Obituaries

Virginia Thompson Irvin Biggs, age 87, of Covington, died Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at the Bath Community Hospital in Hot Springs.

Virginia was born January 19, 1937, in Halifax County and was preceded in death by her parents, the late Olin Madison Thompson and Thelma Graham Thompson; her first husband, Boyd C. Irvin, her second husband, Timothy Biggs; two sons, Joseph Irvin and Richard Irvin.

Her favorite past times was cooking for her family, listening to music and just spending quality time with family.

Surviving are three daughters, Betty (Perry) Mabry of Covington, Angie Perry of Glasgow and Marsha Sargent of Covington; a son, Frank Irvin of Covington; one brother, Van Thompson of Hot Springs; sixteen grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and a host of family members.

A graveside service at C...

Martha Ann Bowers, 65, of Covington, passed away on August 30, 2024 at her residence.

Ann was born on March 12,1959 to Martha Lindsay Campbell and James Allen Campbell in Alleghany County.  Ann graduated from Alleghany High School in 1977.

Ann was a stay-at-home mother where she took loving care of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ann married Gary Bowers on October 9,1976. In her spare time, she liked to gamble, cook, quilting, sewing and playing bingo.

Ann and Gary Bowers had three children, Shannon Weikle (Joe), Constance Dudley (Jason), Gary Allen Bowers (Carolina).  She also had five grandchildren, Shania Ward (Travis), Landon Bowers, Carlea Weikle, Jake Dudley and Kacy Dudley; as well as two great-grandchildren, Jack and Austin Coats.

Ann w...

Gloria Jean Campbell, age 75, of Covington, went home to be with her Lord, Thursday, August 22, 2024, at the Alleghany Health and Rehab in Clifton Forge.

Gloria was born July 1, 1949 in Lynchburg and was preceded in death by her late parents, Wesley R. Campbell and Edith Lawhorne Mann; and a son Kirk A. Bailey.

Surviving are two sisters, Elaine Billy Price of Covington and Brenda (Larry) Clark of Rustburg and a number of nieces and nephews.

In keeping with her wishes her body has been cremated and a private service will be held at a later date.

Arritt Funeral Home have been entrusted to handle her arrangements.

Friends wishing to send tributes online may do so at arrittfuneralhome.com.

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Irene Payne Newcomb Hyre, age 84, of Clifton Forge, died August 19, 2024, at the Woodland Heath & Rehab Center, in Clifton Forge.

Irene was born, June 16, 1940 and was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence Newcomb and Lettie Sloan Newcomb; her first husband, Buel Fauber and her second husband, William Hyre; two brothers Clarence “Pedro” Newcomb and Millard Newcomb.

For many years, she was a CNA at the Western State Hospital in Staunton.

She leaves to mourn her loss a cousin, Paige (Larry) Morgan and Nick Morgan all of Covington.

In keeping with her wishes, her body has been cremated.

A private service will be held at a later date.

Arritt Funeral Home is in charge of her arrangements.

Robert Wayne Childs, 81, of Clifton Forge, died Saturday, August 17, 2024 at his residence.

Robert was born June 12, 1943, in Botetourt County, a son of the late Daniel Lewis Childs and Hollie Scott Childs. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Jimmy Childs and Dewey Childs.

Mr. Childs was known by many through his work as a door greeter at the Walmart in Covington.

Survivors include his wife, Tatyana N. Childs, of Clifton Forge; and numerous other family members including several cousins and many friends.

In keeping with his wishes, his body has been cremated.

A memorial service will be held Friday, August 23, 2024 at 3:00 PM in the Arritt Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Bill Gilliland officiating. The family will rece...

James Lee “Butmore” Helton, Sr., age 80, of Covington, departed this life on Friday, August 16, 2024, at the Alleghany Health and Rehab in Clifton Forge.

James Lee was born June 17, 1944, in Covington, he was preceded in death by his parents, the late William “Peewee” Helton and Agnes Johnson Helton; two brothers, William J. Helton and Mickey Helton; two sisters, Frances Hillman and Marilyn Helton; and a son-in-law, Joseph Bowins, Jr.

Affectionally called “Butmore”, grew up in Covington, attending Watson High School, graduating in 1961, he was known for his sense of humor, he loved listening to music and enjoyed all sports. He joined Pine Street Baptist Church at an early age. His former employer was the CSX Railroad and the Greenbrier Hotel and until his retirement he was a bartender at the Homestead Hotel in Hot Springs.

Newton Rockoy Green, 83, of Covington, VA died Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at his residence after telling his family on Friday, August 9, 2024 that he would be leaving them soon.

