Irene LaDee (Gentry) Riker passed peacefully at age 82 on Saturday, November 16, 2013 at her home in Bellaire, Texas.

She was born in Poplarville, Miss.,on December 28, 1930 to Wilbur and Eula Gentry. She was a widow of Charles F. Riker after a devoted marriage of 59 years. She was a mother of two to Curtis Riker and Karen (Riker) Young; a grandmother of four and a great grandmother of three. She is survived by her three brothers Herbert, Bryan and Robert Gentry and their children and extended families.

LaDee graduated Valedictorian of her class at Pearl River Junior College with a degree in Business Administration. Her expansive career began at SYSCO Corporation as one of the original six employees of the company when it was founded in 1969. She enjoyed a long and distinguished career in key positions throughout her 27-year span at SYSCO. She first served as executive secretary, then assistant treasurer and was promoted in 1976 to treasurer of the corporation, a position she held for 15 years. She assumed additional responsibilities as corporate secretary in 1981, and then became vice president in 1991.

LaDee will be remembered for her compassionate heart, generosity, and willingness to help others. She was an intelligent, kind and beautiful soul and her uniquely happy, loving spirit will survive in all that she touched. Undoubtedly, Chuck and the dogs are excited to be with her.

A celebration of LaDee’s life will be held in Poplarville with a Graveside Service at 3 p.m. on December 7, 2013.  Flowers can be sent to the First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall in Poplarville. Donations in LaDee’s name can be made to the Nature Discovery Center (Beliaire,Texas), the National Foundation for Cancer Research or the American Heart Association.