Mary Lou Hayes Irwin (2024)

She was born March 11, 1939, in Elkins, a daughter of the late Lawrence and Kathleen Isner Hayes. On June 18, 1960, she married the love of her life, Frederick Lawrence “Fred” Irwin, who preceded her in death. They celebrated 52 years of marriage.

She is survived by seven children, two sons, Greg Irwin of Valley Bend and Tim Irwin of Latta, South Carolina; five daughters, Tammy Anderson and husband, Jack, of Elkins, Brenda Carr and husband, Terry, of Elkins, Kathy Weese and husband, Leo, of Elkins, Beth Long and husband, Joe, of Tigheview and Cyndee Dilly and husband, Shawn, of Elkins. Eighteen grandchildren, Joshua McDowell of Great Falls, Montana, Miranda Shaffer and husband, Justin of Germany, Mallory Painter and husband, Phil, of Martinsburg, Brant Carr of Martinsburg, Ethan Carr and wife, Clarissa, of Elkins, William Irwin and wife, Jessie, of Belington, Torie Wingfield and husband, Cam, of Valley Bend, Mikayah Irwin of Elkins, Gary Brown of Elkins, Samantha Casas and husband, Robert, of Lubbock, Texas, Kaleb Irwin of Latta, South Carolina, Mary Beth Long and fiancee, Brandon, of Pensacola, Florida, Marissa Jenner and husband, Austin, of Martinsburg, Sommer Beane and husband, Joey, of Ripley, Dylan Dilly of Harrisonburg, Virginia, Levi Dilly of Martinsburg, Amy Hopkins and husband, Jonathan, of Morgantown, and Cindy Brown of Elkins; 17 great-grandchildren, Jacqie McDowell of Turkey, Carter McDowell of Great Falls, Montana, Gavin and Ariella Brown of Elkins, Brayden, Amara, Daniella, and Samuel Casas of Lubbock, Texas, Jillian, Liam and Amelia Shaffer of Germany, Gannon Wingfield of Valley Bend, Landon Carr of Elkins, Asher, Abigail and Josiah Hopkins of Morgantown, and Matthew Beane of Ripley; two sisters, Mildred “Middy” Bower and husband, Harold, of Old Fort, North Carolina, and Rebecca “Becky” Hayes and husband, Manouchehr Naderpour, of Waynesville, Virginia; brothers-in-law, Gary Irwin and wife, Rosemary, of True and James Irwin of Gap Mills.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers, Jimmy “Gabby” Hayes and George Hayes; sister, Betty Crickard; and her twin sister, Martha Sue Lloyd; and her aunt, Margaret Flanagan.

Mary Lou was a Christian by faith and graduated from Elkins High School in 1957. She worked at the Grant’s candy counter where she met Fred, who originally came for the candy and walked out knowing he had found his forever sweetheart. As they began their family, she took on, perhaps, the greatest role of her life as she became a mother. Though Mary Lou had seven children of her own, there are countless others who claimed her as their second mother and grandmother over the years.

The door to her home was always open with love and laughter waiting to meet all who entered. She was a friend to all and absolutely cherished the time she spent in several local organizations that she was a member of. Most notably she was an original member of the Creative Homemaker’s Club for 58 years! She was also a member of Red Hat Happy Hatters, the Purple Majesties, GFWC Women’s Club and a lifetime member of the Elkins High School Alumni Association.

Mary Lou had a green thumb and hardly ever met a plant that she couldn’t nurture, always took pride in her yard, and was even once selected as the Emma Scott Garden Club Yard of the Month. It was no secret that purple was her favorite color as it could be seen in everything from her wardrobe to her Christmas tree.

She loved her weekly hair appointments to catch up on all the happenings of the town and also enjoyed the time spent with her friends playing Pokeno.

There was truly nothing in this world that Mary Lou enjoyed more than spending time with her family. Whether it was at one of the many holiday or birthday parties thrown at her home over the years, lunch dates at the local Chinese restaurants, watching game shows, camping trips to Lake Moomaw, playing cards, bargain hunting, shopping until she dropped, and traveling wherever the wind and family took her.

She loved her family fiercely and it was never about what they were doing, but simply the fact that they were experiencing it together.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, at the Tomblyn Funeral Home in Elkins. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 16, from the funeral home chapel with James Irwin officiating. Interment will follow at the American Legion’s Little Arlington Cemetery near Cravensdale.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Elkins High School Alumni Association, P. O. Box 782, Elkins, WV 26241 in memory of Mary Lou or simply spend a day as Mary Lou would wish for you all–with a loved one.

The Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins is in charge of the arrangements for Mary Lou Hayes Irwin.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.tomblynfuneralhome.com.