Obituaries

Leon Eugene Hoke, Jr. of Clifton Forge, 68, died peacefully in the early evening of 26 August after a brief illness. Known as “Junior” to his family and his many friends, he leaves behind his beloved wife, Rhonda Underwood Hoke; his son Harry Hoke and his partner, Julie, of Wytheville, VA; his son Gary A. Hoke, of Covington; his son Jacob Hoke and his wife, Sara, of Covington; and his daughter Vicky Donahue and her husband, Shannon, of Covington; his step-daughter, Kelly Maloney and her husband Jason of Covington; and his 10 grandchildren: Justin Hoke, Jordan Hoke, Tanner Hoke, Teagan Hoke, Treye Bailey, Brooklynn Bailey, Allyson Bailey, Justice Maloney, Mason Maloney and Maddox Maloney. He also leaves 4 great-grandchildren: Braxton, Remliee, Cayden and Aribella and two brothers, Mike Hoke of Covington and Billy Hoke, of Covington. He was born in Covington, the son of the late Daisy Caldwell Hoke and the late Leon Eugene Hoke. He was also preceded in death by his infant son, Jerem...

Leon Eugene Hoke, Jr. of Clifton Forge, 68, died peacefully in the early evening of 26 August after a brief illness. Known as "Junior" to his family and his many friends, he leaves behind his beloved wife, Rhonda Underwood Hoke; his son Harry Hoke and his partner, Julie, of Wytheville, VA; his son Gary A. Hoke, of Covington; his son Jacob Hoke and his wife, Sara, of Covington; and his daughter Vicky Donahue and her husband, Shannon, of Covington; his step-daughter, Kelly Maloney and her husband Jason of Covington; and his 10 grandchildren: Justin Hoke, Jordan Hoke, Tanner Hoke, Teagan Hoke, Treye Bailey, Brooklynn Bailey, Allyson Bailey, Justice Maloney, Mason Maloney and Maddox Maloney. He also leaves 4 great-grandchildren: Braxton, Remliee, Cayden and Aribella and two brothers, Mike Hoke of Covington and Billy Hoke, of Covington. He was born in Covington, the son of the late Daisy Caldwell Hoke and the late Leon Eugene Hoke. He was also preceded in death by his infant son, Jeremy Ma...

Maurice Harris, 62, of Penhook, Virginia, died Monday, August 23, 2021, in Lynchburg. Mr. Harris was born July 31,1959, in Manassas a son of Willis W. Harris and the late Rebecca Ann Reid. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and was a lineman for a cable company. He enjoyed working on the farm and cutting grass. He enjoyed watching the Raiders, Lakers and the Harlem Globetrotters. He loved spoiling his grandkids. Surviving in addition to his Father are his Wife, Teresa Durham Harris, of Penhook; his Daughter, Spring Wronski; two Sons, Curtis Dale Davis, Jr., and his Wife, Angela, and Jamal; three grandchildren, Aiden, Alexis and Whitley; five Brothers, Calvin Reid, James Harris, Michael Reid, Tony Reid and Willie Barbour; four Sisters, Patricia Harris, Janet Vincent and her husband, Michael, Felicia Barbour and her husband, Rev. Glen Barbour, and Christina Harris; one great-aunt, Patricia Branch, aunts and uncle Edna Harris, Doris Mason, and Bobby Harris; his sister-in-law, Elisa Landwe...

