Obituaries

Richard Lee Armentrout, 69, of Covington, died Monday, July 8, 2024 at his residence.

Richard was born March 2, 1955 in Alleghany County, a son of the late Vadis Armentrout and Madeline “Maggie” Tingler Armentrout Simmons. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Ernest Armentrout, Sr.; a special aunt and best friend, Arletta Griffith; and a niece, Carly Simmons.

Mr. Armentrout worked for many years as an operator at Hooker Furniture in Roanoke. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting and trout fishing, tinkering with muscle cars, playing slot machines, and a good game of poker.

Survivors include his brother, Ricky Simmons and his wife, Devin; his step-father, Robert Simmons and his wife Margaret, all of Covington; a niece who was raised in the home, Amanda Silman and her husband, Matt of Hot Spring...

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...

Margaret Pullen Phillips, age 87, of Covington, died Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at her residence.

Ms. Phillips was born March 4, 1937, in Covington to her parents, the late Lewis Raymond Pullen, Melvina Carter Pullen and her husband, Eugene O. Phillips.

She was the Commissioner of Revenue for Covington for a number of years and a member of Temple Baptist Church where she served on the choir and was a Sunday school teacher. Ms. Phillips was a member of B.P.W. of Covington.

Surviving are two daughters, Debra Buckner, and her husband Darin, Sr. of Covington and Denise Ortiz of Lake City, Florida; five grandchildren, Darin Buckner, Jr., and his fiancé McKenzie Allgood, Lindsey Mancini, and her husband Kenneth, Elizabeth Gerlach, and her husband Tim, Carrie Davis, and her fiancé, Gabrial Alejandro Enjamio and Carlos Ortiz; one great...

Larry David Hollifield, 73, of Covington and formerly of Aylett, died Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at his residence.

He was born March 1, 1951 in Greensboro, NC, a son of the late L.E. Hollifield, Jr. and Leona Cobb Hollifield. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Donald Hollifield.

Larry was the owner of Reliable Mechanical Incorporated in Gloucester for many years.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Karen Vienneau Hollifield of Covington; two-step sons, Ted Worlock and Paul Worlock; one sister, Carol Haithcock and her husband, Orvis; one special niece, Briana Brown; one special great-niece, Jordan Pickard; and one special great-great-nephew, Hayes Pickard and along with other  nieces and nephews.

In keeping with his wishes, his body has bee...

Gladys Elizabeth Johnson, age 98 of Covington, departed this life on Monday, July 1, 2024 at the Brian Center Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Facility in Low Moor.

Ms. Gladys was born, May 9, 1928, in Oriskany, and was preceded in death by her mother, the late Bertha Marylin Johnson; one sister and two brothers.

She grew up in Covington, working as a housekeeper as an adult for the David Burrows family in Roanoke who held a special place in her heart. Ms. Gladys was an active member of the church she truly cherished, Pine Street Baptist Church for most of her adult life. She attended church services regularly, Sunday School and B.T.U. She served on the usher board and was a member of the Loyal Daughter’s Ministry. She really enjoyed going to the Senior Center several days a week and was member of the Red Hat Association. She was a very friendly, strong and independent la...

Annie Mae Dowdy Rose, 87, of Rockingham County and formerly of Nellysford, Manassas and Covington, died Monday, July 1, 2024 at The Phoenix Assisted Living Community in Rockingham County.

Mrs. Rose was born October 7, 1936, in Buckingham County, a daughter of the late Horace Christian and Elsie Florine Griffith Dowdy. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, Madison Carter; and one sister and brother-in-law, Peggy and Pete Carlin.

Annie Mae graduated from George Washington High School in 1955 and from Ferrum Junior College in 1957, where she met the love of her life, John “Bob” Robert Rose, Sr. The two then transferred to Emory & Henry College, where Annie Mae graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Education in 1959. She began her professional career as a Business Education teacher at Glade Spring High School before movi...

Ralph Garnett Kelley Sr., age 83, of Covington, passed away due to an unfortunate accident on Wednesday, June 26, 2024.

Mr. Kelley was born on March 14, 1941 in Williamson, WV.  He was the son of the late Edward and Velvie Wright Kelley; other than his parents he was preceded in death by an infant brother, Carlos Elwood Kelley.

