Missionary Irene S. Cantrell

Missionary Irene Sias Cantrell of 2007 South 10th Street, Cordele, Georgia, died Thursday, September 17, 2026, at her residence.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 10:00 AM in the sanctuary of the Cordele Institutional Church of God in Christ in Cordele, Georgia. The burial will follow at the Bethel Cemetery in Cordele, Georgia.

Irene Sias Cantrell was born on September 25, 1951, in Cordele, Georgia, to the parents of the late Clarence Sr. and Thelma Lee Everett Sias.

She was a lifelong resident of Cordele and was educated in the Crisp County School System. She was a 1969 graduate of A.S. Clark High School and later attended Brewton-Parker College before earning a degree in Accounting from Albany Technical College in Albany, Georgia.

In November 1970, Irene made history as the first full-time African American woman employed in the Business Office at Cordele City Hall. She began her career as an accountant with the Urban Renewal Department and faithfully served the City of Cordele for 54 years. In May 2025, she retired as the city’s first African American Housing and Urban Advancement Director and Community Development Director, concluding a remarkable career of service to her community.

On February 14, 1989, she married the love of her life, L.C. Cantrell. Their union was blessed with two children, Lawrence Christopher and Lovelye Christina.

Irene loved the Lord her God and was a devoted, lifelong member of Cordele Church of God in Christ (formerly 12th Street COGIC). She faithfully served as a missionary, Sunday School teacher, and Bible Study teacher and was actively involved in numerous church auxiliaries throughout the years. Her sweet and gentle guidance, coupled with her powerful prayers, touched many lives as she faithfully shared the Word of God with generations.

On Thursday, September 17, 2026, surrounded by her loving family, Irene answered the Lord’s call and went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for all eternity.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence Sr. and Thelma Everett Sias; her brother, Obadiah Sias; her beloved sister, Mary Ellen Sias Whitfield; her beloved great-niece, Da’Ja Christophe; her grandson, Lawrence Christopher, Jr.; and her “sweetie pie” beloved daughter, Lovelye Christina Cantrell.

She leaves to cherish her loving memory her husband, L.C. Cantrell of Cordele; her son, Lawrence Christopher Cantrell of Texas; stepdaughter, Alana Mobley Cantrell of Savannah, Georgia; stepsons, Nigel Cantrell of Cordele and Derrick Cantrell of Colorado; her aunt, Bettye (Henry) Rainge; her brothers, Clarence (Gloria) Sias, Jr. of Miami, Florida, Alex (Dora) Sias of South Carolina, and Sammie (Trina) Sias of Augusta, Georgia; her brothers-in-law, Sam (Diane) Cantrell of New Jersey and John (Shelia) Cantrell of Sarasota, Florida; her sisters-in-law, Audrey Cantrell of Jacksonville, Florida, Lavonna Cantrell of Port St. Lucie, Florida; a host of nieces and nephews, whom she lovingly embraced as her “baby girls,” “sons,” and “grandbabies,” as well as many cousins, extended family members, and dear friends who will forever cherish her memory.