IRENE EDWARDS COUNTS

Irene Counts, age 99 of Marion Edwards Drive, passed away Friday, July 7, 2023 at Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport, Tenn. Born in Colley (Birchleaf), she was a daughter of the late Watson and Winnie Sutherland Edwards. She was retired from Haysi High School as a cook and attended the Primitive Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Counts; son, Sidney Carl Counts; a daughter in-law, Janice Counts; an infant daughter, Carolyn Counts; a granddaughter, Suzette Counts; a sister, Pauline Edwards; brothers, Tracy and James Edwards; and foster parents, Jonas and Mary Ann Fuller Grizzle. Mrs. Counts was the last surviving sibling of her family.

Survivors include a daughter, Diana (Willard) Owens of Haysi; granddaughter, Terrie Counts; grandson, Greg Counts; great-grandson, Heath Counts; a great-great-grandson, Jentry Counts; step-grandchildren, Anthony Owens and Heather Owens; step-great-grandchildren, Andrew, Savannah, Ciera, Maddie, and A.J. Owens, and step-great-great-granddaughter, Rory Owens.

Funeral services were conducted 11 a.m. Monday, July 10, 2023 at Haysi Funeral Home with Elders Roger Fuller, Noah Kim Edwards, Garnell Gilbert and Jim Duty officiating. Burial followed in the Dewey Sutherland Cemetery, Haysi. Family and friends served as pallbearers.  The family received friends after 6 p.m. on Sunday, July 9 at the funeral home where an evening service was held at 7 p.m. with Elders Billy Campbell, Bill Campbell, and William McClanahan. Online condolences may be sent to www.haysifuneral.com.

Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.