Mary "Romain" Witherow

Mary "Romain" Irvin Witherow, 95 of Iva, South Carolina passed away on June 17, 2025. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother, with 5 generations in the family.

Born in Wytheville, Virginia, she was the daughter of late Hugh Jackson and Elsie Elizabeth Hilton Irvin. As a child, the Irvin family relocated to Merrifield, VA. While in high school, she met her future husband Calvert Witherow in 1945. She graduated Fairfax High School in 1947. They married on November 15, 1947 at Bruin Chapel UMC, Merrifield, VA. With the arrival of two sons, Bob and Greg, a house was purchased on Woodford Road, Vienna, VA.

Romain began a career in the Federal Government. She worked in both the Department of Agriculture and the US Forest Service in various positions. She was the Secretary to the Director of Personnel for the United States Forest Service until her retirement in 1984.

Romain Witherow most definitely enjoyed sports. She would be cheering on her sons, Bob and Greg through their youth. She attended her grandchildren and great grandchildren games for baseball, softball and soccer events.

The Washington Redskins football was her favorite team. She was a season ticket holder and attended 3 Super Bowl games. When our city, finally got a baseball team again, the Washington Nationals, she became a TV season ticket holder to watch as many games through the year. Romain and Calvert both enjoyed bowling both Duck Pin and Ten Pin leagues from the 1960-2010.

Shortly after the passing of her husband, Romain relocated to Iva, South Carolina to be near her brother and sister-in-law. She loved the warmer climate down south.

Romain was preceded by death by her husband, of over 52 years Calvert E Witherow, her parents’ Hugh Jackson and Elsie Elizabeth Hilton Irvin, siblings Robert E Irvin, Hugh James Irvin, Patricia Irvin Vincent, Christine Irvin Hibbs Cram, Herbert Trigg Irvin and sister-in law Pat Sparshott Irvin.

Survivors include her sons Bob Witherow (Debbie); and Greg (Ellen). Grandmother of Jonathan (Michele), Adam (Jessie), Nicole (Andrew) Liehr, Rebecca “Becky” Witherow, Alexandra “Lexy” (Blake) Conley, Stephen (Abbie) Witherow.

Great Grandmother of:

Trevor Martin, Samantha Schaeffer, Jayden Witherow Ritz, Landon Witherow Ritz, Conrad Liehr, Charlotte Witherow, Emma Conley, Natalie Liehr, Lucas Witherow, Lacy Witherow, John Jackson “JJ” Conley, Freddie Witherow, Ralph Witherow, Jonathan Witherow Jr, and Jace Witherow.

Great-Great Grandmother of:

Bennett Martin

She is survived by brother-in law Michael Vincent with many cousins, nieces and nephews.

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Funeral:

Saturday, July 5, 2025

National Memorial Park and Funeral Home

7482 Lee Highway

Falls Church, VA 22042

www.nationalfh-mp.com

Visitation: 10:00 am-12:00 pm Chapel

Funeral Service: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Chapel

Reception: 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Reception Hall

Burial: 2:30 pm Gravesite

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In lieu of Flowers, Memorials for Romain Witherow may be given to:

Alzheimer’s Association

www.alz.org (800) 272-3900

225 N Michigan Avenue Floor 17

Chicago, IL 60601

Rainey Hospice of the Upstate

www.hodpiceoftheupstate.com

1835 Rogers Road

Anderson, SC 29621

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Funeral Arrangements by:

1) McDougald Funeral Home, Anderson, SC 29621

2) National Memorial Park and Funeral Home, Falls Church, VA 22042