Irma Womble Beal

Irma Womble Beal, 102, of Siler City, NC passed away on February 26 at Chatham Hospital.

Julia Irma Womble Beal was born on December 31, 1921, in Siler City to Floyd E. and Delilah (Ward) Womble. She was the 8^th of their 10 children. As a child, the family began calling her Irma, a habit which she adopted and continued throughout her life. Irma grew up in Siler City and graduated from Siler City High School in 1939. She then attended Elon College and completed a business/clerical training program in 1940. Irma then accepted a position as a bookkeeper at the Long Finishing Mills in Burlington. It was there that she met Neil E. Beal and subsequently married in 1944. He unfortunately succumbed to an acute illness and died later that same year. 

In 1945, Irma began what would become a career of more than 50 years in the business end of the trucking industry. This career path started as the secretary for the claims manager with Associated Transport in Burlington. Because of her proven skills, she was recruited by Apex Express of Perth Amboy, NJ in 1947. Her recognized talents resulted in Irma being promoted to personal secretary to both of the company’s president and executive vice president. When Eastern Freightways acquired both Associated Transport and Apex Express, she continued her executive secretary duties and was also selected as the company’s Corporate Assistant Secretary.   In 1977, when Eastern Freightways ended operations, Irma was immediately recruited by Smith & Solomon Trucking of New Brunswick, NJ where, over a period of more than 20 years, she managed many of their administrative functions, also interviewing and placing students from their tractor/trailer driving school.

In 1998, at the age of 77 still not ready to retire, Irma thought she wanted a change of pace and accepted a position with Bannister Engraving in Milltown, NJ. Finally, after more than 60 years of employment, she retired in 2001. However, it was motivated more by her desire to move back to Siler City in order to provide help and support to her aging siblings. This was especially the case with her sister, Nadine Womble Short, for whom Irma cared for on a daily basis at both Coventry House Assisted Living Facility and Sunbridge Nursing Home until her sister’s death in 2017.   

Irma was the last of the Womble 10 siblings, a family devoted to Loves Creek Baptist Church since the church’s formation many generations ago. When not involved in church activities, she enjoyed traveling to wherever her son’s military career led his family. This included trips to several states as well as England. It also reflected her love of visiting new places which included trips on several Atlantic cruise ships. No one can forget her love of baseball, especially her “one and only” New York Yankees which included even seeing Reggie Jackson and others live in New York City. However, Irma’s biggest joy in life, as the family matriarch, was seeing her “Beal clan” in Colorado and North Dakota.

Irma is survived by her son, Earl (Donna) Beal of Grand Forks, ND; two grandsons: Thomas (Jillian) Beal of Highlands Ranch, CO, and James (Roberta) Beal of Grand Forks, ND; four great grandchildren: Zachary, Cameron, and Logan Beal, and Gretchen Devier; four great great grandchildren: Lillian Sivertson, Adeline Beal, Carson, and Vivian Devier; as well as several cherished nieces and nephews. 

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and her 9 siblings: brothers Lloyd and Lynton Womble; sisters: Burdine, Leisel, and Mary Sue Womble, Lila Brewer, Nancy Dunn, Emma Rue Yanchurak, and Nadine Short; brothers-in-law: Robert, James, and J.D Beal, Alex Dunn, Cecil Brewer, Clyde Short, and John Yanchurak; and sisters-in-law: Fay Dean and Louise Womble; and Clara Perkins.

Funeral services will be Sunday, March 3^rd, 2024, at 2 PM, at Loves Creek Baptist Church, Siler City, NC with burial immediately following.  Visitation will be at Smith & Buckner Funeral Home in Siler City Saturday, March 2^nd, 2024, from 5-7 PM.  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Loves Creek Baptist Church Cemetery Fund or a charity of the donor’s choice. 

Smith & Buckner funeral home will be assisting the Beal family.

Online condolences can be made at www.smithbucknerfh.com