Obituaries

Richard Lee “Sarge” Watson, age 89, of Covington, died Thursday, June 12, 2025 at his residence.

Richard was born March 3, 1936, in Randolph County, WV, and was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Beulah Watson; his wife, Shelby Hubbard Watson; and a son, Ricky Watson; his twin brother, Robert Lewis Watson; five brothers, Edgar Landin Watson, Homer Doyle Watson, Wilbur Watson, William Watson, Delmes Watson; two sisters, Eva Watson Dressler Winkler and Helen Watson Kern; a special companion, Reba Byer; and Bill Dawson, his best friend.

He loved dogs and cats, and after rescuing them he would take them to the veterinarian for care. He enjoyed listening to Bluegrass Gospel Music and rebuilding computers and giving them to children.  He always helped others whenever they needed him. Richard served in the United States Air Force for twenty-two years which include...

Betty Lewis Snyder Rogers, age 89, of Covington, died Thursday, June 5, 2025 at her residence.

Betty was born, January 26, 1936, in Sweet Chalybeate, and was preceded in death by her parents, the late John and Dorothy Snyder; her husband, Bobby Dean Rogers; two sisters, Minnie S. Rose and Armilda Bradley; two brothers, Donald R. Snyder and Gene N. Snyder.

She leaves to mourn her loss, four daughters, Susan G. Rogers of San Antonio, Texas, Patricia R. Helmick and husband Wayne of Rapid City, SD, Teresa R. Knick and husband Willie of Covington, Sandra R. Issigonis and husband John of Clayton, NC; seven grandchildren, Kylene R. Hayslett, Heidi K. Walls, Tamra M. Knick, Anastasia R., Avery M., Alexa M., Aidan P. Issigonis; one great-granddaughter, Reagan D. Walls and numerous family members.

Betty adored traveling with her dau...

Richard “Rick” Wayne Gibson, age 57, of Covington, died Sunday, May 18, 2025, at his residence.

Rick was born December 23, 1967, in Alleghany County to his parents, Larry and Karen Munsey Gibson. In addition to his parents, he leaves to mourn his loss his wife of thirty-four years, Edna Keith Gibson; one son, Alex Gibson and his wife Dorothy, all of Covington; one daughter, Rachel Gibson of Roanoke; a granddaughter, Charlotte Gibson; his brother, Michael Gibson and wife Becky of Buchanan; a niece, Gabby (Griff) Wood; a nephew, Gabe Gibson and finance, Rachel Mcel Downey; and numerous other family members.

Rick served his country in the United States Airforce; also, was employed with Westrock for thirty-two years as a millwright and was a member of the local 675 union. He got much joy riding his motorcycle and enjoyed tinkering in many things, m...

Brady Lewis Wolfe, 66, of Clifton Forge, died Thursday, May 15, 2025 at LewisGale Medical Center in Salem.

Brady was born on January 28, 1959, in Alleghany County, a son of the late Rodney Eugene Wolfe, Sr. and Dorothy Moore Wolfe. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, “Budgie” Wolfe.

Mr. Wolfe worked for several years as a truck driver before his retirement. He enjoyed NASCAR collectibles and Harley-Davidson motorcycles. He was a member of the Clift Church of God of Prophecy.

Survivors include one brother, Rodney (Margaret) Wolfe, Jr. of Covington; two sisters, Crystal (Daymond) Lewis of Covington, and Taynia (David) Gilliland of Mt. Pleasant, TN; numerous nieces and nephews; and a special furry friend, Puppy Pup.

A private service will be held ...

Betty Gene Downey Tucker, 83, of Waitville, WV, died Thursday, May 15, 2025 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and being handled by Arritt Funeral Home 

...

Beverly Harrison Morgan, age 87, of Covington, passed away on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at her residence.

She was born on May 27, 1937 in Nevada, Missouri, a daughter of the late Floyd and Helen Roush Harrison. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Fagen; and two special friends, Nora and Corkey Rothrock.

Beverly worked as a teacher’s assistant in the Covington City Public School system for many years. She was a member of Grace Brethen Church in Covington and the Star City T-bird Car Club in Roanoke.

She leaves to mourn her loss, her husband, Charles “Buck” Morgan of Covington; her children, Larry (Paige) Morgan of Covington, Loveda (Ricky) Mixson of Pensacola, FL,  Kevin (Linda) Morgan of Pensacola, FL, Cecil (Nancy) Morgan of Roanoke, and Anita Morgan of Covington; six grandchildren, N...

