Ivra Colleen Stringfellow

Ivra Colleen Stringfellow, 92, of Bessemer, AL passed on to her heavenly home on March 24, 2023. She was born July 13, 1930, to Herman E. and Lillian Hazel (Patton) Gardner. Throughout her life, Colleen demonstrated what it meant to be a follower of Christ through her faith, service and dedication. Among the many roles she held faithfully, she was a loving wife, devoted mother, and proudest MawMaw to her two grandsons. She taught what living in a Christian home truly looked like, where the Bible was read daily and taught. Faith was shared. Life was bathed in prayer. Her assurance was evident in everything she said and did. She was a true role model, an inspiration. As a dedicated mom, she was an active member of the neighborhood "mom" network, making sure all of the kids on the "hill" stayed safe and out of real trouble. She was a supportive participant in the band boosters where she helped sew, repair, and remake band uniforms for the growing and incoming band students each year. She cared for her grandsons while their parents worked. It was evident how much they were loved. As a woman stiff and almost crippled with rheumatoid arthritis, she would make herself get down on the floor to joyfully play with them, never complaining about the pain she endured. She never called in "sick" from this role and she doted on them. She taught Sunday School classes for over 60 years, supported missions, and volunteered for countless church and community programs, especially with Senior Citizen groups. She and her husband ran a shuttle service of ladies to church, the "Y", and wherever they needed. They delivered commodities to the elderly throughout the community. She was a talented painter, artist and craftsman. In all of this, she was so humble, mild mannered, loving, and caring. She emulated what it meant to be a good and faithful servant. Colleen loved her Lord and will be missed by all who loved and knew her. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother Frank Gardner, her sister Mabel (Jill) Hart, and one niece. She is survived by her loving husband of 68 years, T.Z.; her son, Dale (Rhonda) Stringfellow; her grandchildren, Alex (Kayla) Stringfellow, and Travis (Ashleigh Farmer) Stringfellow, and her sister Jeanette Oglesby along with several dear nephews and nieces. The funeral service will be at 2PM on March 30, 2023, at Bessemer Brown Service Funeral Home with burial following at Highland Memorial Gardens. Travis Stringfellow and Dr. Nic Seaborn will be officiating the service. The family will receive friends at the chapel from 1:00PM until service time. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to: Shades Crest Baptist Church, 452 Park Avenue, Hoover, AL 35226 or New Community Church, 751 Ross Street, Heflin, AL 36264.

Ivra Colleen Stringfellow

July 13, 1930 - March 24, 2023