Inez Reid Smith; Ventura Was Her Middle Name

Inez Reid Smith, who was the first baby born in Ventura in 1912, died Sunday following a brief illness. She was 85.

When she was born Jan. 2, Smith’s parents gave their daughter the middle name “Ventura.” Smith, who stopped using the name after she married, remained in her native city, where she raised a son.

“She was a wonderful woman,” said her son, Richard L. Klemm Sr. of Ventura. “She loved animals, she loved her grandchildren, and people loved her. She had a lot of friends.”

Smith enjoyed gardening and also wrote poetry. A lifelong member of the American Legion Auxiliary, she won national awards from the organization for her verse, Klemm said.

“I’m thinking of having one of my daughters gather her poems into a book, so we can have them to remember her,” he said.

Smith was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary.

In addition to Klemm, Smith is survived by eight grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

Friends may visit from 2 to 7 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday. Graveside funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.

Arrangements are under the care of Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home in Ventura.