Iris Smith Venable Powell

Iris Smith Venable Powell, 102, of Wentworth went to be with the Lord Friday August 1, 2025 at Annie Penn Hospital after a short illness.

Funeral services will be conducted 2:00 P.M. Monday August 4, 2025 at Calvary Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. J. Michael Simmons officiating. Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Gardens. The family will see friends 1:00 till 2:00 P.M. Monday at the church before the service and other times at the home of her daughter Marilyn.

A native of Rockingham County, she was the youngest child of the late Martin Luther and Rosa Hill Smith and had lived most of her life in Wentworth. She was appointed as the Postmaster of Wentworth by President Dwight D. Eisenhower and was approved by the Senate and Postmaster General. Iris served as Postmaster of Wentworth for 32 years. She was a Girl Scout Leader during the 1950’s, a 4-H Leader from the 1960’s to the 1980’s, a Youth Sunday School Teacher at Wentworth Presbyterian Church and later at Calvary Baptist Church, a member of the Lillian Talley Circle at Calvary, and a member of the Rockingham County Historical Society. Iris received multiple awards as an outstanding 4-H Leader and the club which she represented was also recognized as outstanding numerous times.

Wentworth’s town charter was re-activated by the legislature in 1998, and, after the interim Town Council defined in the new charter completed its tenure, Iris was one of the top five vote recipients in the 1999 municipal election. She was sworn to serve on the first elected Town Council in December of 1999. After each successive term until 2021, she was re-elected. At age 98, Iris decided not to seek re-election. She may very well be the oldest elected official in the State of North Carolina possibly the United States.

She was preceded in death by her husbands: Lewis Camden Venable and Carl Moyer Powell, her sisters: Grace Smith, Evelyn Smith, Josephine “Jo” Smith Gunn, Frances Smith Jones, her brother Carl W. Smith, and her son-in-law Mike Frazier.

Survivors include her daughters: Marilyn Venable Reagan, and Cindy Powell Frazier both of Reidsville, her son: Don Mark Powell of Wentworth, grandson: Timothy Wade Reagan, Jr., great grandsons: Hunter Reagan and his wife Ashley and Luk Reagan, and a special niece: Sandra Jones Simmons and her husband Rev. Dr. J. Michael Simmons.

Memorials may be sent to: Calvary Baptist Church 7860 NC Hwy 87 Reidsville, NC  27320

Citty Funeral Home is assisting the Powell family.

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