Irene Centers

Obituary of Irene Hunt Centers

Irene Hunt Centers, 72, a resident of Daisy Hill Senior Living Center in Versailles, Ky., died Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, at the Bluegrass Hospice Care Center at UK HealthCare, Lexington, Ky.

Irene, the daughter of the late Charles and Louise (Morrison) Hunt, was born and raised in Sarah Ann, W.Va. She graduated from Logan High School, Logan, W.Va. and earned her BA in Health and Physical Education from Morehead State University, Morehead, Ky., where she was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority.

She is survived by her son, Christopher Cash Centers (Rebecca), her precious granddaughter, Jules Amelia Centers; her brother, Clifford Hunt; her sister, Marcella Hunt Johnson (Paul); her nieces, Tiffany (LeMaster) Blatt and Rebecca (Johnson) Lowe; her nephews, Charlie Hunt, Robert Hunt, and Thomas Haneline; many special great-nieces and -nephews, and many wonderful friends and co-workers. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Opal Hunt LeMaster and Donna Hunt Haneline, and her nephew, Richard Haneline.

As a mother, Irene was compassionate, understanding, and firm in her parenting. She pushed Chris to pursue his dreams of being a designer and expressing his creativity. She was his biggest fan and made every effort to be there to listen to his accomplishments and struggles.

Irene retired from the Kentucky Department for Public Health after more than 15 years. She was an especially fierce advocate for policies that helped improve Kentuckians ’lives. She hosted local forums across the state for community input that led to initiatives and policies such as: the toll-free Kentucky Tobacco Quit Line, tobacco free schools and other tobacco free settings such as restaurants, bars and work places. She was especially proud of Kentucky’s significant reduction in youth smoking.

Irene had high expectations for everyone she worked with — especially herself. At times, this would land her in a bit of “hot water” when she pushed the “higher ups” to move faster on important health policy issues. She had a passion, an intense zeal to change lives for the better. She shared this zeal as she also enjoyed professionally mentoring colleagues.

All Kentuckians owe Irene a debt of gratitude for making Kentucky a healthier environment in which to learn, work and play. Irene also had a lot of “play” in her. She loved going to Keeneland with her friends to bet on her Three Chimneys ’horses while eating a hot dog and drinking a beer.

During her career, Irene had several other places of employment including United Healthcare, Kentucky Central Life/Jefferson Pilot, Community Action, and her cherished weekend position at Three Chimneys Farm. She was also an active volunteer in both Versailles and Frankfort. She served four years as a member of the Versailles Woodford County Parks & Recreation Board.

A memorial service, officiated by the Rev. David Barron, will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13, at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, Old Frankfort Pike, Versailles. This service will be held outside with social distancing being practiced. Masks should be worn. The service will be broadcast on Mt. Vernon’s AM radio frequency 1670 for those who choose to remain in their vehicle during the service. The Clark Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

A special celebration of Irene’s life will be held this summer. Additional details will be announced closer to the time.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

National Aphasia Association

P.O. Box 87

Scarsdale, NY 10583

(or online at https://www.aphasia.org/

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Wednesday
13
January

Outdoor Memorial Service

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
Mt. Vernon Baptist Church
1220 Old Frankfort Pike
Versailles, Kentucky, United States
Social distancing should be practiced and masks should be worn.
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