Mr. Kelley attended Covington High School and Dabney S. Lancaster Community College, he served in the United States Navy from 1958 to 1962, he retired from Westvaco with forty-one years of service, and served as a volunteer at WECCU (Jackson River Credit Union) for thirty-two years. Ralph was also a member of the Callaghan Ruritan Club and he enjoyed volunteering at local churches as a Sunday school teacher and a song leader.

Ralph enjoyed attending auction sales, flea markets, buying, selling ...

Franklin Delanor Haynes, Sr., age 86 of Covington, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, June 23, 2024, at his residence.

He was born February 12, 1938, to the late Edgar John Haynes and Maude T. Haynes. He is survived by his wife, Ella M. Haynes and was employed with Hercules Corporation and was also, a general contractor for many years.

Frank was an avid hunter and fisherman and spent time in the outdoors with family and friends; both those he shared with for many years and many he discipled through common love for God’s creations.

In addition to his beloved wife Ella of Covington for sixty-four years, he leaves to mourn his loss, a son, Frankie Haynes, Jr. and wife Rhonda of Covington; a daughter, Angie Lomasney and husband Mike of Covington; a daughter, Missie Persinger and husband Jeff of Clifton Forge; ...

John Darrell Perkins, 63, of Eagle Rock, died Monday, June 17, 2024 at his residence.

John was born July 9, 1960 in Alleghany County, a son of the late William J. Perkins and Doris Simmons Perkins Hartman of Covington. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his brother, Andy Perkins.

Mr. Perkins retired from Altec in 2022. He loved riding his Harley Davidson and classic cars.

In addition to his mother, he survived by his sweetheart of 22 years, Teresa Gunter Thomas of Eagle Rock; a daughter, Jenna Perkins of Roanoke; two bonus children, Kasey Whitaker of Daleville, Dustin (Ashely) Thomas of Roanoke; one sister, Beckey (Mike) Dabbs of Covington; one brother, Billy Perkins of Salem; grandchildren, Natalie Whitaker, Chelsie Whitaker, Julie Whitaker, Colton Thomas, and Reagan Thomas; and number of nieces and nephews.

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Clinton Maxwell Meadows, age 40, of Covington, died Saturday, June 15, 2024, at Lewis-Gale Medical Center in Salem.

Clinton was born, August 3, 1983, in Michigan; and was preceded in death by his mother, the late Yvonne Lynn Meadows Rose.

He worked for a number of years for various contractors.

Other than his father, Justin Shankle of Alabama, Clinton is survived by his companion, Joy King of Covington and her daughter, KateLynn Prim of Covington; an uncle, Freddie Meadows of Wise; an aunt, Sarah Wegienka of Michigan; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Abiding with the wishes of Clinton, his body has been cremated and a memorial service will be held at a later time.

Arritt Funeral Home has been entrusted with handl...

Melissa Tucker “Puddles” Dunsmore, 52, of Covington, died Friday, June 14, 2024 at her residence.

Melissa was born November 12, 1971, in Covington, a daughter of George and Eve Higgins Tucker of Covington. She was preceded in death by her beautiful daughter, Amber Paige Dunsmore; a half-sister, Rose Simmons; and her best friend, Lorette Dunsmore.

She worked for many years as a CNA in the Alleghany Highlands. Melissa was truly one of a kind. She was loved and will be missed by many.

In addition to her parents, she is survived by her daughter, Danielle Kirk and her husband, James of White Sulphur Springs, WV; a son, Brandon Dunsmore of Lewisburg, WV; her boyfriend, Jay Kellison of Covington; two brothers, Henry Tucker, and David Tucker and his wife, Angel, all of Covington; a half-brother, Matt Sim...

Bonnie Mae Smith Neal, age 74, of Falling Spring, went to be with her Lord on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at her home, peacefully surrounded by her family.

Mrs. Neal was born January 26, 1950, in Falling Spring and was preceded in death by her parents, the late Phillip Johnson Smith and Edna Persinger Smith; her husband, Thomas Lynn Neal and her beloved “doggie daughter’, Morgan Le Fay.

Bonnie Mae was that “one-of-a-kind soul” who loved everyone who crossed her path, and each person she met loved her in return.  She enjoyed gardening, watching her hummingbirds and collecting destination spoons. Most of all she loved her family and devoted her life to her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a wonderful ‘Mom’ and ‘Nana’. We will carry her memory with us always, cherishing the moments shared, and she will forever be deeply missed.