Virginia Bailey Kitt, 71, of 5810 Rich Patch Rd., died, Monday August 23, 2021, at her residence. Mrs. Kitt was born August 5, 1950, in Alleghany County a daughter of the late James Lacy and Nora Persinger Bailey. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by four brother Berland "Doc" Bailey, Alfred Bailey, Arnold Bailey, and Robert "Babe" Bailey. She was a member of the Mountain Valley United Methodist Church as well as a homemaker. In keeping with her wishes her body has been cremated. Surviving are her husband Samuel Kitt, a daughter Wanda Brookman and Omar Garcia all of Covington, a son James L. Arrington of SC, six grandchildren Amanda Tucker and Charlie Smith, Dustin Tucker and his wife Linda, Breanna Brookman, Cheyenne Brookman, Dethany Shafer and her husband Michael and Michael Gracia, eight great grandchildren Lily Tucker, Jennifer Tucker, Tanner Wilson, William Tucker, Emma Smith, Serenity Waid, Michael Garcia, Lexi Gracia and Luke Gracia, five sisters Nadine Tuc...

Virginia Bailey Kitt, 71, of 5810 Rich Patch Rd., died, Monday August 23, 2021, at her residence. Mrs. Kitt was born August 5, 1950, in Alleghany County a daughter of the late James Lacy and Nora Persinger Bailey. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by four brother Berland "Doc" Bailey, Alfred Bailey, Arnold Bailey, and Robert "Babe" Bailey. She was a member of the Mountain Valley United Methodist Church as well as a homemaker. In keeping with her wishes her body has been cremated. Surviving are her husband Samuel Kitt, a daughter Wanda Brookman and Omar Garcia all of Covington, a son James L. Arrington of SC, six grandchildren Amanda Tucker and Charlie Smith, Dustin Tucker and his wife Linda, Breanna Brookman, Cheyenne Brookman, Dethany Shafer and her husband Michael and Michael Gracia, eight great grandchildren Lily Tucker, Jennifer Tucker, Tanner Wilson, William Tucker, Emma Smith, Serenity Waid, Michael Garcia, Lexi Gracia and Luke Gracia, five sisters Nadine Tuc...

Thomas Lynn Neal, 73, of Falling Spring, passed away, Thursday August 12, 2021, at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, surrounded by his family. Mr. Neal was born January 5, 1948, in Fort George G. Meade, MD son of the late Lenual Cole Neal and Mildred Elizabeth North Neal. He had served in the United States Army, was an officer in the Army reserves, and was retired from MeadWestvaco. Tom graduated Magna Cum Laude from Roanoke College with a Bachelor of Arts on May 6th, 2000. He was a novelist who loved playing music, painting, and was an avid outdoorsman. He was a loving husband, ‘Daddy' and ‘Papa'. He is survived by his wife of 53 years Bonnie Smith Neal of Falling Spring; a daughter and two sons. Daughter and son in law Jennifer Neal Carver and John of Louisa, VA; son and daughter in law Donovan Scott Neal and Maryanne of State College, PA: son and daughter in law Jason Wesley Neal and Diana of Starkville, MS, and his beloved doggie daughter Morgan Le Fey;...

Virgil Lee Lewis, Jr,. 75, of Covington died Tuesday, August 10, 2021, at his residence. Mr. Lewis was born July 30, 1946, in Alleghany County a son of the late Virgil L. Lewis,Sr. and Helen Payne Lewis. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Persinger Lewis, in 2007. Virgil was retired from Westrock as a mechanic. He was owner and operator of Hilltop Wood products and attended many of the local churches in the area. Surviving are two sons, Virgil Lee Lewis, III, and Christopher Lewis, both of Covington; three grandchildren, Decker Lewis, Tyler Lewis and Chloe Lewis, all of Covington; one brother, Otis Lewis of Cincinnati Oh.; one sister, Pat Posey, of Covington, and number of nieces and nephews A funeral service will be held Friday, August 13, 2021, at 2:00 PM in the Arritt Funeral home Chapel. The internment will be made in Alleghany Memorial Park. The family will receive their friends one hour before the service. Arrangements are bei...

