Obituaries

Nancy Lee Clark, age 83, of Gallipolis, Ohio, formerly of Covington, died Thursday, January 1, 2026, at Holzer Hospital in Gallipolis, Ohio.

Nancy was born, June 20, 1943, in Giles County, and was preceded in death by her parents, the late Rufus Gautier, Sr. and Blanche Harry Gautier; a brother and a sister.

She worked for years as a CNA at a nursing home.

Surviving are her two daughters, Leisa Clark of Covington, Kim Clark of Covington; two sons, Terry Clark of North Carolina, Steven Clark of Covington; eleven grandchildren and a number of great grandchildren; two sisters, Sabrina Demaris of Prescott, Arizona, Charlotte Martin of Covington and many family members.

In keeping with her wishes is she will be cremated and a memorial service will be held at a later date.

I am writing my own obituary because I can. At age 83, my spirit decided to leave this world on December 29, 2025.

I was born on September 27, 1942, a daughter of Bud and Doris Fridley of Callaghan. I have one sister, Sandy Fridley Dunaway of Covington.

I was a graduate of Dunlap High School and continued my education through DSLCC (now Mountain Gateway Community College) and the Virginia Association of Healthcare Facilities. I received a degree from Virginia Commonwealth University as a national healthcare administrator with numerous certifications in the healthcare field.

I worked very hard my whole life in a variety of jobs and met so many wonderful people – my memories are amazing. Relationships are difficult and sometimes irreconcilable.

My first marriage was to Charlie...

Clyde Ellis Ayers, 83, of Covington, died Monday, December 29,2025 at University Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville.

He was born January 28, 1942 in Covington, a son of the late John E. Ayers and Thelma Seldomridge Ayers. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Paul E. Ayers; and two special friends Romaine Burns and Peggy Markham.

Clyde served in the United States Navy and was member Hokes Chapel United Methodist Church.

Surviving are two brothers, Thomas Ayers of Low Moor and Garland (Carloyn) Ayers of Ocala, FL; and a number of nieces and nephews.

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

A memorial service in his honor is being planned for a later date.

Clayton Douglas Wright, Sr., 82, of Covington, died Monday, December 22, 2025 at his residence.

He was born May 2, 1943 in Alleghany County, a son of the late Frank and Roxie Arritt Wright. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Evelyn Faye Snyder Wright; five sisters, Lillian Bogar, Della VanNevelle, Shirley LaDue, Daisy Hepler, and Mattie Thomas; five brothers, Lawrence Wright, Connie Wright, Everette Wright, Charles E. Wright, and Saford W. Wright.

Clayton retired in 2004 from the Covington City Public School system after thirty years of dedicated service in maintenance. Above all, he will be remembered by his loved ones as a devoted family man.

Survivors include his wife, Hazel Stuple Wright of Covington; two sons, Clayton D. Wright, Jr., of Goodview and Andrew C. (Jennifer) Wright of I...

Brian Keith Staton, 62, of Lexington and formerly of Covington, died Friday, December 19, 2025.

He was born November 14, 1963 in Clifton Forge, a son of the late Wiliam F. and Rita Arritt Staton.

Brian was a 1983 graduate of Covington High School and received job training at the Woodrow Wilson Vocational Training Center in Fishersville. He was employed for a number of years at the Home Shopping Network warehouse in Salem. In his spare time, Brian enjoyed drawing and writing short stories.

Survivors include his siblings, Gwynith S. Wood of Roanoke, Alan D. Staton of Covington, James B. Staton of Yokosuka, Japan, Justin D. Staton of Littleton, CO, Jimmy Gillispie of Wasilla, AK, and Marie Bailey of Waynesboro; and his stepmother, Norma Staton of Wasilla, AK.

A memorial service...

Annabelle Johnson Bennett, 87, of Covington, died Thursday, December 18, 2025.

She was born April 10, 1938 in Hinton, WV, a daughter of the late Dolphus and Gwen Frantz Johnson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by son, David ”Monkey”  Bennett; two sisters, Barbara Cales and Nancy Neely; two brothers, Jerry Johnson and Edward Johnson; and the father of her children, Arthur G. Bennett.

Annabelle retired from the former TPM, inc. in Low Moor after many years of service in the maintenance department.

Survivors include her two daughters, Terri (Wayne) Perkins of Catawba and Lisa (Eric) Morris of Covington; one granddaughter, Jessica Perkins of Charlotte, NC; one grandson, Seth Perkins of Catawba; one brother, Curtis (Nancy) Johnson; four sisters, Maxine Payne, Mary Tucker, Dorothy Tucker, and Linda Egg...

Robert “Bobby” Eugene Paxton, age 79, of Covington, died Sunday, December 14, 2025, at his residence.

