Obituaries

Sandra Ballard Hermann, 76, of 5401 Johnson Creek Road, died, Friday, October 23, 2020, in the Raleigh Court Health and Rehab Center in Roanoke. Mrs. Herrmann was born August 5, 1944, in Alleghany County a daughter of the late Porter and Louise Mines Ballard. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Porter "Buddy" Ballard, Jr. She had retired from the U.S. Navy with the rank of CPO (E-7) after 20 years of service. She received two Navy Accommodation awards and two Navy Achievement awards during her service and bowled on several bowling teams while in the service. She was a member of the Ogles Creek Baptist Church and loved gardening and being with her family. Surviving are her Husband of 33 years, Joseph Herrmann, of Covington; a Son, James Robinson and his wife, Tammy, of Cumming, GA; two Daughters, Debra Taylor and Todd Fry of Covington and Jackie Pinckney and William Jordan of Waldorf, MD; two Sisters, Helen Marshall and Rosalind Boone and her husband, ...

Gregory Allan Paxton, 68, died Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at Lewis Gale Alleghany Regional in Low Moor. Mr. Paxton was born April 22, 1952, in Covington a son of the late Parker Mann Paxton and Mary Craft Paxton. He had served as a parole officer with the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice. He was a member of McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church. Surviving are his Sister, Brenda Lipes of Covington; his Brother, Berkley Paxton and his Wife, JoAnne, of Covington; two nieces, Cristina Manjarres and her husband, Jorge, of Charlotte, NC, and Holly Clapper and her husband, David, of Lynchburg; two nephews, Travis Lipes and his wife, Amber, of Vinton and Chad Lipes and Marissa Dadura, of Galax; great nieces and nephews, Ana Majarres, Sebastian Manjarres, Corrine Lipes and Eli Clapper. In keeping with his wishes, his body has been cremated. A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 17, 2020, at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Arritt Funeral Home with the Rev. Paul Burns officiating. T...

Mary Rebecca Bogan Broce, 86, of 6805 Jackson River Road at Natural Well died Monday, October 12, 2020, at her home. Mrs. Broce was born August 2, 1934, in Bath County a Daughter of the late Adam Whitfield Bogan and Beulah May Sharp Bogan. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her Husband of 62 years, Clarence A. Broce, her sister, Beatrice "Bea" Smith and an infant grandson, Carson Broce. She was a homemaker and a hairdresser for many years. She was a farmer's wife who loved to see anything grow. Mary was quite in touch with God's beauty. Among her many hobbies were gardening, quilting, and cooking. She was a jack of all trades and had a unique ability to make crafts, quilts and almost anything homemade. She was a faithful member and sang in the choir at Emory United Methodist Church for over 60 years. Surviving are three Sons, Doug Broce and his Wife, Natalie, of Collierstown; Merv Broce of Covington and Tab Broce and his Wife, Angie, of Hot Springs; 10 grandchild...

Elizabeth Hope Richardson, infant Daughter of Richard Richardson II, and April Campbell Richardson was born and returned to Heaven on Friday, October 9, 2020. Elizabeth was preceded in death by a Sister, Kaylee Richardson, her grandfather, Berkley McCormick and great grandfathers, Michael Via, Sr. and Delmer Richardson, Sr. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her big Brother, Joshua Richardson, her big Sister, Serenity Richardson, and grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins Her body has been cremated and a private funeral service will be held at a later date. Arritt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements....

