Obituaries

Richard Arrington “Rick” Martin, 71, of Covington, died Saturday, November 18, 2023, at his residence.

He was born August 25, 1952, in Bath County, a son of the late Charles Arrington Martin and Charlotte Warwick Martin Loughner. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Bill Martin.

Rick was a self-employed contractor - building many houses around the area over the years. While he was a tireless worker, he enjoyed fishing and hunting when his health allowed and was known to enjoy good western movies. He served his country in the United States Navy as a 1stClass Operations Specialist.

Surviving are his wife, Wanda Bowers Martin of Covington; two children, Melisa (Chuckie) Via and Chris (Danielle) Martin, all of Millboro; two step-children, Lori Hepler and Robbie (Amber) Hepler, all of Covington; gr...

Durward Emmett ‘Dude’ Downes, Jr., 73, of Covington, died Saturday, November 18, 2023, at his residence.

He was born October 18, 1950, in Alleghany County, a son of late Durward E. Downes, Sr and Pauline McDaniel Downes. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in by brother-in-law, Kendall Dolan.

Dude retired from VDOT after 39 years of service.  He was an avid hunter and gardener.

Surviving are his sister, Rhonda Dolan of Covington, and brother Kenny (Patti) Downes, of Clifton Forge; one nephew, Mike (Amy Fridley) Knick; two nieces,  Amie (Travis) Bond and Beverley (Tony) Bowers; great-nieces and nephews, Jakob Knick, Luna Knick, Samantha (Marshall) McCullough, Taylor (Dakota) Cordle, Peyton Rogers, Lucus Rogers, Kallista Hoke; two special friends, Wayne Howard and Robert Crawford; and also his dog, Jenny.

Curtis William Stewart, age 76, died Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at the Lewis Gale Alleghany Hospital in Low Moor after an extended illness.

Curtis was born, January 17, 1947, in Covington and was preceded in death by his father and mother, the late Dennie and Leatha Stewart; one son, the late William (Boo) Stewart; mother and father-in-law, the late Charles and Priscilla Twitty; sister and brother-in-law, the late Rhoda and Mike Lewis; brother-in-law, the late Tommy Sampson; and a nephew, the late Bryan Palmer.

Mr. Stewart worked at Hercules, Inc. until the plant closed because of a fire, C & O Railroad and was a maintenance employee at Covington High School. Curtis was happiest when he was listening to and playing music. He was fondly known in the Alleghany Highlands as the best D.J. around. In later years D.J. Curtis played faithfully for his church, Historic Firs...

James Franklin Proffitt, Jr., age 74, of Covington, died November 13, 2023, at the Lewis-Gale Salem Medical Hospital.

James was born July 17, 1949, in Covington, and was preceded in death by his parents, the late James Franklin Proffitt, Sr., Frances Helmintoller Profitt; his beloved wife, Bonnie Taylor Profitt; one sister Barbara Menefee.

Frank was an active member of the Virginia National Guard, retiring after twenty-five years of service.  After working thirty-three years for the Covington Police Department, he retired as a Lieutenant. He was an active member of Edgemont Presbyterian Church where he served as a former Deacon.

Surviving is his son, Rusty (Charlotte) Proffitt of Richmond; a daughter, Shelly (David) Johnson of Covington; two brothers, Carson Proffitt of Covington, and David Fountaine of Tennessee; six...

Lula Mae Wright Bowen, 90, of Covington, went to be with her Lord on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at her residence.

Lula was born August 25, 1933, in Alleghany County, a daughter of the late Samuel J. and Zetta Wright. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Lee Bowen; two daughters, Pamela Tucker and Terry Bowen; two sons, Sammy Nelson and Danny Nelson; and eight brothers and sisters.

Mrs. Bowen retired as a manager at the former Ritch’s Cleaners in Covington. She was a member of the War Ridge Free Will Baptist Church in Wayside, WV. In her spare time, she loved tending to her garden, bird watching, playing card games, working puzzles, playing pool, and even video games. Most of all, though, she loved playing her guitar and singing in her church.

Surviving are three daughters, Carol Bush...

Charles Willard Hepler, Sr., age 88 of Covington, died Thursday, November 9, 2023, at his residence.

Charles was born, February 14, 1935, in Alleghany County, and was preceded in death by his parents, the late Harvey Lee Hepler and Mary Ada Reynolds Hepler; his wife, the late Daisy Florine Wright Hepler and a grandson, the late Terry Lee Hepler, seven brothers and three sisters.

Mr. Hepler was employed with the City of Covington for thirty-eight years. During his lifetime he enjoyed gardening, potato farming, apple butter making and delivering firewood. He was a carpenter and an avid hunter. Charles was a loving father and the best husband to his beloved wife.

Surviving are two sons, Charles (Susan) Hepler, Jr. and Jessie (Roberta Lynn) Hepler of Covington; four daughters, Anita (Gary) Redman, Susan (Phillip) Miller, Mary ...