David Gage McCallister, 23, of Potts Creek, went home Thursday, May 1, 2025.

Gage was born on May 7, 2001 in Low Moor. He was a 2020 graduate from Alleghany High School and employed by Modine in Lexington. Gage loved to hunt and fish, spend time with his family and friends, and be noisy everywhere he went. His smile and laugh were infectious, and he was not afraid to be the comedian in any room. He lived loudly and loved fiercely. We should all strive to live and love like Gage.

Those who have gone home before Gage include his grandmother, Betty Morris McCallister “MawMaw”, Uncle Tony McCallister, and Uncle Wayne Watson.

So many are here to cherish his memory, including his fiancé, Lexxy Tucker; daughter, Adilee Layne; his parents, Heather Watson Williams, Scott Williams, and David Ray McCallister; a brother, Collin Willia...

Joyce Persinger Rose, 67, of Clifton Forge, died Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at the Woodlands Health and Rehab Center in Clifton Forge.

She was born December 3, 1957 in Campell County, a daughter of the late Betty Collins Persinger and Frank Persinger, Sr., of Clifton Forge. In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by her husband, Barry E. Rose; and a sister, Melissa Persinger.

A former employee of Kroger’s in Covington and Sonoco in Clifton Forge, Joyce was a member of Mallow Presbyterian Church and a retired member of the Clifton Forge Rescue Squad, where she also belonged to the Founder’s Auxiliary.

In addition to her father, survivors include a daughter, Heather Brooks; granddaughters, Paisley Brooks, Tinley Brooks, and Everley Brooks; a brother, Frank (Mary) Persinger, all of Clifton Forge; a sister, Debrah ...

Jill Helene Hayward, age 62, died Saturday, April 19, 2025, at the Lewis Gale Medical Center in Salem.

Jill was born May 17, 1962 in White Plains, NY, and was preceded in death by her parents, the late James R. Burns and Jane Burns Hayward.

During her lifetime she was a kind, generous, hardworking and a responsible person around all who knew her. She has been a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s most of her life and served Jehovah since the summer of 1983. She loved speaking to others about the faith she had in God’s word and the hope she had for the future. She believed in the resurrection hope held out in the Bible, which gave her comfort. She was successful and enjoyed working as a Financial Manager for many car dealerships throughout her lifetime.

Jill leaves to mourn her lost, a brother, Robert (Angie) Hayward of...

Charles John Krohn, age 77 of Hot Springs, passed away on April 18, 2025.

Arrangements are being handled by Arritt Funeral Home.

...

Barbara Jean Yant Gammon passed away on Thursday, April 17, 2025 in Covington, VA. 

She was born on February 8, 1944 in Giles County, TN and was 81 years old. She was a graduate of Elkton School in Elkton, TN where she loved and played basketball.

Barbara was full of life, she had a big personality, lived life to fullest and one day at a time. She worked her life career as a cook and manager of the Huddle House in Murfreesboro, TN and Antioch, TN where she lived many years. In her later years she worked at Shady Lawn Truck Stop and the Waffle House until she fully retired. Known to her family and friends as "Barbara Jean", "Aunt Bob", "Bob", and "the wrinkled ale cowgirl"

She was preceded in death by:

Her parents: Johnnie and Mary Hill Yant

Sisters and Brother-n-laws: Betty ...

Sherman “Hank” Junior Wolfe, age 86, passed away Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at Brookdale Senior Living Facility in Roanoke.

Sherman was born May 17, 1938 in Alleghany County, and was preceded in death by his parents, the late Howard Lee Wolfe and Beatrice Redman Wolfe; his wife Barbara Ellen Robinson Wolfe; two brothers, Melvin Wolfe and Richard “Porky” Wolfe.

He served in the United States Army and worked for many years as a self-employed paint and body specialist. Sherman loved singing, playing the guitar, and had a deep passion for Harley-Davidsons. He was also an avid listener of Bill Monroe's music.

Survivors include his son, Charles Wolfe (Tammy Platt); two daughters, Lisa Wolfe and Tammy Wolfe, all of Roanoke; a granddaughter, Brandie Taylor (David); and a great-grandchild, Charlie Taylor, all of Waynesboro; four sist...