Obituaries

Arthur Basil Bryan, 77, of Covington, died Thursday, August 1, 2024 at LewisGale-Alleghany Hospital in Low Moor.

Mr. Bryan was born June 13, 1947, in Kingston, Jamaica, a son of the late Caryle Bryan and Sybil Paisley Hamilton. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his step-father, William Hamilton; three sisters, Norma Anderson, Carmen Gabriel, and Elaine Smalls; and one brother, Evol Bryan.

Arthur emigrated to the United States in 1972, embarking on a professional career that would span the better part of five decades between The Homestead and Greenbrier resorts. He began his career as a waiter at the Omni Homestead, where his magnetic personality and attention to detail would see him promoted to various other positions, culminating in being named the Food & Beverage Manager in the years before his retirement. He was an avid golfer, gardener, fish...

Clarence Edward Rector, Jr., 75, of Covington, Virginia, passed on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at LewisGale Hospital Alleghany in Low Moor, Virginia.

Clarence, affectionately called Edward, “Heck” and Rector by family and friends, was born on Tuesday, August 17, 1948, in Davidson County, North Carolina, to the late Clarence and Esther Mae Baucom Rector.

He graduated from Dunbar High School in Lexington, North Carolina in 1966. Heck worked as a Bellman at The Homestead 1766 Resort (now, the Omni Homestead Resort) in Hot Springs, Virginia, until retiring after 40 years of service. He played and enjoyed watching golf on TV and discussing politics.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Torrence Denard Bethea, and his brother-in-law, Louis Sheffield.

Clarence will be remembered and survived by thre...

Juanita “Pete” Harris Wright 75, of Covington, died Thursday, July 25, 2024 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

Mrs. Wright was born October 9, 1948 in Alleghany County, a daughter of the late Roy Harris and Lucille “Polly” Haynes Harris. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John Henry Wright; one son, John W. Wright; three sisters, Sarah Harris, Dorothy Keith, and Phyllis Nida; and two brothers, Vernon Harris and Tom Harris.

Pete loved being with her family.

Survivors include her daughter, Sandra Goad of Roanoke; two sons, Terry Wright and Melissa Carson of Jacksonville, FL and Randy Wright of Upper Marlboro, MD.; six grandchildren, Curtis (Samantha) Wright, Kelly (Justin) Foster, Kyleigh (Jonathan) Wright, Crystal (Andrew) Tyree, Emily Bounsong, and Elizabeth Bounsong; a number of grea...

Jennifer Herstine Abbott, 51, of Covington, died Saturday July 21, 2024, at her residence.

She was born January 2, 1973 in Roanoke, a daughter of  Allan P. White and Susan Simpson Mclean.

Surviving is a daughter, Halley Herstine of Covington; a son Nicholas Herstine of Covington six grandchildren; and one sister, Becky White of Roanoke.

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

A private service will be held at later date.

Arrangements are being handled by Arritt Funeral Home.

Friends wishing to send condolences to the family may do so at arrittfuneralhome.com.

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Betty Groves Wiseman, age 89, of Covington, died Friday, July 19, 2024, at the Brian Center Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Facility in Low Moor.

Betty was born February 18, 1935, in Covington, and was preceded in death by her parents, the late Arlin James Groves and Grace Robinson Thompson; her husband, Perry A. Wiseman; a brother, James Groves and a sister, Judy Elmore.

She was a active member of Faith Baptist Church until her illness.

Surviving is her daughter, Linda Cartwright and her husband Garth; two grandchildren, Lindsay Cartwright and Melanie (Barry) Schell of Covington; four great grandchildren, Carter, Oakley, Brycen and Parker; three sisters, Peggy Landrum, JoAnn (Charles) Slayton, and Linda (Chub) Lemons all of Covington; a niece, Kim Vass of Covington; and other nieces, nephews and Wiseman family.

Patricia Adair Howard Andrews, 91, of Covington, died Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at her residence.

