Teresa Ann Irby

Teresa Ann Martin Irby, 53, of Gladys, Virginia, left this world way too soon on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. Teresa, who perhaps more often responded to “Mom,” is survived by her only child, daughter Sarah Irby, who was the light of her life. She is also survived by her husband of 27 years, Joseph Irby; two older siblings, John Martin of Madison Heights and Deborah Lane of Monroe; nieces Brandy Lane, Dixie Martin and Savannah Martin; and a number of beloved pets, including her devilish but doting chihuahua, Honeybear, who was literally her second child.

Teresa was born in Lynchburg, Virginia on September 2, 1967 to her loving parents, Albert Berry Martin, Jr. and Irene Odell Mays Martin. She was a beautiful soul from the very beginning – both kind and loving. She asked God to save her after a church revival on May 14, 1982.

Teresa was well-known in downtown Lynchburg, where she spent a decade working at Revco, later named CVS. Years later, she often saw people she knew from that time while out and about, and she wouldn’t hesitate to say hello. Her daughter often fussed that she knew everybody. After leaving CVS, she spent more than 10 years working at her daughter’s schools - Gladys Elementary and William Campbell Combined – as the “lunch lady.” For years, she watched as students grew up from little children into young adults, with many of them always remembering her. She was a memorable person. After she left her job with Campbell County Schools, she continued to do what she has always done: take care of people. Up until the end, she was taking care of other people’s loved ones, as well as her own, giving them all the help and attention they could ever need. Teresa was the most fierce, strong and hardworking woman you could ever meet. She did whatever she had to do, even if she didn’t feel like it, and she never put herself first.

Teresa was also a shopaholic – a trait she passed on to her daughter, who will very sorely miss all the shopping excursions that could have been but will never be. She particularly loved old things and looking for antiques was a beloved pastime. Saying she was a clean freak would be an understatement; you would never walk into her home with it looking less than immaculate. She was an amazing cook and was particularly well-known for her bomb macaroni and cheese baked in the oven. Her daughter only wishes she had imparted those same skills to her. Teresa loved watching scary movies, and her and her daughter probably watched “The Haunting in Connecticut” and “The Conjuring” franchise about a million times. She also had a deep-rooted love of the original Scooby-Doo which, thankfully, she did impart to her daughter. They spent many a happy moment watching the episodes and movies together. Teresa loved sitting on her newly-built porch with her dogs and helping to take care of the many plants her and her daughter couldn’t seem to stop acquiring. She also loved going for drives in the mountains of Amherst County, where she always felt her heart belonged. More than anything, she loved the time she spent with her child. Teresa was, and is, her biggest supporter; she was proud of everything she did and cherished every single moment, gift, card, and ‘I love you’ shared between them. Her daughter was her proudest accomplishment in life.

Teresa’s family and friends have been left with a deeply painful and heavy loss. Her siblings will always miss their younger sister, and they love her very, very much. Though he thinks she may not have always known it, her husband loved her deeply and will miss her sorely. Teresa was the glue that held everything together in his and their daughter’s lives. She was what made their house a home. Not just any home, but a home full of warmth and love. More than anything, her daughter will miss her smile, her laugh, her hugs and kisses, her beautiful eyes and gentle touch. She will crave her humor, her advice, encouragement, praise and comfort. Just as her child was everything to her, so was she to her daughter.

Teresa was beautiful, both inside and out. She was loved by many and will be missed by many. She leaves a large hole in the world she left behind, but her family takes comfort in knowing she is somewhere even more beautiful now, with her mother and father, and all others who have taken the journey before her. Her daughter hopes that she is now living in the big and beautiful house she always wanted. We love you, Teresa; I love you, Mom. Rest easy; rest in peace.

A memorial service, to celebrate Teresa’s life will be held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, August 29, 2021 at Whitten Monelison Chapel with Richard Bowman officiating.

To send online condolences to the family, please visit www.whittenmonelison.com