To many, reading a short one-sentence synopsis of Irene Schoene's life

would seem unremarkable. Schoene is married, has three children, lives in

Fayetteville, is active in her church and is a

Realtor. However, toss in the details of her life

and Schoene shines.

At age 74, Irene Schoene is one of the top Realtors in Fayette County. Still

active and going non-stop, she says that someday she may retire.

Considering the competitive, nature of the real estate profession, it is

remarkable that the mention of Schoene's name consistently evokes smiles and praise

from her peers. Rosemary Beebe, a fellow Realtor at Re/Max summed up the

favorable comments, "Irene is a fine, caring and patient person. She gives so

much value for the money she earns and addresses the concerns of those she

works for, no matter what."

"Some of Irene's outstanding qualities are her totally unselfish attitude in

helping other agents, office staff and

others," said Barbara Peason, broker and

owner of Re/Max Around Atlanta. "Her very positive personality is always

coupled with her smiling face!"

A quick look around Irene's office provides a visible example of the level

of service she gives. The office walls are lined with the awards she has

earned while working with Re/Max for the past 14 years. She is in the 100 Percent

Club, the Lifetime Million Dollar Club and in the Re/Max Hall of Fame. She has

earned the coveted Phoenix Award from the Fayette County Board of Realtors.

Like many in Fayette County, Shoene is a transplant, being born and raised

in Mulberry Grove, Ill., where her dad ran the local grocery store. "Mulberry

Grove was located in Fayette County, Illinois and now I live in Fayette County.

Mulberry was originally called Shakerag, which is a well-known name in this

area," she said, commenting on the

coincidences and parallels in her life.

According to Schoene, "When you got out of high school back then, you had

two choices. You got married or went to the big city of St. Louis. I went to St. Louis."

After graduating from high school in 1942, she attended Brown's

Business College. After graduation, she went to work for Missouri Pacific Railroad in

reservations. While in college she was introduced to her future husband, Karl.

The pair met, courtesy of the owner of the barbershop located next to her

father's grocery store. The owner was in the reserves and knew Karl who was in

the Navy. The couple dated through her years in college and her first job. When he

was shipped out, she moved to Boston to be near him. They were married in

1944, recently celebrating their 54th anniversary.

After completing his tour in the military, Karl went to work for

Pitney-Bowes in Stamford, Conn., as a training

instructor. The family lived in Missouri, Kansas, Texas, Connecticut and finally

settled in Fayetteville, Ga., in 1981. When Karl retired, the couple chose to stay.

Irene laughed, "My husband is a packrat. It's too difficult to move now." She also

noted the "great neighborhood" as an

added incentive to settle.

Irene is understandably proud of her three children. Her son Gary is vice

president of United American Sales, living in Houston, Texas. He is married to

Sharon and has three girls, their daughter Lisa and twin daughters, Chelsea and

Christina, 10, and a son, Mike, 7. Daughter Linda works for the Astrodome

booking conventions, parties and other events. She is married to a podiatrist, Dr.

Kirk Koepsel and has two children, Kevin and Katie. Daughter Jan Blaink and her

husband are both chiropractors. The couple have two children, Carrie, 12, and

Andrew, 10.

"I raised my children to be self-sufficient, to exist without me," Irene

quipped. "I guess I overdid myself, they live

in Kentucky and Texas."

When asked what she considered to be her greatest accomplishment, she

didn't mention her work or her work with the local church. She immediately stated,

"I raised a good family who're all doing well."

Prior to starting her career in real estate 20 years ago, Irene's family was

a central focus. While raising her children and through the many moves,

Schoene volunteered and worked as a paid employee for the Camp Fire Girls.

During her 20 years with the Camp Fire Girls, she was a Leader, a temporary

Executive Director plus she trained adults and

children for the organization.

When her last child, Jan, started college, "I decided it was time to do

something for me. It turned out I was good at selling real estate, so I stayed with

it." When she first earned her real estate license, things were different. She lived

in Connecticut where the market was substantially different than the current

market in Fayette County. "There were no new houses, the interest rates were

much higher so it was more difficult to qualify people."

When the Schoene's were transferred to Georgia and moved to Fayette

County, Irene initially worked for Jan Trammel Realty. After three years, she moved

to what is now known as Re/Max Around Atlanta All Stars, Inc. in

Fayetteville. With Re/Max, Schoene is considered

an "independent agent," which means she pays a monthly fee for her office and

other ammenities, but she is able to keep all of her commissions. "If you're a

self-starter, this is the way to go," she noted.

Talk to anyone in her office and they will tell you she is definitely a self-starter.

In addition to a non-stop work schedule, the Schoene's are actively

involved in their church, Prince of Peace Lutheran on Ga. Highway 314 in Fayetteville.

The two are original members of the church and have watched it grow to a

membership of over 700. They are currently involved in the church's expansion

project. Karl is a "Stephens Minister,"

visiting shut-ins and acting as a care-giver.

When queried about her hobbies she chuckled, "You don't have time for

hobbies when you work in real estate. You don't have any time of your own."

She did note that she liked to visit her children and take an occasional cruise.

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