Obituaries

Gordon Edward Tucker, 85, of 534 Bird Farm Rd., passed away on Saturday December 31, 2022, at his residence. Mr. Tucker was born on January 5, 1937, in Eagle Rock, a son of the late Emmett Griffen and Nelsie Mae McKalester Tucker. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brother and sister in laws: Georgia and Don Pinske and Daniel and Norma Smith. He and his family moved to Covington when he was about 6 years old. He was a graduate of Covington High School in 1955. After graduation he went to Chicago and attended Coyne Technical School. Returning to Covington he temporarily took a job at Kroger’s which he retired from after 37 years. Following Kroger’s retirement, he was offered a job in the dairy dept at Walmart, and he also worked at his favorite job delivering flowers for The Little Clay Pot Flower Shop. He served in the Army Reserves for six years. He was a member of Mallow Presbyterian Church where he was a faithful deacon, elder, and a faithful me...

Janice Silvery Johnson, 75, of Covington, passed away on Monday December 26, 2022 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital after a short illness. Janice leaves to cherish her memory two loving daughters Robin Johnson of Maryland and Acquanetta Johnson of Covington. A funeral service will be held Saturday January 7, 2023, 12:00 PM (Noon) at the chapel of Arritt Funeral Home. The interment will be made in Cedar Hill Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time and being entrusted to Arritt Funeral Home....

Rachel Louise Kelley Cash, 89, passed away December 24, 2022, at Carillion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke. Mrs. Cash was born May 12, 1933, in Alleghany County, a daughter of the late James and Mary Virginia Kelley. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Earl M. Cash, a son, Junior Meadows. Rachel was a seamstress at the former Airlee Cleaners in Roanoke, VA. She was a member of the Roanoke Congregational Holiness Church. Surviving are her children, Jerry Meadows, Carol Schmaeman, Greg (Sharon) Cash, Christy (Phillip) Walker, and Mary “Vickie” Anderson, all of Roanoke, and Earl (Mary) Cash Jr. of Norton; 12 grandchildren; a number of great-grandchildren; one brother, James Kelley of Covington; and several nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held Thursday, December 29, 2022, at 12:00 PM at Lonestar Cemetery in Covington. The funeral arrangements are being handled by Arritt Funeral Home....

Beatrice Fitzgerald “Bea” Cash, 87, of Covington, went to rest with her Lord and Savior, and the love of her life, Homer, on Saturday, December 24, 2022 at the Highland House in Clifton Forge. Mrs. Cash was born on October 19, 1935, in Alleghany County a daughter of the late John Henry and Willie Violet Phillips Fitzgerald. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband in 2011, Homer E. Cash, and a brother John H. Fitzgerald Jr. Bea spent her life making a home for her family and especially loved helping care for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had a passion for crossword puzzles, birdwatching, flowers, and long walks where she could take it all in. Surviving are her two sons, Michael E. Cash, Sr., and wife Jennifer of Clairemont, NC and Alan Dale Cash of Pounding Mill; two grandchildren, Chanelle Gonzalez of Woodacre, CA and Michael E. (Megan) Cash Jr. of Covington; five great grandchildren, Michael E. Cash III, Timothy Dale Cash, ...

Dreama Jones Miller, 82 of 407 Winding Way in Covington, was called to her heavenly home by her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, December 21, 2022. Dreama was born July 5, 1940, at Potts Creek, VA to the late Oakey “Ted” Jones and Margie Campbell Jones. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Eugene Miller, a brother Kenneth Ray Jones, Sr., and her daughter Barbara Harmon Summers. She was a founding member of Faith Baptist Church where she worshipped until her death. Mrs. Miller is survived by her sister Brenda Jones Cochran (Wilson) of Covington, her daughter Shannon Harmon Newkirk (Greg) of Atlanta GA, her granddaughter Taylor Hammons (Tommy Black), her stepdaughter, Sandra Oyler (Dale), step-granddaughters, Kelly Oyler Helmintoller (RJ), Stacy Oyler Holbrook (Bryan), Emily Oyler (Logan Holly). Step-Great granddaughter Addison Helmintoller. Also surviving are several very special nephews and nieces who are left behind to cherish their...

Darren Fitzgerald Scott, 58, of 211 Clay St., White Sulphur Springs, WV, passed away on Wednesday December 14, 2022, at the Greenbrier Valley Medical Center in Ronceverte, WV. Mr. Scott was born on December 8, 1964, in Hot Springs, a son of the late John and Dorothy Elizabeth Roach Scott. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandmother Virginia Roach and an uncle Raymond Roach. He was employed as a cashier and had attended Pine Street Baptist Church. He enjoyed playing cornhole, fishing, making people laugh, and the Washington Commanders. In keeping with his wishes his body has been cremated. Surviving are his two daughters Alaina Mariah Scott of Covington, Brehana Raekell Scott of Ronceverte, WV; fiancé Alyssa Arbaugh of White Sulphur Springs, WV, and a number of cousins. A private service will be held at a later date. The funeral arrangements are entrusted to Arritt Funeral Home....

