Alton Roland Irwin, M.D. went to his heavenly home on August 14, 2016. Dr. Irwin was born October 2, 1931 in Columbia, Louisiana, and died at his home in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He was a graduate of Delhi High School and Louisiana State University Medical School. While in medical school he met his wife, Sarah Angelyn Pearce. They married in 1954 and lived in West Monroe, Louisiana until 2000 when they moved to Hattiesburg. After medical school Dr. Irwin served three years in the United States Air Force at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas. He practiced pediatrics in West Monroe for forty years, during which he touched many lives. He is still remembered by many as a dedicated, caring doctor who always put his patients’ well-being before his own self-interest. Dr. Irwin is survived by two daughters, Cherie Irwin of Monroe, Louisiana, and Renee Leigh and husband Dr. Joe Nick Leigh of Hattiesburg, Mississippi; son Dr. Roland Irwin and wife Britta of Wynne, Arkansas; grandchildren, Brooke Smith and husband Charlie of Paragould, Arkansas; Alton Irwin of Paragould, Arkansas; Prentice Lenard and Hannah Irwin of Monroe, Louisiana; Angelyn Rogers and husband Brian, Sarah Catherine Hood and husband Wren, Mark Leigh, and Caroline Leigh, all of Hattiesburg, Mississippi; Daniel Leigh of Oxford, Mississippi; great-grandchildren Daniel Irwin; James, Samuel, Grace, John, Claire Renee, and Josephine Rogers; Irwin Leigh; Olivia Irwin and Brayden Smith. Services will be at Friendship Baptist Church in Detroit, Alabama at 2:00 pm on Saturday, August 27. Services will be conducted by the Marion County Funeral Home of Hamilton, Alabama. Pallbearers will be Brian Rogers, Charlie Smith, Wren Hood, Daniel Leigh, Mark Leigh, and Alton Irwin. Memorials may be sent to Friendship Baptist Church (attention Marty Tate), 2969 County Road 35, Hamilton, Alabama. 35570
