Etta Irene Knuckles Randolph
September 18, 1920 ~ November 19, 2012
Etta Irene Knuckles Randolph passed away peacefully on November 19, 2012 at the age of 92.
She was born September 18, 1920 at Ellington, MO to J.D. and Clara Buffington Knuckles, the seventh of 10 children.
Irene’s family moved to Colorado when she was nine to purchase a sawmill in the North Pines. She attended Oak Creek and Peel schools before the Knuckles family moved the sawmill to Disappointment Valley, where she attended Upper Lavender school.
She met Earl Randolph at a dance at Peel School and they were married September 19, 1944 at Aztec, NM. Two daughters, Earlene and Elaine, and one son, Clay, came to bless this marriage.
Irene was affectionately known as “Granny Rene”. Her signature color was RED. She had a feisty personality and was quite colorful at times.
She could accomplish almost anything she set her mind to. She was a woman of remarkable talents, a gifted seamstress and had a passion for quilting, knitting, crocheting, embroidering and other fancy handwork.
She had a great love of dancing and music. She and her sisters enjoyed “Jig” dancing, something they learned from older family members.
Irene was known for her fried apple half pies. She taught 4H cooking and sewing classes, was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Troy Young VFW Auxiliary and was active in Senior Citizens.
Irene and Earl loved the outdoors, fishing at Lake Powell and made several trips to Oregon to visit relatives and can jars of wild blackberries.
Irene loved spending time with her family and was a natural-born caregiver. She loved being of service to other people. She was a caregiver to her father-in-law, to her husband, to her son and other relatives. She was always willing to lend a helping hand when needed.
In 2003, she moved to Monticello, UT to live with her daughter, Elaine and Bob Barry. She lived with them 5 1/2 years until an unfortunate fall resulted in a broken hip and declining health.
For the last 3 1/2 years, she has been a resident at Four Corners Regional Care Center in Blanding, where the staff became her extended family. They loved “Granny Rene” and her spicy personality.
Throughout the seasons of her life, Irene maintained a genuine concern for other people. She will be greatly missed by many people as will her many acts of kindness.
Irene is preceded in death by her husband, son, parents, two brothers and six sisters.
Survivors include daughters Earlene Jenkins of Dove Creek, CO and Elaine (Bob) Barry of Monticello, UT; five grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren and a sister, Ruth Saunders of Cahone, CO.
Card of Thanks
The Irene Randolph family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the love, support and many acts of kindness shown to us at the time our mother passed away.
A special thank you to the doctors and staff at San Juan Hospital, especially Dr. Reay; the staff of Four Corners Regional Care Center; Danny Palmer at San Juan Mortuary; and Travis Randolph, who conducted the grave-side service.
Earlene Jenkins family
Elaine & Bob Barry family