A Life of Love and Loss: Cheryl Denise Irby Dies in Tragic Crash, Years After Comforting Grandson in His Final Moments
BIRMINGHAM, AL — In a heartbreaking echo of loss, Cheryl Denise Irby, a woman known for her quiet strength and deep devotion to her family, died Sunday afternoon following a multi-vehicle crash in the Kingston community of Birmingham. The woman who once held her dying grandson through his final breath in 2017 has now met a similar fate—taken suddenly, tragically, and far too soon.
Cheryl was rushed to UAB Hospital after the crash, which unfolded sometime early Sunday afternoon. Despite the best efforts of first responders and hospital staff, she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at 3:09 p.m., just hours after the collision. She was 62 years old.
The Accident
According to Birmingham Police and preliminary crash reports, multiple vehicles were involved in the collision, which occurred near a busy stretch of roadway in Kingston. Details remain limited, but it is known that Cheryl was one of several individuals impacted. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, and authorities have not yet released information on whether any charges or citations will be issued. Witnesses reported a chaotic scene, with twisted metal, shattered glass, and a swift arrival of ambulances and emergency personnel.
Several others were treated at the scene, but Cheryl’s injuries proved too severe. Loved ones say they were notified shortly after the crash and raced to the hospital, only to learn that the woman who had been the emotional anchor of their family had slipped away.
A Heart Marked by Grief, a Life Filled With Grace
Cheryl Denise Irby was no stranger to heartbreak. In 2017, she stood vigil beside her young grandson, holding his hand and whispering words of comfort as he passed away in a local hospital. Friends recall that moment as one that changed her forever—but also revealed the depth of her compassion and resilience.
“She never left his side,” said longtime friend Marsha Cain. “She was the kind of woman who carried her family’s pain on her shoulders, and somehow kept going. She gave love even when her heart was breaking.”
Cheryl, a native of Birmingham, had dedicated her life to family. She raised her children with quiet determination, worked multiple jobs to make ends meet, and later became a grandmother who was as nurturing as she was wise. She spent time volunteering at her church, cooking for neighbors in need, and offering a listening ear to anyone who felt alone.
“She believed in healing,” said her daughter, Lisa Irby. “Even after we lost [her grandson], she kept showing up for others. She never let bitterness take root. She loved with everything she had.”
A Family Shattered Again
The Irby family is now reeling from the second profound loss in less than a decade. Friends and loved ones have gathered at the family home in Birmingham’s East Lake neighborhood, offering prayers, food, and condolences. The grief is palpable—a mixture of disbelief and sorrow that Cheryl, a matriarch of grace, is gone.
“She was the glue,” said family friend Jordan Rivers. “She had already walked through fire, and now to lose her like this—it’s just devastating. There’s no way to prepare for something like this.”
Funeral arrangements are underway, and the family is expected to host a public memorial service later this week. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover burial expenses and to support Cheryl’s remaining grandchildren, whom she helped care for daily.
A Legacy of Love and Quiet Strength
Though her time was cut short, Cheryl Denise Irby leaves behind a legacy of resilience, compassion, and selfless love. She was a woman shaped by grief, but not defined by it—a woman who turned pain into purpose, and sorrow into strength for the sake of others.
As Birmingham traffic flows once again through the streets of Kingston, those who knew Cheryl feel the silence left in her absence. Her chair sits empty at the family table, but her presence is etched in every story shared, every memory recalled, and every act of kindness she inspired.
“She left this world the way she lived in it,” her daughter said. “Giving love until her very last breath.”
If you witnessed the crash or have any information that may assist with the investigation, please contact the Birmingham Police Department’s Traffic Homicide Unit.