Jean Marie Wharton

Late the morning of July 22, 2025, in Falls Church, Virginia, Jean Marie Wharton slipped away peacefully from this world. She was born on Mother’s Day, May 10, 1970, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, while her father, stationed in Thailand, was flying reconnaissance over North Vietnam. She was the youngest of the six children of John Francis Wharton (Sr.) and Loretta Marie Picozzi Wharton, who called Jean her adorable child.

Jean graduated from Irmo High School’s Special Education department, Irmo, South Carolina, in 1991 and later worked at the Mariott hotel in Columbia, South Carolina, in the laundry department. Thereafter, she attended and graduated from Stewart Home & School in Frankfort, Kentucky. At the time of her death, she had been living at Heming House, a group home managed by the Hartwood Foundation, Inc., in Springfield, Virginia, but was a resident of Columbia, South Carolina.

She was a big fan of World Wide Wrestling and especially wrestlers, Roman Reigns, John Cena, Stone Cold Steve Austin and Seth Rollins. Wonder Woman was her hero and when she wore anything related to Wonder Woman, she became Wonder Woman. Jean was a special child and adult, full of love and smiles. She had a great sense of humor and loved to engage people. Jean loved small children, animals, the color purple and anything that contained glitter, sparkles or rhinestones.

She was predeceased by her father, Major (US Air Force Retired) John Francis Wharton, Sr.

She is survived by her mother, Loretta Marie Picozzi Wharton; sister, Lorraine Patricia Wharton Whitener Small, Esq (Charles Inness Small) of Columbia, SC; brothers, Major General (US Army Retired) John Francis Wharton, Jr. (Rebekah Lynn) of Alexandria, Virginia; Christopher Joseph Wharton (Marian Brigman) of Warner Robins, Georgia; Lt. Colonel (US Army Retired) Thomas Gregg Wharton (Ruth Xu) of Ruckersville, Virginia; Dr. James Robert Wharton (Dawn Tweed) of Louisville, Kentucky; nieces and nephews, Lt. John Paul Wharton and Katherine Elizabeth Wharton; Christopher Joseph Wharton, Jr., Jake Pope (Tiana Ortiz), and Cayton Pope (Ryan Green); Bailey Nicole Wharton Tran (Alex) and Avonlea Grace Wharton; Great nephews, Jesse Daniel Wharton and Oliver Abel Green.

Private family visitation, memorial service and burial were held Saturday, August 2, 2025 at Dunbar Funeral Home (Devine Street) and Elmwood Cemetery. The family is grateful for Dunbar’s compassionate services, and is grateful to Reverend Monsignor Richard Harris of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church for having performed the service and blessings.