Irwin, Rosa Ella McNew

Mrs. Rosa Ella McNew Irwin, 79, passed away on March 16, 2008 at Heritage Hall Health Care in Blacksburg Virginia.

Mrs. Irwin was raised in Glade Spring, Va. She graduated from Radford College. Mrs. Irwin retired from the Montgomery County school system after 34 years of teaching.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles Cicero McNew and Ella Howe Kelly McNew, and one brother, Charles Elmer McNew. Mrs. Irwin is survived by her husband, Harold W. Irwin, of Blacksburg; one son, Kris Irwin and wife, Patricia, Lynchburg, Va.; one daughter, Jo Johnson and husband, Jere, Christiansburg, Va.; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

A graveside service for Mrs. Irwin will be held on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 1 p.m. at the Mount Rose Cemetery in Glade Spring, Va., with the Rev. John Massey, Jr. officiating. Those wishing to attend the service are asked to assemble at the cemetery by 12:45 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to either The Alzheimer’s Association, 207 N. Boone Street, SU 1050, Johnson City, TN 37604, or the Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad, 200 Progress Street NE, Blacksburg, VA 24060. Those wishing to share memories or express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com.The Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA, is serving the family of Mrs. Rosa Ella McNew Irwin.