Mrs. Irene Mears Winshester, 98, passed away Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at her residence in Waycross, Georgia.

She was born May 21, 1928 in Tarboro, North Carolina to the late Frank Mears and Mary Lee Mears. Irene was a beautician for over 50 years and owned and operated Irene’s Beauty Shop, Tarboro.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Sherman Winchester, Jr.; her daughter, Shannon Lee Edwards; two sisters, Christine Foran and Constance “Shorty” Eason; and one brother, Luther B. Mears.

Survivors include her daughter, Sybil Yvonne Winchester Hyde (late Hubert Hyde, Jr.) of Waycross, Georgia; sister-in-love, Betty Winchester (late Donald Winchester) of Tarboro; grandchildren, Melissa Yvonne Batten and Kelly Irene Edwards; great-grandchildren, Alex-McKenzie Hyde Music, Chase-Anthony Blade, and Chanci-Ann Yvonne Batten; great-great grandchildren, Aaron Chambers, Sammy Music, Amanda Music, and Oaklen Music; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00am Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at Greenwood Cemetery in Tarboro. Following the service the family will receive friends at the home of Betty Winchester, 510 W. Walnut Street, Tarboro, NC 27886.

Music Funeral Home, Waycross, Georgia and Carlisle Funeral Home, Tarboro are assisting the Winchester Family.