Celeste Beatrice Irvin was born August 21, 1953 in Tuscaloosa, AL, the fourth child of Mamie and the late Lenzo Irvin, Sr.  She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Beulah Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, AL.  Later as an adult, she was baptized at Bethel Pentecostal Church in London, OH.

Celeste was an active member in the community.  She was a member of the Small Black Business Association and the Canton Urban League.  She served as the Financial Treasurer for the committee to elect council woman Chris Smith and Treasurer for the Stark County Business League.  Celeste worked for a number of years at Gold Circle before retiring.

Celeste enjoyed traveling, attending family reunions, and spending time with family.  She was quite the organizer who made sure that everything and everyone was in its or their place.  She used her talents to plan family reunions, weddings, and research family ancestry.  Celeste was always the life of the party.

Celeste is preceded in death by her daughter, Verkiesha Cox, and father, Lenzo Irvin, Sr.  She leaves to cherish her loving memory, brothers: Lenzo (Lorene) Irvin, Jr., Fayetteville, GA; William (Madalyn) Irvin, Canton, OH; and Bishop Gregory (Carmen) Irvin, Sr., London, OH; sisters: Theresa Campbell, Canton, OH; and Belinda Dean, Fort Wayne, IN.  Five nieces, five nephews, three great-nieces, five great-nephews and one great-great niece.  Five aunts: Romelia (Cleo) Blackburn, Tuscaloosa, AL; Bernice Davis, Long Beach, CA; Bessie Willis, Los Angeles, CA; Winnie McCall, Tuscaloosa, AL; and Pauline Ervin, St. Louis MO.  Special friends: Norma Mills, Alma 'Pumpkin' Bailey, Priscilla Goolsby and Chris Smith.  Extended family: Mary Hatchett, Barbara Smith, Lena (Walter) Tucker, Sarah Braxter, and Johnny (Laurel) Dubose.  A host of other family and friends.