Dorothy Whirley Grow

Dorothy Whirley Grow, 91, of Amherst, Virginia, passed away on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at Westminster Canterbury of Lynchburg. She was the wife of Lloyd G. Grow, to whom she was married for 65 years. Born in West Virginia, she was the daughter of the late William and Isabel Whirley of Loudoun County.

Dorothy retired from Wailes Department Store, where she worked for approximately 30 years. She was an active member of Amherst Baptist Church for over 50 years, where she served as a Sunday school teacher, librarian, and a member of numerous committees. Her most cherished work was helping manage the Clothes Closet, which provided clothing for those in need in Amherst. Dorothy enjoyed both traveling and staying home, but especially supporting the family’s many sporting events. Her faith, family, and friends brought her great joy. She had a servant’s heart and prepared thousands of dishes for friends and neighbors in Amherst County in their time of joy and need. Miraculously, she could recite everyone's favorite dish and knew just when to prepare it for them.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd Grow, two sisters (Mary Lou Campbell and Helen Cook), and two brothers (David Whirley and Lewis Whirley). Dorothy is survived by her three children, Peggy Pollard (Larry), Deborah Grow, and Michael Grow (Alice), one sister, Barbara Cochran (Bill), one brother, Bill Whirley (Jane); eight grandchildren, Christopher Pollard (Stephanie), Stacey Burford (Damon), Lauren Pearson (Griffin), Andrew Pollard, Mashu Murao (Yui), Maya Murao, Sanshiro Murao, and Ian Grow; seven great-grandchildren, Nicole Pollard, Thomas Pollard, Brady Pollard, Thatcher Pearson, Arden Pearson, Otoha Murao, Yushiro Murao, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

The family wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Westminster Canterbury, who became as close as family. There are no words to express the tremendous care she received there.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Westminster Christmas Fund.

Services will be conducted in Loudoun County, where her husband and other family members are buried.