Samuel Irby

IRBY, Samuel Anthony, 94, of Newton, N.C., passed away May 15, 2011 at Abernethy Laurels in Newton, N.C. Born November 12, 1916, in Halifax County, Va., formerly of Richmond, Va., and Baltimore, Md., he was the son of the late Luther and Loulie Arendall Irby. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Luther A. Irby Jr., T. Floyd Irby Sr. and J. Ferman Irby Sr. He is survived by his wife, Virginia Hoyle Irby. Mr. Irby retired from The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Baltimore Branch, in 1975 as branch auditor and then The First National Bank of Maryland, Baltimore, as a trust officer in 1982. While living in Baltimore, he was active in several professional organizations: president of the Baltimore Chapter of the Bank Administration Institute and the Institute of Internal Auditors and two years as state director for B.A.I. He was awarded the professional designation as a Certified Internal Auditor. Mr. Irby was a past member of the National Association of Accountants, Advertising Club of Baltimore and the Sertoma Club of Richmond. Mr. Irby was a veteran of World War II, having served in the African and European theaters as a combat Glider Pilot, receiving several awards, two of which were the Bronze Star and two Air Medals. The Netherlands government authorized him to wear its Orange Lanyard, which is the highest Dutch Order for Valor. Mr. Irby was also a member of the American Legion Post 16, World War II Pilots Association. Mr. Irby received an honorary degree from the University of Richmond in 2003. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Benevolent Trust Fund, Abernethy Laurels, 102 Leonard Avenue, Newton, N.C. 28658, or the Helping Hands Fund of First United Methodist Church of Newton, P.O. Box 926, Newton, N.C. 28658. Condolences may be sent to the Irby family at www.drumfuneralhome.com.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.