Iris Smith Aldridge

KINSTON - Iris Aldridge, born December 25, 1926, passed away peacefully at Kitty Askins Hospice Center on January 9, 2021 at the age of 94.
Born to Heber and Lena Smith, she was the only surviving child out of eight children. This coupled with sharing her birthday with our Savior, Iris was always aware of a special purpose for her life from an early age.
She was a Charter Member of the Deep Run First Baptist church which she served as a devoted member in various capacities throughout her life. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She held BS and MS degrees from East Carolina University in Home Economics Education and Guidance Counseling and an MS degree from UNC-Greensboro in Home Economics. Her career included teaching life skills at Caswell Center and home economics at Dover High School and Deep Run High School. She also served as a Guidance Counselor at South Lenoir High School before she was promoted to Academic Director for the Lenoir County School System. Throughout this period of time, she was a strong supporter of Cooperative Extension and a proud 4-H volunteer leader. After retiring from the public school system in Lenoir County with 30 years of service, she worked for East Carolina University as a teacher intern advisor serving the needs of teachers across the southeast region of North Carolina. She also taught Effective Teaching Training for both Pitt Community College and Lenoir Community College until 2006 at the age of 80 when she retired to a more leisurely life. Despite this retirement, she remained active in her church and community. Her life and her life's work reflect her strong purpose in life to share God's love, His gospel, and to help lift others up through educational opportunity. Throughout her 94 years she had a positive impact on many lives.
She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great great grandmother who is immensely loved by her family. She provided each of us a shining example of faith through every circumstance and love through every difficulty. She enjoyed her fellowship and friendships through church and breaking bread with many friends at her favorite restaurant, Kings. In her final years, she exhibited such grace.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Heber Smith and Lena Spain Smith; seven siblings; her husband of 56 years, Carl Francis Aldridge; mother-in-law, Lathie Aldridge; son, Heber Carl Aldridge; son-in-law, C.W. "Bill" White, Jr.; daughter-in-law, Sandra Everington Aldridge, and a precious granddaughter, Leah Kristen Aldridge.
Survivors include her daughters, Jeanne A. White of Summerville, SC and Lorelei A. Jones (Roland) of Garner, NC; daughter-in-law, Mary Aldridge; grandchildren, Lisa Wilson (Warren), Sonya Callaway (John), Jennifer Selph (Derrick), Beth Seymour (Allen), Melissa Joyner (Raymond), Heber Aldridge, II (Jenna), Ashley O'Quinn and fiancé, Todd Brinkley, Ryan Jones, Jefferson Riley O'Quinn and fiancé Jennifer Lenart; great grandchildren, Kristen Quilty (Michael), Kaitlin Forrester, Ian Callaway, Caroline Callaway, Lydia Selph, Lucas Selph, Seth Seymour, MacKinzie Seymour, Jennabeth Joyner, Jonas Joyner, Nolan Joyner, Hayden Porter, Scarlett O'Quinn; and great great grandchild, Oakley Quilty. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and special cousins and her very best friend in life, Leah Harper, each of whom she loved very much.
The family would like to acknowledge Kathy Stroud, Pam Mozingo, Maria Serafin, Angela Adams, and Olivia Brown for their loving care and friendship to our mother and grandmother. You filled her life by allowing her to share her stories and sharing yours with her.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 14, 2021 at Westview Cemetery in Kinston, NC with Reverend Dave Fishman officiating. The family asks that everyone wear a mask and practice social distancing.
Iris loved flowers, but she also loved her church and education. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to Deep Run First Baptist Church- Iris S. Aldridge educational scholarship.
Howard-Carter Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
On-line condolences may be sent to howardandcarter.com.