Marlene Bogar Wolfe, 68, of 105 Hallies Rd., passed away on Tuesday December 13, 2022, at her residence. Mrs. Wolfe was born April 18, 1954, in Alleghany County a daughter of the late Jacob and Lillian Wright Bogar. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Richard (Pork) Wolfe in 2014; two sisters Goldie Tucker and Jeanette Bess. She was a former employee at many local sewing factories in the area and a cook at the Bear Walla Hunt Club and Kountry Corners. She enjoyed spending time with her family and her cat Rusty. Surviving are three daughters and son in laws Shannon Paxton and Todd of Covington, Jennifer Harris and Norman of Troutville, and Nichole Benedict and Tommy of Clifton Forge; three grandchildren Noel, Dalton, and Baylee of Clifton Forge; four sisters Judy Clarke and husband David, Arlene Shinault and husband Ted, and Robin Gillispie and husband Bobby, and Wanda Fridley all of Covington; three brothers Carl Bogar, Jeff Bogar, and...

Thomas Eugene Staton, 72, of 311 E. Fudge St., passed away on Monday December 12, 2022, at Lewis Gale Alleghany Regional Hospital in Low Moor. Mr. Staton was born on August 4, 1951, in Thomasville, NC a son of the late Jessie Staton Sr. and Sarah Smith Staton. He was a counselor for 25 years at the Eagleton School in Great Barrington, MA. In keeping with his wishes his body has been cremated. Surviving are his wife Debbie Russell Staton; a son Christopher Staton and his wife Casi all of Covington; a daughter Stacy Harris and her husband Sherwin, Sr. of Springfield, MA; six grandchildren; two great grandchildren; a sister Pamela Rich of Atlanta, GA. A service will be held at a later date. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Arritt Funeral Home....

Julian Frank Hepler, 82, of Covington, died Saturday, December 10, 2022, at his residence. Mr. Hepler was born August 9, 1940, in Gap Mills, WV, a son of the late Julian Baxter Hepler and Margaret Rowan Hepler Greco. In addition to his parents, he was proceeded in death by two brothers, Robert Hepler and William Hepler. Frank was a self-employed general contractor with Hepler Construction for many years. He was a member of Lonestar Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. He was a frequent volunteer with many organizations, including the Gideons and Men of Mission. Frank enjoyed his work and farming as well as spraying weeds. He loved his family and especially treasured time spent giving tractor rides to his grandkids and great grandkids. Surviving are his wife of 36 years, Beverly Crook Hepler of Covington; five children, Sherry Ortelli (Richard) of Brooksville, FL, Jay Hepler (Kelly) of Southwest Ranches, FL, Tracy Staats-Wagner (Steve) of Brooksville, FL, Jeff Hep...

Virginia Ellen Smith, 86, of 5925 Frontier Lane, died Saturday, December 3, 2022, at her residence. Mrs. Smith was born March 18, 1936, in Alleghany County, a daughter of the late Phillip Johnson Smith, Sr. and Zenith Acadia Smith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her stepmother, Edna Persinger Smith, and her husband, Leonard Allen Smith, Sr. For much of her life she was as a self-employed researcher. She also worked locally at the former Barr’s Craft Store and Kmart for many years. She was an active leader in both the local Boy scouts and 4-H. In her spare time, she enjoyed knitting and crocheting with the group at the Christ United Methodist Church. She also enjoyed planning family reunions, gardening, and genealogy. She was a member of the Hoke Chapel United Methodist Church. Surviving are her children, Martha Leonard and her husband, Bill, of Lexington, NC, Joe Rock, Jr. and his wife, Donna, of Covington, Leonard Smith, Jr. and his wife, Da...

Emma Gertrude "Trudy" Dawson Wright, 80 years old, of Covington, Virginia passed away peacefully on November 30th, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. Trudy was born on September 6th, 1942, in Alleghany County, Virginia to Joseph and Mary Dawson. Trudy was preceded in death by her father Joseph Dawson, her mother Mary Dawson, her brothers, Bobby and Billy, and her sister Dorothy “Dot”. Trudy was a homemaker who was happiest when she was surrounded by her family and cooking all of their favorite foods for Sunday dinner. She loved to spoil her grandkids and great grandkids who she loved unconditionally. She loved gardening and canning and decorating her home for the holidays. She enjoyed bluegrass festivals and beach vacations. She was known to play a few rounds of rummy with her grandkids and taught them the art of “sand bagging.” She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. She is survived by her husband of many years, Abraham “Abe” Wright, her siblings ...

Gary Clark Grimes, 85, of 704 S. Alleghany Ave., died, Monday, November 28, 2022, at his residence. Mr. Grimes was born on September 29, 1937, in Pocahontas Co. WV., a son of the late Hubert Grimes and Verna Alice Fertig Grimes. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son Benjamin H. Grimes; eight brothers and sisters. Gary retired in 1999 from Hercules, Inc. as machine operator. He was a member of Temple Baptist Church where he was a member of the choir, and Young at Heart. Surviving are his son Brian Grimes and his fiancé Staci Morehead; a daughter Carla Harrah and husband Larry; all of Covington; six grandchildren; Amber Grimes and Ryan Young, Jacob Grimes and his wife Meagan, Cheyleen Christ, Katelynn Grimes, Samuel Brookman, and Sean Streng; thirteen great grandchildren; a daughter in law Lori Grimes Camp; and Carlene Gibson mother of his children. In keeping with his wishes his body has been cremated. The funeral service will be held on F...