Irene Brenda Palm was born February 13, 1958, in St. Louis, Missouri to the late Robert and Minnette Palm. Irene was the youngest of 5 children and she made sure she let everyone know SHE WAS THE BABY!

Irene graduated with honors from Beaumont High School in 1976 and received a 2-year bachelor's degree in 1978.

By this time, Irene was already known for her fashion acumen, which was noticeable by her signature gold tooth. She was very present in her home church, Prince of Peace Missionary Baptist Church, whether through missionary work with her Mother, directing or singing in the choir.

Church has always been Irene's foundation. The Church is where she met her first husband, Elder Jeffrey McLaughlin of Danville, Va.; this union produced Irene's 3 children: Brian, Jeffrey & Melyssa McLaughlin.

Irene's marriage moved her from St. Louis, Missouri in 1983 to Danville, Virginia; Winston-Salem, NC; and finally, the family settled in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Through those travels, Irene worshiped extensively at McLaughlin Memorial (South Boston, Va); Macedonia Holiness Church (later Greater Cleveland Baptist Church, both in Winston-Salem, NC); and her Home Church since 1991, Mt Zion Baptist Church (Greensboro, NC).

Over the next two decades, Irene would see her 3 children finish high school, she would remarry (1998 - Terry Croom), see her eldest son graduate from WSSU, and welcome her first 2 grandchildren, Izayah McLaughlin (2006) & Jourdyn McLaughlin-Moses (2009).

Irene never lost her love for Fashion and Beautification. She owned "Fingertips 'n Toes" nail salon and was a pioneer for nail technicians in Greensboro, NC in the 90's. One of Irene's most cherished professional accomplishments was when she merged her brand with "Boz & Co." IYKYK.

Irene would let you know she was phased out of the mainstream nail tech industry when she refused to adapt to the machines and drills of the new regime that cut the time for nail service in half. She still kept a select group of clientele, but she took a pivot into State Employment.

Irene's first stop was Winston-Salem State University from 2011-2016 where she worked in the TEAP Center and was an integral part as Administrative Assistant for the "Real Men Teach" program at the university.

In 2016, Irene moved back to Greensboro and began working at North Carolina A&T State University as an Administrator at the Campus Recreational Center, and was still an employee with the university at the time of her passing, May 5, 2024.

Irene was a true entrepreneur, hustler & Diva, and these 3 attributes fit perfectly when she met her Mary Kay Family in 2017 and they had this to say:
"Irene was the first team member of Nella Martin and took her business very seriously by earning certificates like MK University, Color Confident, Skincare Confident, and Mary Kay legal. She was also a Mary Kay all star consultant.

Irene became an "Independent Sales Director" with Mary Kay in November 2020 during the pandemic. We will fondly remember one of her famous quotes, "It's a poor rat that only has one hole to crawl into." We all laughed as she was discussing how important it was to have multiple streams of income. - Mary Kay Family

Irene had been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, which is a hardening of the lungs; hers was a result of breathing in those nail chemicals all of those years. December 2022 she was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer. The coupling of those complications got her a congestive heart failure diagnosis in December 2023.

May 5, 2024, at 5:15pm, Irene Brenda Palm took her final breath after suffering internal organ failure as a result of sepsis. She was surrounded by her children, grandchildren, best friends and family.

Mommy would want you to know 5 things:
My name is simple to spell: "IRENE PALM" - like the "palm" of your hand.
Be Yourself. "Dare to be Different."
I am NOT to be played with!
"I'm from Missouri, honey, 'The Show-Me State". She cherished her peace.
"Y'all making entirely too much noise in here!"


Irene leaves behind her children: Brian "B Daht" McLaughlin (Carla McLaughlin), Jeffrey McLaughlin II, & Melyssa McLaughlin; four grandkids: Izayah McLaughlin, Jourdyn McLaughlin-Moses, Riyen McLaughlin (2012), Jameil McLaughlin (2016).

She was preceded in death by three of her siblings: Jacqueline Palm, Tyrone Bruce Palm & Rodney Wade Palm. She is survived by her lone remaining sibling, Robert Alton Palm.

Irene also leaves behind her three Best Friends: "The Golden Girls": Phyllis Brooks, Ruby Johnson & Janet Mitchell.

Her life will be celebrated at 12:00 P.M. on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at Mount Zion Baptist Church (Greensboro) with visitation at 11:30 A.M. prior to the service. A public viewing period will be held from 10:00 A.M until the hour of celebration.