Virgil Lee Lewis, Jr,. 75, of Covington died Tuesday, August 10, 2021, at his residence. Mr. Lewis was born July 30, 1946, in Alleghany County a son of the late Virgil L. Lewis,Sr. and Helen Payne Lewis. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Persinger Lewis, in 2007. Virgil was retired from Westrock as a mechanic. He was owner and operator of Hilltop Wood products and attended many of the local churches in the area. Surviving are two sons, Virgil Lee Lewis, III, and Christopher Lewis, both of Covington; three grandchildren, Decker Lewis, Tyler Lewis and Chloe Lewis, all of Covington; one brother, Otis Lewis of Cincinnati Oh.; one sister, Pat Posey, of Covington, and number of nieces and nephews A funeral service will be held Friday, August 13, 2021, at 2:00 PM in the Arritt Funeral home Chapel. The internment will be made in Alleghany Memorial Park. The family will receive their friends one hour before the service. Arrangements are being handled by ...

Edward Harris Johnson, 69, of Covington, died, Friday, August 6, 2021, in Lewis Gale Medical Center in Salem. He was born May 8, 1952, in Covington a son of the late Edward S. Johnson and Lucy Mae Crawford Johnson, in addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Sharon Johnson, one brother, Calvin Johnson, and a nephew, Timmy Johnson. Mr. Johnson served in the United State Marine Corp. Surviving are his Daughter, Alinis Standard, of KS; five sisters, Amelia Johnson, Melissa Johnson, and Phyllis Johnson all of Covington and Diane Johnson and Glenda Johnson of Roanoke; and three brothers, Dwayne Johnson, James Johnson, and Russell Johnson all Covington and a number of nieces and nephews. In keeping with his wishes, his body has been cremated. A service will be held at later date....

Hallie Miller Dressler, 93, passed away peacefully on Thursday August 5, 2021. She was born in Covington on July 5, 1928, a daughter of the late James W. and Bonnie Baker Miller. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband E. C. "Doodlebug" Dressler in 2008; one son, Dusty Lowen in 1996; a stepson, Sammy Dressler; brothers, Harry Miller, Earl Miller, and Gerald Miller. Hallie was a graduate of Covington High School and had retired from Hercules, Inc. and AET, Inc. She was a member of the McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church and also a lifetime member of the VFW Post 1033 Ladies Auxiliary. Surviving are her daughters and sons-in-law, Pat Lowen Bowling and Aubrey and Cindee Lowen Stinnett and George, both of Covington; grandchildren, Scott Daily and wife Tanya of Covington, Amy Stinnett Bunch and husband Delton, of North Carolina; two great-grandchildren, Sierra Daily Stanfield and husband Luke of Richmond, and William Joshua Daily of Covington; a step-daught...

Gary Lynn Campbell, 70, of Clifton Forge died Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at the Alleghany Health & Rehab Center in Clifton Forge. Mr. Campbell was born September 21, 1950, in Alleghany County, a son of the late Harvey and Nellie Armentrout Campbell. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by three brothers, Ralph Campbell, Danny Campbell and James Campbell and five sisters, Ellen Tucker, Jane Pierce, Patsy Campbell, Thressa Tucker and Isabelle Andrews. Gary loved to hunt and fish and listen to older folks tell stories. Surviving are his Brother, Larry "Mop" Campbell and his wife, Linda, of Covington and a number of nieces and nephews. In keeping with his wishes, his body has been cremated. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arritt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements....

Gary Lynn Campbell, 70, of Clifton Forge died Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at the Alleghany Health & Rehab Center in Clifton Forge. Mr. Campbell was born September 21, 1950, in Alleghany County, a son of the late Harvey and Nellie Armentrout Campbell. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by three brothers, Ralph Campbell, Danny Campbell and James Campbell and five sisters, Ellen Tucker, Jane Pierce, Patsy Campbell, Thressa Tucker and Isabelle Andrews. Gary loved to hunt and fish and listen to older folks tell stories. Surviving are his Brother, Larry "Mop" Campbell and his wife, Linda, of Covington and a number of nieces and nephews. In keeping with his wishes, his body has been cremated. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arritt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements....