Irene Kay Francis Spencer Belcher transitioned peacefully into eternal life on March 11, 2022.

On August 30, 1936, Irene was born in Gum Neck, NC. Her parents were Cardell and Pauline Spencer, both preceded her in death. She was the seventh child of twelve children. She attended school in Columbia, NC.

Irene worked as a machine operator for forty years before she retired. Her favorite hobby was shopping for herself and her children. After retirement, she was the care provider for her granddaughter Tiara for many years, where she taught her how to cook. Momma always said, “ain’t no girl going to be around me who can’t cook.” She also said that a way to a man’s heart was through his stomach. Irene was known for her kind heart and her phenomenal recipes. Her door was always open, and she served her outstanding meals to any and everyone. Friends and family would stand in line for her chicken cordon blue, stuff pork tenderloin, pork BBQ, pumpkin yummy gummy bar, and her world-famous sweet potato pound cake. She was also known for her creativity in flower arrangements and her sewing skills. She was the family’s comedian who kept us laughing and having fun. She taught her children how to survive, the true meaning of loving and caring for each other, and to this day, we continue to love and care for each other.

In 1956, she married her beloved husband, Johnnie Belcher Jr.; they had five children from this unit. Johnnie preceded her in death along with Donald and Tyrone. In addition to her husband and sons, Irene was preceded in death by her brothers and sisters, Clinton Spencer, Isaiah Spencer, Albert Spencer, Marvin Spencer, Cardell Spencer Jr., Allen Credle, Beatrice Boyce, Cleo Bryant, and Fannie Rivers. She leaves to cherish her precious memories of her two daughters Eva Sumner of Norfolk, VA., Rona Wright (Frank) of Chesapeake, VA., one son Cornell Belcher of Washington, DC, five grandchildren, Tron Seaborn, Ty Clark (Kendall Clark), Tiara Sumner, Langston Belcher, Randall Belcher; and six great-grandchildren, Tyricka Riddick, Jazmen Riddick, Ajah Riddick, Kendall T Clark, Kaimen Clark, and Kaari Clark. Two sisters Mamie Credle of Norfolk, VA, Mary Shaw of Brooklyn, NY, one brother Isaiah Spencer (Leigh) of Norfolk, VA, a special nephew Albert Spencer (Marilyn) of Queens, NY, and a host of nieces and nephews.