top of page

Obituaries

February 2, 2023

Kathleen

Knighton

Leffel

Kathleen Leffel Knighton of Covington, died, on February 2, 2023, at the age of 97. She was the daughter of the late John H. and Hazel Smith Leffel. Mrs. Knighton was married to the late Roy N. (Buddy) Knighton for 59 years. 


In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a son Patrick L. Knighton; a sister, Elizabeth Leffel McCormick; and a brother-in-law Thomas N. McCormick; her stepmother Pearl H. Leffel; and stepbrother Clyde Saylor Jr. Mrs. Knighton retired in 1988 as a Deputy Clerk of the Circuit Court of Alleghany County after serving for twenty years. 


She was a member of the Edgemont Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Knighton is survived by a son Larry N. Knighton and wife Georgia of Eagle Rock; a daughter in law Ann Knighton of Ronceverte, WV; two daughters, Kathy K. Massey-Hargrove and husband Tom of Sapulpa, OK and Karen K. Mays and hu...

1x1.png
1x1.png

Visitation

Service

January 29, 2023

Curtis

Ewing

Lee

Curtis Lee Ewing, 78, of Eagle Rock, died, Sunday January 29, 2023, at his residence. Mr. Ewing was born October 27, 1944, in Rainelle, WV. He was the son of the late Asa and Emma McKnight Ewing. 


Curtis retired from Gala Industries as a safety and environmental supervisor, he was formerly employed by Hercules, Inc., Virginia Power, and Lear, Inc. He was a Honorary lifetime member of the Covington Fire Department and the Covington First Aid. His philosophy for his work as a safety professional was, "Everyone will return safely home to their family in the same condition that they came into work". 


Surviving are his wife of 55 years Inez Mills Ewing of Eagle Rock; one son Jeff Ewing and his wife Michele of Warrenton; a daughter Cindy Ison and her husband Randy of Crewe; three grandchildren; Tori Ewing, Curtis Ison, and Austin Ison; one sister Janice Neff of Raine...

1x1.png
1x1.png

Visitation

Service

January 18, 2023

Donald

Martin, Sr.

Edward

Donald Edward Martin, Sr., 85, of Alleghany County, passed away, on Wednesday January 18, 2023, surrounded by his family. Mr. Martin was born on the 18th day of March 1937 in Alleghany County, a son of the late William E. and Eva Webb Martin. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by the mother of his children and his wife of 40 years, Minnie Curry Martin in 1997; a son, Ricky Martin; a daughter and son in law, Janie Martin Arrant and Jacob; and a brother Kenneth Martin. He served in the United States Navy for 21 years during his time he served during the Vietnam War and the Korean Conflict. During his time in the military, he taught flight school and flew with the Blue Angels. He retired in 1997 as an Associate Professor for DSLCC. He was a member of the Hollywood (MD) Lodge # 223; the Kazim Shrine Temple of Roanoke; and a longtime avid musician in the area. He was an instructor and apprenticeship coordinator for Westvaco. In his spare time, he enjoyed...

1x1.png
1x1.png

Visitation

Service

January 17, 2023

Richard

Bradshaw

Eugene

Richard Eugene Bradshaw known by many as Eugene, 86, of Covington, passed away peacefully at home on January 17, 2023. Eugene was born on April 25, 1936 in Monroe County, a son of the late Richard Roscoe and Rebecca Craft Bradshaw. He rejoins in heaven his beloved wife of 58 years, Carol Ann, who passed away in 2018. 


In addition to his parents and his wife he was preceded in death by two sisters Linda Scott and Phyllis Bradshaw; and a brother Leo Bradshaw. He served in the United States Army. Eugene was a hard working life-long farmer. He and his father, and later his son Michael, operated two farms for many years in Alleghany County and Monroe County, WV. he was a lover of the outdoors, classic country music and cars in his younger years.


Surviving are his son Michael Bradshaw of Covington; a daughter Teresa Stevens and husband Nate of Daleville; two grandchildren...

1x1.png
1x1.png

Visitation

Service

January 17, 2023

Billy

Lipes

Wayne

Billy Wayne “Gilligan” Lipes, 61, of Roanoke, died, Tuesday January 17, 2023, in Lewis Gale Medical Center. He was born December 26, 1961, in Alleghany Co. a son of the late William C. and Erma Taylor Lipes. 


In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death George Green who helped raised him. Billy was retired from Greer’s Supply Co. as a fire extinguisher technician and was a former member of the Covington Moose Lodge #610. 


Surviving is his wife of 28 years Angelia Thompson Lipes of Roanoke; Schyler Gamez and Samathan Gamez who lived with them; a daughter Jessica Lipes of Massachusetts; one sister Cathy Lipes of Covington; two brothers Donnie Lipes and his wife Jen of Covington and Allen Lipes and James Stanley of Gibsonville, NC.; also surviving are number of nieces and nephews. 


The funeral service w...

1x1.png
1x1.png

Visitation

Service

January 15, 2023

Helen

Doyle

Bezio "Virgie"

Helen Bezio “Virgie” Doyle, 88, of 718 W. Parklin Dr., formerly of Mechanicsville, passed away on Sunday January 15, 2023, at her residence. Mrs. Doyle was born on July 27, 1934 in Keeseville, NY, a daughter of the late Edith Doyle. 


In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by her husband Rolland P. Doyle, Jr.; a son Mark Doyle; three sisters and one brother. She took care of kids for many years in the Hanover Area. 


Surviving are her daughter Barbara Doyle of Covington; a son Robert Doyle of Richmond; a daughter Dawn Roberson of Richmond; seven grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews. 


