Virginia Rose Whittington

Virginia Rose Whittington, 86, passed away on July 8, 2026.

Born on May 23, 1940, in Columbia, SC, Virginia grew up in Florence, SC. She was the daughter of the late Mary Hester and J. Graham Rose and the beloved niece of the late Virginia Roper of Atlanta, GA.

Virginia graduated from McClenaghan High School in Florence in 1958 and earned her bachelor's degree from Queens College (now University) in Charlotte, NC, in 1962. She began her teaching career in Charlotte, where she taught English for two years.

In 1964, she married Curtis Whittington of Florence. As an Army family, they were stationed in Germany, where their first daughter, Gray, was born in 1966. They were also stationed in Alabama and Arizona. After returning to Florence, their second daughter, Amy, was born in 1969. Later that year, the family moved to Millville, PA, where Virginia began a long and distinguished career teaching high school English at Millville Jr./Sr. High School. While teaching, she earned a master’s degree in English from Bloomsburg University.

Teaching was her passion. An avid reader with a deep love for literature, she was known for her quick wit, high standards, and genuine care for her students. Whether encouraging thoughtful discussions of Shakespeare, Melville, and Steinbeck or humorously warning students not to laugh during a classmate's speech or become distracted by activities outside the classroom window, Virginia left a lasting impression on generations of students. Countless former students told her and her family that her guidance and encouragement were part of their success in life. For her former students: if you still have the letter she encouraged you to write to your future self and then mailed back to you a decade later, pull it out, read it again, and think of her.

Virginia built lifelong friendships wherever she went through her gift for conversation and connection. She maintained close ties with friends from the Florence “13,” Queens College, her ADPi sorority, military life, and the Millville community. As an only child, those friendships were especially meaningful, and some friends became family in every sense of the word. We are deeply grateful for those enduring relationships and the important role they continue to play in our own lives.

Following her retirement in 1996, Virginia enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends from all over. She took great pride in her role as “Cally Cat Mom Mom” and treasured the bond she shared with her granddaughter, Olivia. Nothing brought her greater joy than celebrating the accomplishments and milestones of her children, her friends, and especially Olivia. Even though she lived far away, she was present for every dance recital, Grandfriend’s Day, and many sporting events. Olivia loved spending summers at Camp Mom Mom in Millville, creating memories much like those her mom and aunt cherished growing up.

Virginia is survived by her daughters, Gray Maklary of Sumter, SC, and Amy Whittington of Dacula, GA; and her granddaughter, Olivia Maklary Clark (Brenden) of Greer, SC. She is also survived by two special nieces, Ashley Gregory Smith (Chris) and Jenny Gregory Hambrecht.

A celebration of Virginia’s life will be held in Florence, SC, on September 26, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Waters-Powell Funeral Home, followed by a graveside service at Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitation will be from noon–2 p.m. at the funeral home.

A second celebration of life will be held in July 2027, at Mill-Green United Methodist Church in Millville, PA, for her Pennsylvania friends, former students, and community members.