Obituary of Iris Dean McCallister McLaughlin

Iris Dean McCallister McLaughlin departed this life on January 11, 2023 at Harmony at White Oaks in Bridgeport, WV under the loving and compassionate care of the Harmony staff and Amedisys Hospice Care. Iris was born on April 24, 1927, along with her twin sister, Iva Dare, in Sumerco, WV. Iris made WV her home for approximately 70 of her 95 years, having lived in Arlington, VA in the 70s and 80s, and in Winchester, VA from 2014 – 2017. Iris spent most of her career working in the telephone industry. She was most proud of the time she worked in the supply yard for Verizon. To qualify for this position, Iris earned her driver’s license at the age of 50 in order to train as a forklift operator. This strong and feisty woman shattered gender role barriers and was an inspiration to not only her daughters and granddaughters, but to all her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren of all genders. In retirement she enjoyed buying and refinishing antiques, landscaping her rural properties, and remodeling/renovating her home. She also had a love for collectables including dolls, glass and ceramic artifacts, ornament series, and various antique curiosities. Above all, her family brought her the most satisfaction and joy. Being the last family member of her generation, Iris was predeceased by her parents, Charles Raymond, and Missouri Elkins McCallister, her five brothers, Charles, Clifford, Camerson, Richard, and Maxwell McCallister, her twin sister, Iva Clark, her husband, Arnold McLaughlin, her son-in-law, Joe Jeffares, and her grandson, Nathaniel McLaughlin. Iris is survived by her children, Don McLaughlin (Karen), Judy Jeffares, Larry McLaughlin (Kim), Linda Riffle (Sam), and Lesa McLaughlin (Joel Mateer); her grandchildren, Melissa Sydnor (Jack), Chris McLaughlin (Gina), Jason Smith (Laura), Eric McLaughlin (Sarah), Matthew McLaughlin (Caroline), Patrick McLaughlin (Jess), Elizabeth McLaughlin, and Chris Mateer; her great grandchildren, Jackson Sydnor, Criton McLaughlin, and Owen, Audrey, and Brook Smith; her step grandchildren, Drew Phillips, and Grant Riffle (Alenah); her step great grandchildren, Morgan, Aiden, and Avery Cole, Tyler, Ethan, and Sofiah Riffle, and Lexi and Tucker Harvey; as well as several special sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews. Iris’ family would like to express their gratitude for Harmony’s mission of supporting “aging in place”, and to the many kind and skillful staff members of both Harmony at White Oaks and Amedisys Hospice Care that make that mission possible. We are so grateful for these angels on Earth. Iris will be interred with her husband, Arnold E. McLaughlin, at Quantico National Cemetery on Thursday, January 26, 2023 following a brief onsite service at 2:00 p.m. All attendees are invited to join the family at Montclair Family Restaurant (17001 Dumfries Rd. Dumfries, VA) for a meal and personal tribute to Iris at or about 3:00 p.m. Iris’ family would like to thank Ryan Ford of Hastings Funeral Home, Morgantown, WV for his thoughtful and efficient handling of her end-of-life arrangements. As Quantico National Cemetery has specific restrictions regarding flowers, in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to dementiasociety.org.