Ruby Dotson Ramsey, 85, of 5317 Indian Draft Road died Thursday, October 8, 2020, at her home. Mrs. Ramsey was born in Covington July 25, 1935, a daughter of the late Charles Lee and Marie Wickline Dotson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two daughters, Valerie Ramsey and Mary Lee Ramsey; one son, Michael "Buddy" Ramsey,III, and one brother, Forest Lee "Sonny" Dotson. Ruby had retired from VDOT as a secretary-dispatcher after 35 years of service. She was a longtime member of Fletcher Chapel United Methodist Church and enjoyed reading, crocheting, puzzles, playing the piano and being a great "Nannie". Surviving are her Daughter, Janie Ramsey, of Covington; three Step-daughters, Kathy Woodson and her husband, Barry and Sue Clemmer, all of Charlottesville and Bonnie Holt and Husband Don of Morgantown, WV two grandchildren, Meagan May, of Floyd and Michael May of Covington and several cousins. In keeping with her wishes her body has been cremated. The memorial serv...

Erma Dean Taylor Lipes, 76, of 704 North Pocahontas Avenue died Wednesday October 6, 2020, in Lewis-Gale Alleghany Regional Hospital at LowMoor. Erma was born December 28, 1943, in Alleghany County a daughter of the late Ernest J. Taylor and Frances Byer Taylor. In addition to her parents, she preceded in death by her companion, George Green, in 2018 and five brothers, Pete Taylor, Ernest "Jack" Taylor, James "Bo Bo " Taylor", Curtis Taylor and Herman Taylor, Sr. Erma had retired from Halmode, Inc. and was a member of Cliff Dale Christian Church. Surviving are her Daughter, Cathy Lipes, of Covington; three Sons, Billy Lipes and his wife, Angie, of Roanoke; Allen Lipes and James Stanley of Gibsonville, NC; and Donnie Lipes and his wife, Jen, of Covington; five grandchildren, Tracie Fridley, and her husband, Mark, Michael Thacker and Megan Bobbitt, all Covington, Travis Lipes and Amber of Vinton, and Chad Lipes, Marissa Dadura of Galax, and Jessica Dawson of Connecticut; seven great gra...

Pamela Ann Bowen Tucker, 57, of 2030 Stewart Avenue started celebrating her life with God on Thursday, September 24, 2020. Mrs. Tucker was born April 16, 1963, in Maryland a daughter of Lula Mae Wright Bowen of Covington and the late James Lee Bowen. In addition to her Father, she was preceded in death by two brothers. She was a member of the Solid Rock Ministries Church. Surviving are four Daughters, Clara Neal, April Tucker and Krystal Tucker and Gary Liptrap, all of Clifton Forge and Britney Lacy, of Baltimore; one Son, Jonah Bowen, of Beckley, WV; four grandchildren, Alanna Neal, Sophia Hippert, Snowy Ann Neal and Isaac Liptrap, all of Clifton Forge; five Sisters, Z. L. Fizer of Florida, Sue Wright Bush, Teresa and Terry Bowen and Elizabeth "Libby" Day, all of Covington and Cookie Wright of Clifton Forge and Danny Tucker, Sr. and several nieces and nephews. In keeping with her wishes, her body has been cremated. A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, October 4, 2020, at 2:00 P...

Goldie Helmintoller Jones, 95, of Covington died Thursday, September 24, 2020, at her daughter's residence. Mrs. Jones was born March 29, 1925, in Alleghany County a Daughter of the late Jasper W. Helmintoller and Clara Virginia Wolfe Helmintoller In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her Husband, James M. Jones, and also by one brother and one sister. Goldie was a longtime member of the Covington Baptist Church. Surviving are Daughter and Son-in-law, Jackie and Rick Neuhs, of Covington; her grandson, Phillip Carpenter, of Covington; her granddaughter, Sandra Craft, and her husband, Carl, of Eagle Rock; two great-grandchildren, Logan Craft and Caleb Craft both of Eagle Rock; her beloved cat, Buddy, and also several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be held Monday, September 28, 2020, at 1:00 PM in the Arritt Funeral Home Chape with the Rev. Brad Armes officiating. The interment will be made in Alleghany Memorial Park. The family will receive their friends...

