Irene Wilfong Ross, 83, born in Buckhannon, W.Va., passed away September 9, 2021, surrounded by her loving family.
She is joined in Heaven with her mother, Thelma Smallwood Wilfong, her father, William “Bill” Wilfong and three brothers.
She is survived by her loving husband of 59 wonderful years, Alexander “Alec” M. Ross; her two daughters, Alexis Ross Butcher and husband Emiel of Buckhannon and Gwen Ross Hawkins of Clarksburg, W.Va. She was also the beloved Mamae’ of six grandchildren; Brittany Bennett and husband Matt of Buckhannon, James Hawkins, Alex Hawkins and Charles Hawkins all of Clarksburg, W.Va.; Jordan Butcher and Briana Ward of Danville, Va. and Paige Daniels and husband Drew of Richmond, Va. Irene had four beautiful great-grandchildren whom she adored, Emberlee, Abilene, Nash and Lux. She is also survived by one sister-in-law, Elizabeth “Betsy” Ross. Remaining are a brother, sister and several nieces and nephews.
She graduated from Buckhannon-Upshur High School and was active with her Class of 1956. After graduating, she moved to Greensboro, N.C. to attend business college and worked as a Manager of Sporting Goods in a Sears Distribution Center until she moved back to West Virginia to help her mother care for her two young siblings and her father, during his terminal illness.
Upon return to West Virginia, she worked at WVWC in the Treasurer’s Office working with programs to increase donation funding. While raising her family until retirement, she served as the official Court Reporter for the 26th Judicial Circuit serving Upshur and Lewis counties, W.Va.
She was an accomplished artist, interior decorator, creative cook and phenomenal party planner and host. She drew and painted with oils and watercolors and the family will treasure her paintings forever. She enjoyed listening to her husband’s saxophone quartet, antiquing, boating, travel, sudoku and English comedies.
Friends will be received Thursday, September 16, 2021, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home with Pastor Jimmie Tallman officiating. Burial will follow in the Heavner Cemetery in Buckhannon.
The family respectfully requests that all those attending the services please wear a mask. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided to you.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
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