Rita Holmes Irvin

Rita Holmes Irvin, a lifetime resident of Christiansburg, VA passed away peacefully on February 9, 2023. She was 72 years old. Rita was born on March 25, 1950 to Nathan & Verna Thomas Holmes. Early schooling was done at the Friends Elementary School, Christiansburg Institute and Christiansburg High School. Rita was an amazing, wise, compassionate, yet powerful, force for change and the collective greater good.

She married David Irvin of Pulaski, VA in 1970 as she was finishing up her master’s degree in Education from Radford University. She retired as a Family Literacy Coordinator at Elliston Lafayette Elementary School. Previously she was a classroom teacher for primary and elementary students for over three decades in the Montgomery County Public School System. Rita was an active member of her church and worked with multiple community organizations focused on education, racial & social justice and helping individuals who have been incarcerated.

She leaves behind her daughter, Davina Irvin; brother and sister in-laws; Glen & Michele Holmes, as well as Larry & Donna Irvin; sister-in-law, Darlene Marchbanks; adult nieces and nephews; Charmaine Marchbanks Wells, Michelle Marchbanks, Paul Marchbanks, Jonathan Holmes, Kyanna Holmes and Desirée Holmes. She will be missed by many.

Her Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Christian Growth Center Church, 1850 Electric Way, Christiansburg, VA 24073, 540-382-2908. The family requests donations to the Christiansburg Institute Alumni Association in lieu of flowers at P.O. Box 433, Christiansburg, VA 24068.