Chester Leroy Smith, 75, of Covington, died Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at his residence.

Mr. Smith was born August 24, 1948 in Princeton, NJ, a son of the late Leonard and Dorothy Davidson Smith.

Chester retired as a logistician with the PepsiCo company. He was an avid fisherman, car and truck enthusiast, and a devoted family man.

Survivors include his wife, Leona H. Smith; a son, John E. Smith and his wife Nicole, all of Covington; and a daughter, Shanon M. Smith, of South River, NJ.

In keeping with Chester’s wishes, his body has been cremated.

A private memorial service is planned at a later date.

Arritt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Rebecca Burgis Tucker, 69, of Covington, died Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at the Brian Center-Alleghany in Low Moor.

Rebecca was born December 14, 1953, a daughter of the late Charles and Rebecca Jones Burgis. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Kenny Tucker.

Mrs. Tucker was employed by Halmode, Inc and the C-Mart convenience store for many years.

Surviving are her daughters, Penny (Anthony) Anderson, Terrie (Jonathan) Batten, and Sherrie Tucker, all of Covington; four grandchildren, Kolby Anderson, Cheyanne Tucker, Santana Anderson, and Jaden Batten; one brother, Charles (Teresa) Burgis of Pulaski; and one nephew, CJ Burgis of Pulaski.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, November 12, 2023, at 4:00 PM in the chapel of Arritt Funeral Home with...

Elwood Berkley Cadd, age 86, of Covington, died Sunday October 29, 2023, at his residence.

Mr. Cadd was born March 3, 1937, in Covington, and was preceded in death by his parents, the late Walter R. Cadd and Ida Blankenship Cadd; his wife Geraldine Cody Cadd; one daughter Teresa Whitmore- Williams; one brother Malcom Cadd and two infant sisters.

Elwood was the owner for many years of Alleghany Tile and Carpet and Olde Town Miniature Golf. He was a member of the Parrish Court United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his two daughters Donna Craft and her husband Steven of Covington, Sandra Clemmons, and her husband Curtis of Florida; six grandchildren, Heather O’Meara, Jennifer Whitmore, C.W. Clemmons, Mellia Haines, Thomas Whitmore, and Meghan Craft; eight great grandchildren; and two nieces.

A priva...

Mildred Biggs Caldwell of Covington, age 99, of Covington died Sunday, October 22, 2023, at the Woodlands Health and Rehab Center in Clifton Forge.

Mildred was born May 16, 1924, in Surber, Virginia, and was preceded in death by her husband, Doran Caldwell; her parents, Roy C. Biggs, Hattie Via Biggs, two grandchildren, Scott Schell and Jessie Caldwell, a great grandson, Jonathan Schell; three sisters, Carrine Taylor, Elsie Smith, Ruby Paitsel; two brothers, Rex Biggs and Lacy Biggs.

She loved being a homemaker and was a Bookkeeper at Woody’s Auto Parts. Mildred attended Persinger Memorial United Methodist Church and was a member of the Boiling Springs Ladies Auxiliary, an avid Sudoku game player and enjoyed crocheting.

Surviving are her daughter Angela (Roger) Stover of Covington; one son, Dennis (Karie) Caldwell of Roano...

Mavis Arthur Wickline, 87, of Covington, died October 22, 2023, at her daughter’s residence in Waiteville WV.

She was born April 25, 1936, in Waiteville, WVA., a daughter of the late Lake Arthur and Mary Snyder Arthur. In addition to her parents, she was preceded by a daughter, Linda Wickline, a grandson, Christopher Daugherty, and granddaughter Andrea Withrow; and also two brothers.

Mavis worked at Halmode, Inc. for a number of years.

Surviving are three daughters, Anita Stone (Jackie) of Covington, Joyce Bostic (Elbert) of Maxwelton, WV, and Debra Withrow (Richard Kofahl) of Waiteville, WV; a son John Wickline (Phyllis) of Covington; thirteen grandchildren, twenty-four great grandchildren, and seven great-great grandchildren; one brother, Conley Arthur of New Castle; and one sister Joann Atkins of Pembroke.

Grace Daniels Reynolds, 101, of Covington, passed away Saturday, October 21, 2023, at the Brian Center Rehabilitation & Nursing Home in Low Moor.

Mrs. Reynolds was born February 24, 1922, in Buckingham County, a daughter of the late Walter I. Daniels and Mary Estelle Megginson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded by her husband, Vernell Reynolds in 2008; a grandson, Derrick Belton; two sisters and one brother.

Grace was an active member of the Historic First Baptist Church in Covington until her health began to fail. She cherished praising the word and loved working in the church, serving on several committees. Grace loved to read her bible, praying for and with others, but most of all, spending time with family. She was a loving, caring woman and a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.

Left to cherish her me...