In keeping with her wishes her body has been cremated. A service will be held at a later day in Signal Hill Cemetery in Hanover. The funeral arrangements are being handled by Arri...

1x1.png
1x1.png

Visitation

Service

January 14, 2023

Howard

Browning, III

Franklin

Howard Franklin “Frankie” Browning, III, 39, of 620 E. Kline St., died, Saturday January 14, 2023, at his residence. He was born January 30, 1983, in Covington, a son of the late Deborah Dressler Browning and Howard F. Browning, Jr. 


In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by a sister Ginger Kress. Frankie loved being with his family and friends. Surviving other than his father and stepmother Wendy Browning of Covington, he is survived by two brothers John Browning and Robert Hosey all of Covington, six sisters Bubbie Browning, Angle Browning Marie Browning, Ashley Browning, Jesse Browning, and Cheyenne Hosey all of Covington. Also surviving a friend Misty Browning and number of nieces and nephews. 


In keeping with his wishes his body has been cremated. A service will be at a later date. Arrangements are being handle by Arritt Funeral Home.

...
1x1.png
1x1.png

Visitation

Service

January 10, 2023

Drema

Saunders

Darlene

Drema Darlene Saunders, 65, of 1536 Todd St., passed away on Tuesday January 10, 2023. Ms. Saunders was born on May 26, 1957 in Giles County a daughter of the late Mary Marie Saunders and a father figure to her Bill Talbert. 


In addition to her mother she was preceded in death by her grandfather Monroe Saunders; two brothers David Saunders and Danny Davis; and a grandchild Nicholas Saunders. She was a homemaker as well as enjoyed the outdoors to include hunting and fishing. She was a Kansas City Chiefs Fan and was very big on her family. 


Surviving are her two daughters, Katrina (Walter) Dybis of New Orleans, LA and Sondra (Jason) Elliott of Covington; a son Chad Saunders of Richmond; eight grandchildren to include Tina Elliott and Penelope Elliott both of Covington; Katrina Elliott of Richmond, Ashley (Andy) Keeton of Ohio, and Michael (Emily) Stevers of Flori...

1x1.png
1x1.png

Visitation

Service

January 8, 2023

Wanda

Merino

Thompson

Wanda Thompson Merino, 45, of Covington, died, Sunday January 8, 2023, at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Merino was born January 21, 1977, in Alleghany Co. a daughter of Phillip Thompson, Sr. and Janet Sue Ryan Thompson both of Covington. Wanda was preceded in death by her husband Miguel Merino in 2015, and brother Andrew Thompson. 


Surviving other than her parents she is survived by a daughter Monica Merino of Covington; two sons Marselino Gonzales of Covington, and Max Gonzales of Richmond; two grandchildren Damien Gonzales and Aliyana Gonzales, her fiancé Baldemar Mazariegos of Covington; two sisters Evelyn Escobar and Alisha Thompson; two brothers Phillip Thompson Jr. and Diane and Jacob Thompson and Grace all of Covington; and a number of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. 


In keeping with her wishes her body has been cremated. The famil...

1x1.png
1x1.png

Visitation

Service

January 6, 2023

David

Gaines

Eugene

David Eugene Gaines, 51, of Roanoke formerly of Covington, died Friday January 6, 2023 at the Carrington Place at Botetourt. Mr. Gaines was born on March 11, 1971, in Covington a son of Eugene and Linda McCulley Gaines of Covington. 


He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Hlavaty Gaines in 2009; two sisters Yvonne Gaines in 2015 and Teresa Gaines Spangler in 2018; a brother Jayson Gaines in 2012. 


He was a retired welder from Spinfinity Inc. in Roanoke and he loved to sing karaoke. 


In addition to his parents, he is survived by two daughters Olivia Goode of Vinton and Jody Gaines Hlavaty of Roanoke; one sister; and a number of nieces and nephews. 


In keeping with his wishes his body has been cremated. 


<p class="font...
1x1.png
1x1.png

Visitation

Service

January 5, 2023

Annalee

Markham

Margaret Nance

Mrs. Annalee Margaret Nance Markham, 86 years old of Covington passed away on January 5th, 2023, at her home surrounded by her loving family. 


Mrs. Markham was born on December 29, 1936, in Covington to the late Frank Nance and Gladys Ryder Griffith (Father and Mother), in addition to her parents she was preceded in death by Melvina Nance (Stepmother) and Guy D. Griffith (Stepdad). 


Mrs. Markham was also preceded in death by the love of her life, Roy F. Markham Sr, who passed away January 2, 2013. They were married January 31, 1953, spending a cherished 59 years together, and missing him every day, until they were reunited together today. Mrs. Markham was also preceded in death by a Sister Glenna Nance Mahaney; a Brother- In-Law Ronald Lewis Mahaney; a Son-in-law Gary Wayne Frame, and her cat Cricket. 


Annal...

1x1.png
1x1.png

Visitation

Service

January 1, 2023

Roy

Reed

Lee

Roy Lee Reed, 97, of Clifton Forge formerly of Covington, passed away on Sunday January 1, 2023, at the Alleghany Health and Rehab. 


Mr. Reed was born May 28, 1925, in Hinton, WV, a son of the late William Riley and Virginia Akers Reed. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his two wives, Mary Mines Reed and Shelia Switzer Reed; a son Glenn Reed; and a daughter Earlene Creamer. 


He had retired from the Alleghany County and Covington School Board from the Maintenance Department and was a School Bus Driver. 


He was also a member of First Christian Church. 


Surviving are his son Raymond Reed of Catawba; two daughters Mary Reed of Clifton Forge and Laura Hise and husband Junior of Covington; a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren;...

1x1.png
1x1.png

Visitation

Service

bottom of page