Obituaries

Clinda “Joy” Spence Brackman Weeks, 75, of Covington, died Saturday, August 16, 2025 at the Brian Center – Alleghany in Low Moor.

She was born August 15, 1950, in Bluefield, WV, a daughter of the late Rev. Russell Spence and Reba Bondean Smith Spence. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Emory W. Brackman in 1996; her second husband, Lewis H. Weeks in 2016; a son, Stephen W. Brackman; and her mother and father-in-law, Clate and Glenna Brackman.

Joy devoted her life to serving the Alleghany Highlands community through a distinguished career in healthcare and cultural preservation. She retired from the DaVita Covington Dialysis Center in 2016, having previously contributed her skills at the Greenbrier Clinic, with Dr. Krishna Sankar, Ophthalmologist, at the Chesapeake & Ohio Historical Society in Clifton Forge, and for over two de...

Aneita Roberts (Arritt, Parker, Smith), born on April 8, 1936 lived an eventful and impactful 89 years of life.  Her heart was tired. Her body was weak. So, she left this earth to be with Jesus on August 11, 2025.

Aneita was adopted, as a baby, by William and Cordelia Arritt and their daughter Elizabeth (Aunt Gullie to most of us).  She was blessed by them with the gift of piano lessons. She then blessed and impacted so many others with her amazing God-given talent and practiced skills.  She played for multiple churches, many weddings and funerals. In addition, she played for a local favorite, all male, gospel quartet (well, until Aneita…) called The Announcers.  She also gave lessons to so many individuals in Virginia, and then in Alabama where she taught lessons until she was 88 years old.

Many children were raised or cared for in Aneita’s home—the ...

Peggy Joann “Penny” Smith Wells, 72, of Covington died, Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at the Brian Center Alleghany in Low Moor.

Peggy was born, August 15, 1952, in Alleghany County, and was proceeded in death by her parents, Lowell O’Dell Wolfe and Mikey Carr Wolfe; her husband, Robert “Bob” Douglas Wells who passed away in March of 2025; a son; Donald “Don Don” Kirby; and several brothers and sisters.

She was employed by MeadWestvaco for 26 years and retired in 2001. She was a member of the former Pinnell Chapel United Methodist Church.

Surviving is a daughter, Lisa (Greg) Horton of Clifton Forge; two step-daughters, Theresa (Jay) Perdue of Covington and Sharon Wells of Millboro; a step-son, Doug Wells of Millboro; 17 Grandchildren; 14 Great-Grandchildren; a sister, Pam (Wayne) Evans of Selma; and a brother, Thomas (Diane) S...

Joyce Ilene Kersey Hazen, age 82, of Covington, passed away Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke.

She was born October 31, 1942, in Greenbrier County, WV and was preceded in death by her parents, the late Lewis Lake Kersey and Julie Mae Alexander Kersey McCullough; her husband, William Franklin Hazen and a son, Christopher Allen Hazen.

Joyce was a long-time resident of Covington and have been residing for the past three years at the Carrington Cottage Memory Care in Daleville. She was a member of First Christian Church in Covington for many years.

She leaves to mourn her loss, a daughter, Lisa and her husband David Bush of Troutville; a son Michael Hazen of Covington; a grandson, Chad Bostic of Roanoke; two granddaughters, Brandi and her husband Trenton Cunnningham of Gordo, Alabama and Jenna an...

Harriet Walton Woodward, 79, of Covington, died Saturday, August 2, 2025 at LewisGale Hospital – Alleghany in Low Moor.

She was born October 3, 1945, in Miami, FL, a daughter of the late Harry A. Walton, Jr. and Virginia Robinson Walton and also was preceded in death by Joseph R. Asbury and Charles A. Nuckols, Jr.

Harriet devoted her life to serving the Alleghany Highlands community, beginning with a distinguished career in social services. From 1974 to 1976, she served as Director of the Bath County Department of Social Services, followed by a long tenure at the Alleghany-Covington Department of Social Services from 1976 to 2010, where she advocated for and protected families. She also contributed to the Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Institute for Social Services Training Activities (VCU-VISSTA) and served as President of the Total Action for Progress (TAP) ...

Helen Mary Renar, 68, of Covington, entered into rest on Thursday, July 31, 2025 at her residence.

She was born May 29, 1957, in Washington, D.C., a daughter of the late John R. Nalley and Margaret Goodspeed Nalley. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel T. Renar and a brother, Samuel G. Nalley.

Helen worked as a cook for Arby’s and various other jobs in the area.

Survivors include a daughter, Lisa (Jason) Fischer of Rockville, Md.; two sons, Joseph D. Renar and Timothy J. Renar both of Covington; three grandchildren, Destinie Smith, Amber Dezfoli, and Jade Wolanin; one great granddaughter, Elysia Smith; a sister, Alice Gravely of Potomac, Md.; two brothers, Robert Nalley of Clifton Forge and John Nalley of Frederick, Md. and many family members.

