Mr. Armon (Massie) Irones, Sr. was born on January 26, 1952 in
Birmingham, Alabama to the late Mr. Ollis and Mrs. Dorothy Irones.
He confessed Christ at an early age and joined the Mt. Olive Baptist
Church. He was ordained a Deacon as a young adult at Mt. Olive
Missionary Baptist Church. As an active member of the church, he
served as chairperson of the Deacon Board and as a leader in the
Sunday School. Tithing was very important to him because he
thought of it as a way to support his church. He paid his tithe consistently and
when he was no longer able to pay them in person, he sent them by his wife.
He began his education in the Jefferson County Public schools, and attended
Hooper City School from the second through the ninth grade. Hooper City closed
in 1966, and he finished his public-school education at Carver
High School. After graduating from Carver, he attended Alabama
A and M University and Alverson and Draughon Business College
from which he graduated. He was employed by the City of
Birmingham for more than thirty years in the Planning and
Engineering Department.

As a member of NASIHA ROHO ADINASI Fraternity, Inc., he was
actively involved in the mentoring of young African American males by
encouraging them to engage in programs and activities that would help them live
successfully. Thanksgiving is a time to be grateful and to share with others. The
fraternity community service projects included food distribution to needy
families, and he worked diligently to make sure the people who were in need
received special care and food during this season of giving.

Being outdoors was where he belonged because his hobbies
were golfing, deep sea fishing and gardening. He and his
friends made trips to Florida where they would spend weeks
fishing and cleaning their catch. He played golf with his
fraternity brothers frequently before his illness. Gardening
was passed on to him by his father, and he took up the hobby
after his death. The garden provided vegetables for his family
and people in the community.

Armon met and married Velyn Lowery, and this marriage was blessed with three
children. As parents, they worked hard to raise and educate their children and
insisted that they attend Sunday school and church frequently.
On Saturday, August 12, 2023, he made his transition from this earthly life to a
happier place where all is welcomed who believe in our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. He is survived by his wife, Velyn; two sons Armon Irones Jr., (Shalah) and
Ahmad Irones (Mallory); daughter Crystal Irones, two aunts: Pearl McCarter and
Amelia Irons; two sisters: Ollie Manley (Robert) and Bessie Hogue; four
grandchildren: Sasha Coger, Alyse Irones, Preston Irones, and Amari Irones, two
sister-in-laws: Annette Shepherd and Valerie Hicks (Donald); brother-in-law:
Jerrell Lowery (Gena), and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives
and friends.