Iris Virginia Smith

Iris Virginia Smith, 95, died on September 6, 2012 at Wesley Woods following a brief illness. Mrs. Smith was born on January 7, 1917 in Russell County, Virginia to Arthur Lee Dye and Winifred Mitchell Dye. She was the fifth of eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Dye, and the last of their children to be born in Virginia. When Mrs. Smith was an infant the family moved to Helen, Georgia, where her father worked for Morris Brothers Lumber Company. As a child, she loved living in the mountains with her many brothers and sisters. After graduating from Nacoochee Valley High School, Mrs. Smith attended Young Harris College, where she was a member of the girls' basketball team. She also attended the University of Georgia, Tulane University, and West Georgia College, where she received a degree in early childhood education. She returned to Helen to teach at Helen Grammar School, and later met her future husband, Edgar Kidd Smith. They married on July 1, 1939, and at the time of his death on July 29, 2003, Iris and Ed had been married for 65 years. Ed Smith's career with the U S Government gave him and Iris the opportunity to travel extensively and live abroad. They lived in Japan from 1957 until 1959, and in France from 1962 until 1967, not only experiencing many wonderful memories, but also making dozens of lifelong friends. Although they had no children of their own, they were the favorite aunt and uncle to many nieces and nephews and were known affectionately as "Aunt Iris and Uncle Ed" not only to family, but also to many family friends as well. One of the greatest memories shared by many was a trip to "The Camp", their cabin on the lake on Lake Martin in Alabama where "Aunt Iris and Uncle Ed" enjoyed teaching their young guest to fish, water ski and play cards. Mrs. Smith was a long time member of the Newnan First United Methodist Church and the Driftwood Garden Club. She also enjoyed being a Girl Scout leader. In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Smith is preceded in death by her brothers, Charles Donald "Jack" Dye, Garnet Lee Dye, Kermit Andrew Dye, and sisters, Dorothy Mitchell Parsons and Geraldine Carlisle. She is survived by brother, Arthur Hugh "Buster" Dye and sister, Naydine Johnson and her husband Ed, brothers-in-law, John Smith and his wife Ruth, and Wesley Smith and his wife Peggy, as well as many nieces and nephews and their families. Condolences can be expressed online at www.mckoon.com The family would like to thank Mrs. Smith's many wonderful caregivers at both Wesley Woods and Avalon for their kindness and devotion shown to this special lady. The funeral is Sunday, September 9, 2012 at 2:15 PM graveside at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Newnan. The visitation is Sunday between 12:30 & 2:00 PM at McKoon Funeral Home, 38 Jackson St., Newnan. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Newnan First United Methodist Church, 33 Greenville St., Newnan, GA. 30263 McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory 770-253-4580

Iris Virginia Smith

January 7, 1917 - September 6, 2012