He was born January 10, 1941 in Ocho Rios, Jamaica to the late Noel Green and Iris Mesquita Green.  Newton was confirmed at St. John’s Anglican Church.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his first wife Viola Raphalene Green, his fathers-in-law and mothers-in-law, Carl and Mabel Haynes and Ralph and Viola Burks, siblings Audrey Chambers, Roy Green, Dennis Green, Pearline Boswell, and Bert Green; sons Deno Green, Teddy Green, and Noah Green, and brothers-in-law Charles Haynes and Ralph (Sonny) Burks.

Newton is survived by his wife of 38 years, Mazie Green; sons Paul Green, Newton Green, Jr., Jonathan Green, Brendan Green, and Isa...

Judy Kay Childs Simmons, age 77, of Roanoke, died Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at the Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke.

Judy was born, November 8, 1946, in Alleghany County, and was preceded in death by her parents, the late Edward Childs and Margaret Miley Childs; and her husband, Charles Simmons.

She was employed by the U.S. Forest Service in the maintenance department. Judy was a former member of the Stuarts Draft Volunteer Rescue Ladies Auxiliary; a member of the Shenandoah Heights Baptist Church serving on the Women of Mission Ministry and was a member of the Woodman Life organization.

Surviving are two daughters, Sandra (Fred) Ogle, of Lyndhurst and Margaret Tucker of Roanoke; one son, Donald Tucker of Roanoke; four grandchildren, Brandon Tucker, (Melissa Swearengin), Gypsy Tucker (Cody Graves), Ashley Spar...

Murray Hammond Hutchens, Jr., age 77, of Covington, died Monday, August 12, 2024, at his residence in Covington.

Murray was born, July 2, 1947, in Covington, and was preceded in death by his parents, the late Murray H. Hutchens, Sr. and Evelyn Cook Hutchens.

Surviving are his friends in the Alleghany Highlands that called him Hutch.

Murray grew up in Covington, and for over thirty years worked at Mead Westvaco as a Millwright and was a member of the Covington Moose Lodge #610.  He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam era.

In keeping with his wishes his body will be cremated.

A private memorial service will be held on a later date at Alleghany Memorial Park.

I...

Karen June Craft, age 68, Clifton Forge, died Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at Sharon Lane.

Karen was born, June 13, 1956 and was preceded in death by her parents Harry Craft and Vivian Grace Knick Clark, a sister, Grace Craft and a brother Jimmy ‘Bo’ Clark.

Karen was a retired truck driver with Acuty Brands Corporation and she loved taking pictures and planting flowers.

Surviving are her daughters, Karen (Jerry) Hepler of Crows, Amanda Voorhees and her finance John Selleck of Clifton Forge; seven grandchildren and ten great-great grandchildren; two sisters, Tammy (Glenn) Thomas of Selma, Brenda Craft of Low Moor; three brothers, Donald (Michele) Clark of Gallatin, Tennessee of, Richard Craft of Eagle Rock and Henry (Karen) Clark of Clifton Forge; nieces, nephews and a host of family members.

Our precious little angel, Casey Lane Cutlip, beloved infant son of Allyson Cutlip Leggett of Covington, went to be with our Lord on Monday, August 5, 2024 at his home.

Casey was preceded in death by his maternal great-grandparents, Bernard and Evelyn Matheney and Tinker Grimm.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by a sister, Carson G. Pritt; one brother, Jacob L. Pritt; his maternal grandmother, Robbin (Billy) Oliver, all of Covington; maternal grandfather, Jeremy (Julia) Cutlip of Mountain Grove; maternal great-grandparents, Clyde and Jean Cutlip of Mountain Grove and Jim and Connie Oliver of Covington; two aunts, Autumn (Thomas) Randozzo, and Blayne Oliver; one uncle, Blake Oliver, all of Covington; cousins Gavin, Harper, Clayton, Sawyer, Isaac, Maverick, Anayiah and Blair.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday...

Ronald William Holloway, Sr., age 77, of Covington, died August 1, 2024 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke.

He was born on September 28, 1946, in Covington, the youngest son to the late Ralph N. Holloway and Elizabeth Davis Holloway.

In addition to his parents, Ronald was preceded in death by one sister, Dorothy A. Sharp; two brothers, Sherman N. Holloway, Sr. and Lee Wayne Holloway; two sister-in-law’s, Shirley W. Fleming and Rosemary Wooding-Puryear; and one brother-in law, Julius Norwood Puryear.

Ronnie attended public schools and graduated from Covington High School in 1966. In 1964 he became the first black student-athlete at Covington High School when he transferred from Watson High School.  While there he excelled both on the football field and the basketball court. Some of his other achievements ...