Tributes paid to tireless Black Country charity worker
Tributes have been paid to a tireless charity worker who became well known in a Black Country town for her kind-hearted nature.
Iris Reynolds, who was known for her work in the church and community in West Bromwich, has died aged 78.
Ms Reynolds, of Reform Street, West Bromwich, was born on January 11, 1936 and grew up in Lower Trinity Street.
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She attended Greets Green Primary School and George Salter School.
The daughter of a publican, Iris soon developed an interest in helping the community.
She was a member of the local branch of Soroptimist International, a volunteer group which aims to improve the lives of women and girls, and was also a Girl Guide captain at Beeches Road during her formative years.
Having been a member of Moorlands Church for many years, she joined Wesley Methodist Church and took over the Ladies Circle, helping to boost membership from just a handful of ladies to more than 40.
She also became a key figure in the Methodist Homes for the Aged group and was a prolific fundraiser, putting on jumble sales, food bank donations, table top sales and flower festivals.
Thanks to her efforts Wesley Methodist Church was able to install a disabled toilet and improve its community facilities.
In 1976 she became a magistrate, a role she held until 2003.
Iris worked at Dolcis shoe shop, starting out at the Corporation Street branch, before moving on to Erdington and finally West Bromwich, where she became the store's first female manager in 1971.
She retired in 1988, having spent 37 years with the firm.
She never married or had children.
Her friend, Beryl Price, aged 73, from Carter's Green, West Bromwich, said: "She was a very caring and hardworking lady who did a lot for the church and people in the community.
"Iris will be remembered as a good all round person who would do anyone a favour.
"She did so much good work that no one really knew about. She will be greatly missed by so many people," she said.
Iris Reynolds died on December 21, 2014. Her funeral was held at Wesley Methodist Church on January 13.
