Ireal was born July 2, 1941 in Macon, MS to Aaron Griggs and Ruthie Spann. His father and sister, Alma Brock, preceded him in death.
Ireal was baptized as a child and worshipped at Union Chapel CME Church in Macon. When he moved to St. Louis, he joined Gregg Chapel AME Church. He was a faithful worshipper at Crossroads Outreach Christian Ministries from it’s inception in October 2000 to the last service he attended in Sunday, April 19, 2009.
He was educated in the public schools of Macon and St. Louis. After graduating from Sumner High School, he joined the US Marine Corps and later attended Tennessee State University in Nashville, earning a Bachelor of Science degree, the first in his family to become a college graduate.
After completing college, Ireal worked as a substitute teacher with the St. Louis Public Schools system until he was hired by State Farm Insurance Company. He worked at State Farm for 35 years as a Claims Adjuster and Claims Specialist before retiring in 2002.
Ireal often wondered about the origin of his name. It is a third generation family name which some of his family decided was derived from “Israel” in the Bible. It means “soldier of God” and describes how Ireal lived his life, spreading peace and goodwill, always on the frontline of life’s challenges.
Cherishing his memory are his daughter, Natasha “Nikki” Kelly, of Dallas, TX; his mother, Ruthie Binion; his brother, Robert Spann; his sisters, Mary Bates, Delores Jarrett and JoAnn Brown (Matt); his adopted sons, Marcus, Cedric and Steven Love’ a special friend, Mary Love; many nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives and friends.