Ira Marie Usery, 99, was born April 2, 1921 in Limestone County. She passed away Monday March 22, 2021 at Limestone Health Facility just a few days shy of her 100th birthday.
She was the 4th of 10 children of Albert and Nola Sandlin Black.
After graduation from Athens High School she moved to Tuscumbia, Alabama to manage the Elmore’s Store. While living in Tuscumbia she married David William Usery on January 12, 1946.
She enrolled at Athens State College and graduated in 1966. She was a teacher at Piney Chapel Jr. High School, a job she dearly loved. In her retirement days, she served as a volunteer at Athens Hospital until she was 85 years old.
She loved and was much loved by her family. She was a wonderful cook and usually had a delicious Sunday dinner after church for all who could come. Much of the food on her table came from a large garden she planted, maintained and harvested each year. One of her pleasures was watching her cows outside the sunroom while they grazed.
She was a member of Ephesus Church of Christ.
She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, and son, Neal Usery. Also, she is preceded by brothers Theo Black, Cecil Black, Archie Black, Burley Black and Amos Black; and sisters Rebecca Covington, Margaret Bailey, Gladys Davidson, and Elsie Black.
She is survived by her daughter Rita Frederick (Charles) of Florence; son, Stanley Usery (Jenny) of Athens, daughter-in-law Tammie Usery. Grandchildren, Brian Usery, Heather Nave, Rachel Anderson, Will Usery, Alan Frederick, Joel Frederick, Stan Usery, Jr., and Clay Usery and 9 great-grandchildren.