Edna Collins Walker Buffaloe, 90, of 1412 Hatcher Street died Saturday, September 19, 2020, at her home. Mrs. Buffaloe was born October 26, 1929, in Alleghany County a daughter of the late William and Betty Crane Collins. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first Husband, Cyrus V. "Billy" Walker, her second Husband, Rufus Buffaloe, a Son, Randy Walker, a Grandson, Craig Walker and also by two sisters and one brother. She was the retired office manager of the former dentist office of Dr. Ben Meeks. She was a longtime member of McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church and Circle #2 of the church. She was a member of Good Hope Rebekah Lodge, the Red Hat Society, a Life Member of the Women of the Moose and a Life Member of the VFW Ladies Auxilary Surviving are her Daughter, Charlene Walker of Covington; three Sons, Gary Walker and his Wife, Diane, Tommy Walker and his Wife, Pat, and Danny L. Walker, all of Covington; five grandchildren, Jeff and Beth Walker, Tracey...

Robert Taylor "Wizard" Wright, 56, of Covington passed away Saturday, September 12, 2020, at his residence. Mr. Wright was born July 2, 1964, in Bath County a son of Genevieve Wheeler McKenzie of Clifton Forge and the late Wilbur Allen. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his stepfather, Lloyd McKenzie, a brother, Melvin Wright, a sister, Demeitry Valdez and his grandparents, Eugene and Emma Wright, whom he called mom and dad. Wizard graduated from Bath County High school, class of 1984. He was employed at the Jackson River Enterprise. He was member a member of the Pine Street Baptist Church and he was a huge Michael Jackson fan. He loved to sing and dance. Surviving in addition to his Mother his mother, are sisters and brothers, Renee Wright of Covington, Sandra Dinkins of Macon Ga. ,Louise Wallace and her husband, Jay, of Roanoke, Kirk Wright of Covington, Linda Caldwell and her husband, Rudy, of Hot Springs, and Wanda Caldwell of St. Petersburg, Fl.; Clyde Beale ...

Anna Marie Hart Pifer, 61, of 1417 Russell Dr., died, Thursday September 10, 2020 at Lewis Gale Alleghany Hospital in Low Moor. Mrs. Pifer was born May 22, 1959 in Bluefield, WV a daughter of the late James and Mary Franklin Hart. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by a sister Tammy Casey and a brother Danny Hart. She was a banking financing manager for a number of years at HSBC. She loved to sing and write poetry. Surviving are her husband of 34 years Thomas Pifer of Covington, two daughters and son in laws Tonesia Croft and husband Rich of Chesapeake, and Kimberly Smith and husband Ed of Salem, a son and daughter in law Tommy Pifer Jr. and wife Kelly, seven grandchildren 1 great grandchild, a sister Charlena Elliott of Charleston WV, two brothers Jimmie Hart of Mocksville, NC, Mark Dillon of South Point, OH, a step mother Patricia Hart Price of St Albans, WV, her best friend of fifty years Tammy Brooks, and a number special of nieces and nephews. In keeping with he...

Mary Marie Wright Gaines, 92, died Monday, September 8, 2020, in the Brian Center Nursing Home at LowMoor. Mrs. Gaines was born September 12, 1927, in Alleghany County a Daughter of the late Samuel Wright and Zetta Wright Hubbard. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first Husband, Joseph Persinger, her second Husband, William "Doc" Gaines,a infant child, a son Larry Persinger a step-son, Larry Gaines, a grandson, DeWayne Myers, a step-granddaughter, Angie Gaines, four brothers, Leonard "Fox" Wright, Lewis Wright,Marvin Wright and Davis Wright, and two sisters, Virginia Bowen and Evelyn Meadows. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, and she was a very loving mother and grandmother Surviving are two Daughters, Christine Cole and Joe Baker and Phyllis Sizemore, all of Covington; three Step-sons, Jackie Gaines, Bobby and Darlene Gaines and Gene and Linda Gaines, all of Covington; one Sister, Lula Mae Bowen, of Covington; a number of grandchildren,...