Mildred Irene Smallwood, age 98, of Dover, formerly of Wilmington, went home to the Lord on Wednesday, August 2, 2023.
Irene was born at home in Wilmington, daughter of the late Tom and Marie (Sturgis) Baker. She graduated from P.S. DuPont High School. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband William P. Smallwood, her brother Gene Baker, her son Paul Francis, and her nephew Tom Baker.
Irene dedicated her life to her family and worked for the family business, Baker Motors, Inc., as well as Blue Cross Blue Shield. She enjoyed reading, cooking, old Christian songs and hymns, and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. During her lifetime she was witness to many great events. Born in 1924, she witnessed the passage of the women’s right to vote, the Great Depression where her mother sold rolls, WWII, civil rights passage, and the moon landing.
She is survived by her daughter Janice (Smallwood) Stevens, daughter-in-Law Peggy Smallwood, grandchildren Roberts Stevens III (Lori), Constance (Stevens) Crane (John), Bradford Stevens (Katie), Pamela Rockerman, Tyler Smallwood. Her niece Barb Baker Scira; and several great grandchildren including Shannon (Crane) Smith (Michael), Connor Stevens, Nathan Stevens, Parker Stevens, Declan Stevens, Abigail Spiering, Aubriana Spiering.
The burial will be private.
