Irene Eason Tuggle

PERRY – Irene Eason Tuggle, 84, passed away peacefully on October 14, 2024, after an extended illness. Services will be held on Thursday, October 17, 2024. Visitation will be from 10:00 until 10:45 a.m. at Watson-Hunt Funeral Home. Graveside Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. in Evergreen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial contributions to Perry Methodist Church, 1002 Carroll Street, Perry, GA 31069. 

Irene was born on December 7, 1939, in Baxley to the late Thomas Arthur Eason, Sr. and the late Jewell Barlow Eason. A graduate of Appling County High School, she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Tift College, a Master’s Degree from Georgia Southwestern College, and a Specialist’s Degree from Columbus State College. Irene moved to Perry in 1961 after accepting a position teaching math at Perry High School. After her tenure at Perry High, she also taught at Peach County High School, Fullington Academy, and Middle Georgia College, rounding out her career in education to nearly thirty years. 

A long-time member of Perry Methodist Church, she was a charter member of the Christadelphian Sunday School Class. Very active in the community, Irene was a member and past President of the Beltista Club, a Ladies’ Service Organization. As a member and past President of the Perry Garden Club, she was instrumental in the club’s donation of a live oak tree during her presidency. It was planted in front of the current Houston County Board of Education in honor of military service members from Perry High School. Irene was also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international professional society for women educators. A natural-born artist, Irene was a member of the Jailhouse Alley Art Center in Fort Valley. Many pieces of her artwork will be on display for her final art show at Watson-Hunt Funeral Home during the visitation. 

Irene was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Arthur Eason, Jr. and Tim Eason; and three sisters-in-law, Evelyn Eason, Wanda Eason, and Dixie Eason. Survivors include her husband of sixty-two years, Bobby Tuggle of Perry; her children, Rob Tuggle (LeAnn) and Marny Tuggle Bowden, both of Perry; her grandchildren, Kaki Whiddon (Heath), Tom Tuggle (Mary Margaret), Meredith Mason (Patrick), Brooks Bowden, and Tanner Bowden; three great-grandchildren, Luke Bo, and Ella Ann Whiddon; her brothers, Bill Eason (Pam), Harold Eason, and Daniel Eason (Janet); and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Condolences for the family may be left in the online guestbook at www.watsonhunt.com. Watson-Hunt Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.