeheartedly, and made life very, very special for everyone she cared about.
Irene loved Jesus. She was a faithful member of the Monmouth Community Presbyterian Church, and she drove her little white Corolla all the way to church in Monmouth, into her 90s.
Irene was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, an excellent cook and homemaker, an acomplished seamstress and crafter, gardener and camper. She rode her Suzuki motorcycle with Darrell in Yosemite. And while in her eighties, drove her motorhome to Fresno Floater outings.
Irene was amazing! She will be missed.
In Lieu of Flowers: Memorial donations may be made in Irene's name to her church, Monmouth Community Presbyterian Church 2825 E. Overholser Ave. Fresno, Ca. 93725