Mrs. Andrews was born April 5, 1933 in Alleghany County, a daughter of the late Aruthur P. Howard and Velma Snyder Howard. In addition to her parents, she was preceded by her husband Richard S. Andrews; two daughter, Carolyn Dockery; Linda Howard; one son, Julian Howard; one grandson, Bryan Dockery; and four sisters and one brother.

Patricia worked in maintenance for the Arlington School District for many years. In her spare time, she enjoyed being with her family and friends.

Surviving is one daughter, Cynthia Crowder and her husband, Greg, of Covington; one son, Anthony Howard of Winchester; five grandchildren; two great grandchildren; one sister, Bertha Howard of Clifton Forge; one brother, Carton Howard of Texas; and a number...

James Robert Leslie, 71, of Covington, died Monday, July 15, 2024, at LewisGale-Alleghany Regional Hospital in Low Moor.

Mr. Leslie was born December 15, 1953, in San Diago, California, a son of the late Walter Leslie and Barbara Biggs Leslie of Florida.  In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Diana Leslie; daughter, Theresa Rudd; an infant sister and two brothers.

James was a certified welder for many years.

In addition to his mother, survivors include his wife, Charlotte Losh Leslie of Covington; six children; and number of grandchildren.

In keeping with his wishes his body has been cremated.

A memorial service is planned for a later date.

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Dennis Neal Loan, 63, of Newport News and formerly of Covington, died Monday, July 15, 2024 at Riverside Regional Hospital in Newport News.

Dennis was born August 13, 1960, a son of the late Homer R. Loan, Sr. and Dorothy Downey Loan. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Homer, “Butch” Loan, Jr.

Mr. Loan attended Chowan University where he obtained an associates degree in photography. He worked at Newport News Shipbuilding for over 40 years. In his spare time, he loved to compete in chili cook-offs and was an avid golfer.

Survivors include a sister, Barbara Rose of Covington; one brother, Wayne Loan of Houston, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews.

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

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Nancy Alice Alford of Covington, age 84, died Sunday, July 14, 2024 at the Brian Center Rehabilitation & Nursing Care facility. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and Arritt Funeral Home have been entrusted with handling her arrangements.

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Gladys Rock Bates, 83, of Gloucester and formerly of Covington, died Saturday, July 13, 2024 at Riverside Walter Reed Hospital in Gloucester.

Mrs. Bates was born February 7, 1941, in Alleghany County, a daughter of the late Joe and Martha Hepler Rock. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin Eugene Bates; one brother, Joe W. Rock, Sr.; and one sister, Joyce Shires.

Gladys was a very giving person – spending her life as a homemaker to her children and grandchildren. She loved to read, most often from the Bible, as well as playing computer games in her spare time. She was a member of Dunlap Christian Church and the Northampton Church of Christ for many years, serving as her Bible class secretary and teaching vacation Bible school.

Surviving are her two daughters, Donna Shiflett and her husb...

David Louis Catlett, 84, of Covington, died Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at LewisGale-Alleghany Hospital in Low Moor.

David was born June 5, 1940, in Alleghany County, a son of the late Louis “Bill” Catlett and Hattie Boggs Catlett. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Angela Yvonne Catlett; two brothers, Billy T. Catlett and George F. Catlett; a sister, Rachel Catlett Smith; and a sister-in-law, Linda Frame.

Mr. Catlett loved photography, history and genealogy and was member of the Sons of the Confederacy as well as the Alleghany Geneological Society.

Surviving is his wife of 64 years, Miriam Smith Catlett of Covington; a daughter, Susan Elmore and her husband, Mark, of Clifton Forge; a son, David L. Catlett, Jr. of Covington; seven grandchildren, Richard Hoke, Jr., Chistopher Hoke, Patrick Hoke...

Linda Banker Jennings, 69, of Covington, died Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at the Brain Center-Alleghany in Low Moor.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and being handled by Arritt Funeral Home.

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