James Stephen “Hooch” White, 76, of White Sulphur Springs, WV, entered into rest on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at his home.

He was born August 14, 1948, in White Sulphur Springs, WV, a son of the late James Myles White and Gladys Virginia Coffey White. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Robert L. “Bob” White.

Hooch devoted his life to serving the White Sulphur Springs community through his work with White Sulphur Springs Emergency Services, where he served with distinction as both a fireman and EMS member. A faithful attendee of Alvon Living Word Church, Hooch also treasured his moments on the golf course, where his passion for the sport flourished as a member of Valley View Country Club.

Survivors include his wife, Linda C. White, of White Sulphur Springs, WV; his son Travis White of Maryla...

Warren Fuller Richmond, 77, of Covington, VA, passed away Monday, July 21, 2025, at the Springs Nursing Home in Hot Springs, following an extended illness.

He was born September 13, 1947, in Pluto, WV to the late Reno Howard and Orva Mae Meadows Richmond.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Elva Richmond; two brothers, Maxie Gene Richmond and Robert David Richmond;  two sisters, Shirley Richmond Keaton and Patricia Gail Richmond Rothe, three sister-in-laws Carolyn Richmond, Pauline Richmond, and Edna Richmond, and brothers-in-law Roy Keaton and Helmut Rothe.

Warren graduated from Richmond High School in 1966; served his country in the United States Army, and was formerly employed for several years at Hercules in Covington.

He is survived by one daughter, C...

William Elantha “Lance” Carson, Jr., 65, of Covington, passed away Saturday, July 19, 2025 at the Brian Center-Alleghany in Low Moor following a courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).

He was born October 16, 1959, in Charlottesville, a son of the late William E. “Kitt” Carson, Sr. and Virginia Cave Carson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters-in-law, Peggy Gabbert Redmon and Virginia Smith Hogg.

Lance dedicated his life to serving the Alleghany Highlands community in numerous ways. He began his career as a social worker with Alleghany-Covington Social Services, Adult Protective Services, retiring in 2018 after many years of impactful service. Following retirement, he continued his commitment to public service by earning a seat on the Covington City Council and was elected Mayor in January 2025. A proud 1983 Ferrum College gradua...

Danny Lee Rowsey, age 49, of Covington, died July 5, 2025, at Lewis Gale Medical Center in Salem.

He was born August 10, 1975 in Huntington, WV, a son of Danny Joe Rowsey and Vickie Lynn Rice Jordan, both of Covington.

For twenty-five years he worked as a journeyman pipefitter for Local Union #10. He was an outstanding family man and loved his German Shepards.

In addition to his parents, survivors include his wife, Gloria Malcom Rowsey of Covington; a son, Gage Rowsey (Grace Hall); a sister, Valerie (Jamie) Schooler; a niece, Isabella Schooler, all of Covington; numerous extended family members; his dogs, Karter, Nova, Chock, Baby, and Dozie; and a special “niece/dog”, Hazel.

In keeping with his wishes his body has been cremated.

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Michael “Mike” Allen Humphries passed away unexpectedly on July 4, 2025, while kayaking on the Jackson River—one of his favorite pastimes. Born on March 24, 1961, Mike was the son of the late Carroll Eugene “Gene” Humphries and Wanda Lewis Callaham of Covington, Virginia. He graduated from Alleghany County High School, where he met his first wife, Teresa.

Left to cherish his memory are his mother, Wanda Lewis Callaham; his two children, Joshua Michael Humphries and wife Ashley Lockhart of Richmond, Virginia; Brooke Humphries, of San Diego, California; his brothers, Mark Lewis Humphries and wife Bonnie of Covington, and John Edward Humphries and wife Leslie of Kingsport, Tennessee; his first wife, Teresa Humphries Stevens, and her husband Nate of Daleville, Virginia; and four beloved nieces and nephews: Jon Patrick Humphries, Megan Humphries Morgan, Staley Humphries, and Stella Humphries.

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Perry Allen Day, Jr., age 82, of Calabash, N.C., died Friday, July 4, 2025, at the McLeod Seacoast Hospital in Little River, S.C.

Perry was born in Narrows, Virginia and was preceded in death by his parents, the late Pauline Robertson and Perry A. Day, Sr.; as well as his wife, Barbara Haynes Day; and a brother, Larry Day.

He had sixty years of service with the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Union Local Lodge 45. He was also an avid golfer and enjoyed nothing more than spending time with his grandchildren.

Surviving is a son, Perry A. Day, III, his wife Dorothy (DJ); three grandchildren, Perry Day, IV, his wife Katlyn as well as Kristen and Emma all from Locust Grove. He is also survived by two sisters, Sandra Price of Covington, Janice Dearing of Virginia Beach and also numerous nieces and nephews.