Biography: Irene Alice Eans, affectionately known by her loved ones as “Bags” was born, Irene Alice Corbett in Orangeburg, South Carolina on January 29, 1944, to the proud parents, Lovelyn and Idella Corbett, both deceased, she was the fifth of ten children. She met husband Lee Edward Eans Jr. and they were married in 1964 until his death in 1971.
In 1957, Irene, with her family, moved permanently from Orangeburg to New York City where she graduated from Julia Richman High School in 1961. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at the College of New Rochelle in New York City, in 1989.
Irene was a member of Greater Central Baptist Church for over 30 years. She was an active member of her church until she was too ill to attend, and she loved her church very much. She was a proud and faithful sister. She worked for the City of New York as an Eligibility Specialist for the Department of Human Resources for 47 years, before retiring in 2007. She was an active member of the DC37, Local 1549 Labor Union throughout her career and retirement , until her death. She was also a member of NAACP, CBTU (Coalition for Black Trader Unionist) and NEW (National Eligibility Workers Association).
Irene was also a loving mother and grandmother, as a widow on her own, she raised three children, and helped raise her grandchildren, especially her granddaughter Natasha, who she affectionately called “Pumpkin”, they would go everywhere together until her death. Irene was independent, educated, feisty, yet loving and caring, she taught her children and grandchildren to be the same.
On January 27, 2020, Irene fell asleep in death. She has touched many lives and will be greatly missed. Her son Kevin Eans, preceded her in death in 1989, but she leaves behind, two children, ”The Brats”, her son, Mark Anthony Eans (wife, Nadine) and her daughter, Michelle Eans, with 11 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and 5 surviving siblings (brothers – Johnny Corbett, Luther (Eddie) Corbett, Theodore (Teddy) Corbett and Larry Corbett, sister - Idella Cooke) and numerous nephews, nieces and others, as well as her beloved friends.
It is written, John 5: 28,29 “Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life…” You can be assured that one day Jesus will say “Irene, my beloved daughter come out and she will be perfect, aglow with holy spirit, thankful. There, in Paradise where it will be no more crying, except for tears of joy, nor will there be any suffering. She will rejoice in the Lord because she will finally be enjoying the real life, an everlasting life.