Phyllis Graham

Phyllis Graham, 91, of Grinnell, died at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell. Interment will be at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell.

The family will receive friends at the visitation held from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Monday, March 9, 2026.

Memorials may be designated to the Ronald Graham Memorial Scholarship Fund and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with Phyllis' family online at www.smithfh.com.

Phyllis Darlene Kirby Graham was born the daughter of Joseph and Alma Weaver Kirby on November 2, 1934. She attended grade schools in Gilman and Grinnell before moving to Newburg in 1945. She graduated from Newburg High School with the Class of 1953.

On December 5, 1954, she was united in marriage to Vernon Roy Graham at the Newburg Church. To this union were born their children, David Roy and Ronald Lee. The couple lived on their farm in Chester Township.

Phyllis was a member of the Newburg–Chester Church. She also was a member of Sonora Grange for many years. She enjoyed crocheting and made afghans for family members.

Phyllis is survived by her son, David (Debra) Graham of Grinnell; daughter-in-law, Mary VanZee; three granddaughters, Laura (Jason Harmer) Graham, Patricia (Cody) Stoaks, and Sami Graham; three great-grandchildren, Skylor, Lilly, and Sophia; her great-great-grandson, Nicolas Rafael Stoaks; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Muriel Phipps, Marvel Adams, and Wanda Gray; four brothers, Dennis, Gerald, Bernard, and Rex; a grandson who died in infancy; her son Ronald, who died of cancer at the age of 46; and her husband, Vernon.