Rachel "Irene" Bourgeois, 88, of Kahoka, MO died Monday, January 21, 2007 at the Clark County Nursing Home in Kahoka, MO. She was born July 18, 1919 in rural Wyaconda, MO, born the daughter of Thomas and Rosa Belle Day Lawson. She married Roy Eldon Bourgeois on January 1, 1936 in Luray, MO. He preceded her in death on November 9, 2003. Irene started to school at Labelle, MO and when she was in the 4th grade she had moved to Williamstown, MO. She went to school in Williamstown through part of the 8th grade, but finished the 8th grade in Fairmont, MO. She went to high school in Wyaconda, MO. She was a lifetime resident of Clark County where she worked side by side with her husband Roy on the farm and raised their three children. She enjoyed telling stories of days gone by, singing songs, and playing games with her family. She also enjoyed crafts, sewing, embroidering and quilting for many family members. She made many dresser scarves, pillow cases and quilted comforters for herself, family and friends over the years. Irene also enjoyed working in the flower and vegetable garden, African Violets being her favorite flower. She also enjoyed canning the food she grew in her garden. Her family considered her the best cook in the county. Her pies, Merry Sugar Cookies and light rolls were some of the family's favorites. Most of all she was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was so excited, even at the age of 88, about her newest great grandchild, Matthew, born in September. Going to see grandma and grandpa on the farm was always one of the things the grandchildren always looked forward to at Christmas, during the summer and many times in-between. Her family meant everything to her. Her family will miss her greatly, but she has left us with many wonderful memories. Left to cherish her memory are two daughters, Doris I. Sims and her husband Ron of Sherman, TX, Mary O. Gilchrist and her husband Richard of Collierville, TN, one son, Eldon W. Bourgeois and his wife Maxine of Kahoka, MO, eight grandchildren, Tammie S. Simmons, Tony S. Sims and wife Vivian, Troy S. Sims and wife Sandra, Brent W. Bourgeois and his wife Tracy, Johnna J. Kermes and husband Tony, April G. Sanders and husband Lee, Amber K. Thompson and husband Robert and Aimee K. Gilchrist, eleven great grandchildren, Justin and Robin Sims, Dustin Turner, Timothy Hamel, Seana Waldrum, Ryan and LaTisha Bourgeois, Alix, Sage, Levi Kermes and Matthew Logan Sanders, one sister, Betty Lou Arnold of Colorado and one brother Roy Lee Lawson of Utah and several nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her parents, granddaughter Shelia Bourgeois, five sisters, Leana Walker, Twila Mae Roberts, Letha Belle Steele, Wilma Dee Burns, and Adda Faye Marlin and three brothers Clifford Lawson, Ralph Lawson, and Albert Lawson. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Wyaconda Baptist Church in Wyaconda, Missouri. Burial was in the New Woodville Cemetery in Wyaconda, Missouri. Memorials may be made to the New Woodville Cemetery.