Irene F. Savage (Frazier)

Mom’s Story Mrs. Irene Savage, was born Catherine “Irene” Frazier, on Friday, August 29, 1924, in Trinity Delaware. She was the daughter of Harry Cook and Estella Nichols Roach Frazier. After her mother’s death, she was raised by her grandparents, Minnie and William Nichols. Mom had a father-daughter relationship with John Waples of Bridgeville, DE. After a short stay at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, in Seaford, Delaware, she went home to be with the LORD on Tuesday, July 28, 2020. To everyone who knew Mrs. Irene Savage, she was affectionately known as Miss Irene. She received her early education at Blocksom School in Trinity near Dublin Hill, Bridgeville. She graduated from the 8th grade at Phillis Wheatley School in Bridgeville, Delaware and was the class Valedictorian. She loved to read and write and would have furthered her education, but at that time there were no schools in Sussex County for Black children who desired to go beyond the eighth grade. Black students desiring to go beyond the eighth grade had to attend Delaware State College in Dover, Delaware, for additional education. Her dream was to graduate high school and become an English teacher. Also as a child, she enjoyed going to church camp meetings with her father each summer. Mother married Charles H. Savage on October 30, 1941, in Georgetown, DE. At Charles’ death in 2008, they had enjoyed 67 years of marriage. They were the parents of eight children. Mrs. Irene leaves to cherish her memory, five of her eight children, Mrs. Geraldine Turner Savage (Daniel, deceased) of Seaford, DE, Joyce Stell of White Plains MD, Charles Savage, Jr. of Seaford, DE, Sharon Thompson (Christopher) of Seaford, DE and Vera Coleman (Thomas III) of Glenside, PA. Mrs. Irene is also survived by eight grandchildren, Renee Savage, John Redwine Jr. (Joan), Synette Stell Belfon-Valentine (Jay), Dawn Thompson, Thomas Coleman IV Esq. (Fehran), Adam Coleman (Emily), Alison Coleman and Casey Coleman Asishene, M.D. (Kofi); fifteen great-grandchildren, Courtney, Michele, Tiffany, and Phillip Savage (Louretha), Mariah, Thomas V, Aaron, Noah, Roxanna, and Sunday Coleman, Ava Belfon-Valentine, Lakisha and Brandis Thompson, Crystal Warner and Nikeia Jernigan; sixteen great-great grandchildren, Glory, Taylor, Leonardo, Grace, Mercy and Carson Savage, Kei’Osha, Shyla, Camren, Nazir, and Zacari Thompson, Ah’Teionna, Aniyah, and Andwar Jr. Martin, Charlotte and Braelynn Jernigan; and two great-great-great grandchildren, Navaeh and Nakayla Thompson. Mrs. Irene is also survived by the children of her youngest brother, Alton Frazier of Rehoboth, DE. “Ott and Vi’s” children were near and dear to her heart: Siretta Jarmon (Carter) of Selbyville, DE, Elton “Butch” (Michele) of Rehoboth, DE, Bernadette of Lewes, DE, Barbara (deceased), Lauretta of Milford, DE, Rodney (Shena) of Rehoboth, DE, Isaac of Lewes, DE, James (Amelia) of Rehoboth, DE, Nathaniel (Ann) of Bridgeville, DE, Earl (Rena) of Rehoboth, DE, Teresa of Newark, DE and Patricia of Rehoboth, DE. She very much enjoyed going to the Frazier cookouts and to family gatherings. She would say “I’m their only living aunt on their father’s side,” and she would say “stay close to them.” She loved her family and was very fond of Betty Frazier, the widow of her nephew Donald Sr., and their children, Donald Jr. and Vicki. Just as with Donald, she was also very fond of his brother Robert Sr. and his children, Robert Jr., Lisa, and Sandra. Mrs. Irene also leaves to cherish her memory, sister-in-law, Olivia H. Savage (Willis) and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends; lifelong friend, Mrs. Olive Alston and her family are special and have been friends of the family for over 70 years. Donald Lee Nichols is not only mother’s cousin, but also her brother in Christ at their home church. He, and wife Gloria, are very special to our mother. She had a special church friend, Sister Beatrice Holden, with whom she loved to talk each day. The two would ride to church together. Mom was a domestic employee for John and Helen Moore starting in 1949, resulting in a lifelong relationship. She developed a motherly relationship with their children, Connie and Ronnie, and their families. She was also a bus driver for the Dapi Program. Mom was employed by several local factories until she retired from Vlasic Pickle Plant in Millsboro, DE. Mom truly enjoyed her employment at Vlasic, where she made numerous friends. One special friend was Faye, whom she affectionately called her play daughter. Wherever she went, her sweet spirit attracted so many people, we sometimes called her a social butterfly. Mrs. Irene was a long-standing faithful member of the United Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith, Denton, MD for nearly seventy years. She sang in the senior choir proudly and was pleased to be a member of Daughters of Zion. She was a devout Christian and loved her church family. A phone call from one of the saints would brighten her day. Mrs. Irene was preceded in death by her parents: Estelle Roach Nichols Frazier and Harry Cook; daughters, Lovice Redwine (John) and Estella and Estelle Savage (conjoined twins); sisters, Marie Alston (Herman) and Reba Frazier; brothers, William Frazier (Mary), Herbert Frazier and Alton Frazier (Viola); nephews, Donald Frazier Sr. (Betty), Robert Frazier Sr.; grandsons, Anthony Savage and Darin Thompson; sisters-in-law, Reba Mapp (Norman), Lena Cannon, Dorena Savage (Clifton), Viola Frazier (Alton), Catherine Savage, Elsie Savage, Frances Savage (Freddy), Elsie Davis Savage (Elzey) and brothers-in-law: Elmer Savage, Freddy Savage, Clifton Savage, Roscoe Savage, Willis Savage and Reverend Elzey Savage. To her family, Mrs. Irene was lovingly known as Mother, Mom, Grandmom, Auntie, Aunt Irene, and Rena. She enjoyed watching her grandchildren on birthdays, holidays, and barbecues. It brought a smile to her face. She enjoyed spending time with her family, and we believe it kept her young at heart. She enjoyed the simple things: listening to and singing hymns with her son, Charles, as he played his guitar, family cookouts, the children running around the house and sitting at the kitchen table and talking to visitors who would drop by. She loved eating crabs, Russell Stover Chocolates, muskrat, German chocolate cake and drinking Pepsi. She was an avid reader and loved to do word find puzzles. Mother showed concern to her adult children advising and instructing them according to God’s word to the very end. She would make her rounds by calling each one almost daily. We all love her and will dearly miss her. Mother’s last words to us were, “Don’t quarrel, take care of one another, and love each other.” She would always end conversations by saying “give my love to everyone, peace be.” Lovingly Submitted, The Family of Mrs. Irene Frazier Savage

Irene F. Savage (Frazier)

August 29, 1924 - July 28, 2020