Bobby was born, June 9, 1946, in Alleghany County, and was preceded in death by his parents, the late Howard B. Paxton, Sr. and Phyllis Tucker Paxton; a brother, Howard “Junie” B. Howard, Jr.; a daughter, Crystal Paxton; and a great-grandchild, Brynnlee Willow Hicks.

For over twenty years Bobby worked at the former Hercules/AET plant until it closed and afterwards was head of security at Alleghany Regional Hospital. He was a former member of Pinnell Chapel United Methodist Church and proudly served in the National Guard for more than twenty years.  He was an avid baseball player and fan, cherished his time hunting and fishing, and loved wrestling and classic westerns.

Left to mourn his loss is his wife of 59 years, Vi...

James Daymond Lewis Jr., known to all simply as Daymond, left this world on Friday, December 5, 2025 at the Virginia Salem Medical Center in Salem, surrounded by those that loved him. Leaving behind a legacy of laughter, music, and unforgettable stories.

He was preceded in death by his mother, the late Brenda Lewis; his grandmother, Pearl Hughson; his grandfather, Willie Hoe; his stepmother, Janice Lewis; his stepbrother, Michael Vaughn; his cousin and good friend, Otis Marshall.

Born on September 13, 1966, Daymond lived a life full of rhythm, sometimes jazz, sometimes his own beat, and he made sure everyone around him felt it. His laugh was unmistakable, the kind that filled a room before he even walked into it, and his heart was somehow even bigger.

Daymond loved a good drive with the windows down and the music up. He was happiest at cookouts with his friends and family, confidently burning everythi...

Stella May Angle Cale, age 87, of Covington, died Sunday, November 23, 2025, at her residence.

Stella was born June 15, 1938, in Alleghany County, and was preceded in death by her parents, the late Winfred J. and Mary Grzyb Angle; her husband, William “Willie” Cale; one sister, Nellie Honaker; five brothers, John, Joe, Mike, Tom, and Robert Angle.

She enjoyed being a homemaker, loved raising her children, and in her pastime, she watched television, worked puzzles and just enjoyed the comforts of home.

Stella leaves to mourn her loss, two sons, Darrell (Susie) Crowder of Eagle Rock, B.J. Cale of Houston, Texas; one daughter, Lisa Cale of Roanoke; four grandchildren; four sisters, Alice (Mark) Mirando of Centerville, Catherine Higgins of Clifton Forge, Patsy (Donnie) Cale of Covington, Debbie Dolan of Bedford; two brothers, ...

Katherine Elizabeth Wolfe, age 80, originally of Alleghany County, died Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at her residence in Zanesville, OH.

Kathy was born November 10, 1945, and was preceded in death by her parents, the late Howard L. and Beatrice Redman Wolfe; three brothers, Melvin Wolfe, Sherman “Hank” Wolfe and Richard Wolfe.

Surviving are her sisters, Brenda W. Cade of Covington, Carol (Gary) Persinger of Dripping Springs, Texas, Doris Eller of Toledo, Ohio; a special friend and business partner for many years, Sandy Sherlock of Zanesville, Ohio; several nieces, nephews and other family members whom she adored.

Katherine was the co-owner of Worthington Interiors in Zanesville, Ohio. She received a Bachelor Degree from Kentucky Christian College; was a former employee of Genesis Hospital and attended North Terrace Church o...

It is with great sadness the family announces the passing of our beloved mother, Mildred Elizabeth Persinger Kemper, age 88, formerly of Covington, who left us on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at her residence in Richmond surrounded by her loved ones.

Mildred was born, December 22, 1936 in Alleghany County, a daughter of the late James Earl and Ella Wolfe Persinger. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Leon Kemper; a brother, John Persinger and a sister Anne Persinger Bowen.

Mildred enjoyed working alongside her husband at their business, Kemper Antique Brick Company, for many years. She also enjoyed being involved with the Lutheran Church.

Survivors include her loving daughter, Nancy Kemper Carns and husband David Carns of Richmond; three sons, Donald P. Kemper of Maryland, Dale L. Kemp...

Lena Brown Bess, 98, of Covington, died Monday, November 3, 2025 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke.

She was born March 4, 1927 in Birch River, WV, a daughter of the late Fred and Ida Brown. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin S. Bess; her step-mother, Bessie Brown; two daughters, Kathy Bess and Thelma Korman; two sons, Ryland Bess and Norman Bess; one grandson, Charles Cole; one great-great granddaughter, Emma Arthur; two sisters; and five brothers.

Lena retired from the former Halmode, Inc. as a seamstress and previously worked at the Industrial Rayon Plant in Covington. In her spare time, she enjoyed spending time with her family, cooking, sewing, traveling, and cheering for the Atlanta Braves. She was a member of Edgemont Presbyterian Church.

Survivors include her ...