Obituaries

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 ...

Frances Whiting Bush, 97, of Covington, died Friday, October 31, 2025 at her residence.

She was born August 20, 1928 in New Castle, a daughter of the late James L. Whiting, Sr. and Carrie Caldwell Whiting. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Ray Bush; two daughters, Deborah Stinnett and Dreama Carson; one sister, Carol Whiting; three brothers, James L. Whiting, Jr., Lawrence “Gene” Whiting, and Frederick Whiting; three grandchildren, Sherri Hulcher, Alan Humphries, and Stacey Timaro; and one great-grandchild, Joey Harmon.

Frances was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a member of the Boiling Springs Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and the Potts Valley Singers, and she stayed active with the League of Older Americans until her health no longer allowed. She loved puzzles, bird watching, and tending to her flowers.

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Isabell Mae Tingler Hosey, age 79, of Covington, passed away Monday, October 27, 2025 surrounded by her family at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

She was born April 30, 1946 in Covington, a daughter of the late Kennen Hosey and Mary Bowen Hosey. In addition to her parents, she was proceeded in death by her husband, William Homer Tingler; a daughter, Delores Tingler; a granddaughter, Tonya Tingler; one brother, Mike Hosey; and two sisters, Christine Hosey and Edith May.

Isabell cherished solving word searches and playing video games, delighted in spending time with her family, and held her faith with unwavering strength.

Surviving is her daughter, Vickie Tingler of Covington; her two sons, Kenneth Tingler of Covington and Moe (Cyndi) Tingler of Selma; three brothers, Keith Hosey, George Hosey, and Wendell Hosey; two sis...

Geraldine Faith Thornton Vass, age 84, of Covington, died Sunday, October 26, 2025, at her residence, surrounded by family.

Geraldine was born October 8, 1941 in Lindside, WV to her parents, the late Luke and Vienna Harvey Thornton. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her brother, Calvin Thornton; and four sisters, Jo Chapman, Lennie Roles, Lillie Wickline, and Susan Thornton.

She was a homemaker most of her life and enjoyed beautiful flowers, cooking, and baking for her family that she adored.

Surviving to mourn her loss is her loving husband, Jack Vass; three wonderful children, Terry (Carol) Vass, Melisa (Richard) Crizer, Matt (Kristin) Vass; five adorable grandchildren, Luke Vass, Jackleen Butler, (Bradley) Zach Crizer, Owen Burch, Shelby Vass; nieces and nephews and other family members.

Janet Robinson White, age 72, of Covington, died Tuesday, October 22, 2025, at the Springs Nursing Home in Hot Springs.

Janet was born, July 3, 1953, in Alleghany County, and was preceded in death by her parents, the late Carl Richard and Vaughinie Bell Robinson which she was an only child.

She received her education from Covington High School, Dabney S. Lancaster Community College and Radford University where she received a BS in Elementary Education. She was a member and a Sunday School Teacher at the Good News Fellowship Church for many years. Janet loved being an Elementary School Teacher at Callahan Elementary School teaching children Kindergarten through the 3rd grade. She did informal home schooling, preparing Danielle for kindergarten. After retiring from teaching, she enjoyed working hard outside around the house, mowing grass, washing the cars and keeping every...

Leah “Dolly” Hosey Perez, age 73, of Selma, died Monday, October 20, 2025 at the Woodlands Nursing and Rehab Center in Clifton Forge.

She was born March 26, 1952 in Bath County, a daughter of the late Richard C. and Mary Jackson Hosey. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John R. Perez, a sister, Brenda Craft; a son-in-law Timothy Fisher. 

Dolly worked as a seamtress at Halmode Inc. in Covington for many years.

Surviving is her daughter Cathy A. Fisher of Ringgold; three sons, John R. Perez of Tyler, Tx., William (Tammy) Hosey of Co., Scootie W. (Patty) Perez of English, WV.; twelve grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two brothers, Ira (Christine) Hosey of Hot Springs, Wendell (Patsy) Hosey of Covington; many nieces, nephews and other family members; her beloved dog and companion, ...

Mr. Terry Lee Rock, 77, of Kernersville, NC and formerly of Covington, passed away on October 16, 2025 under the care of Select Specialty Hospital at Moses Cone in Greensboro.

Born in Pageton, WV, he was the son of the late Joseph and Martha Rachel Hepler Rock and husband of Dana Clarkson Rock.

Terry was a veteran of the United States Army and served his country in Vietnam. For his service and valor, he was the recipient of a Bronze Star. He was very proud of his service to his country.

Terry is survived by his loving wife, Dana Rock; his children, Raymond Rock and Russell Rock; his grandchildren, Austin Gamble, Stacy Rock, Tiffany Rock, and Aiden Rock; his step-grandchildren, Victoria McCoy (Aiden Outlaw) and Mae McCoy; his great-grandchildren, Akira Outlaw and Hailey Rock; his siblings, Raymond H. Rock, Jeter Rock, Juani...

Edward Carlton Hemp went home to be with his Lord and Savior peacefully during his sleep on the early morning of October 5, 2025. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and friend to many.

He was an active 72-year-old who is survived by the love of his life, Lynn Arritt Hemp, whom he was married for 52 years. They began dating in high school and got married on June16, 1973.

He was the son of the late William Houston Hemp, Jr. and the late JoEtta Fortney Hemp who preceded him in death. He was also proceeded in death by a brother-in-law Steven Arritt. He was the brother to Houston (Charlene) Hemp of Midlothian, Virginia and Sheryl (John) Stone of Covington, Virginia. He was the brother-in-law to Frank Arritt of Clifton Forge, Virginia and Mary (Mike) Guth of Covington, Virginia.

Left to...

Sandra Jean Wolfe Black, age 60, of Clifton Forge, died Sunday, October 5, 2025, at Carillion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

Sandra was born April 12, 1965, in Alleghany County, and was preceded in death by her parents, the late Eddie H. Wolfe and Margie Humphries Wolfe; her husband, Kenneth Black; a son, Jay R. Black; a sister, Wandra Craft; two brothers, Bobby and Edward Wolfe.

For many years she was a seamstress at the former Halmode, Inc., in Covington. She enjoyed watching television, playing cards, listening to music and especially spending time with family and friends.

To mourn Sandra’s loss she leaves, two daughters, April (Geyber) Perez of Alabama, Kasey Black of Covington; four grandchildren, Damien Tingler, Katherin Perez, Daniel Perez, Logen Perez; a sister, Tammy (George) Bryant of Ridgely, Maryland; a brother, Sa...

Anne Marie Moore Martin, 65, of Henrico and formerly of Covington, died Monday, September 29, 2025 at Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital in Richmond.

She was born June 16, 1960 in Richmond, a daughter of the late Theodore R. Moore, Jr. and Della Bell Moore.

Anne cherished her time browsing and creating with arts and crafts, finding joy in skillful handiwork of all kinds.

Surviving are her sons, Michael Martin and his wife, Suzy, of Henrico, and Brandon Martin and his wife, Brandi, of Powatan; four grandchildren, Michael Martin, Jr., Milla Martin, Jami Martin, Samara Martin; one brother, Clyde Moore of Chesterfield; one sister, Susan (Terry) Shifflett of Elkton; and several nieces and nephews, including Jessica Shifflett.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 4, 20...

Tony Edward Tucker, 36, of Covington, passed away September 27, 2025.

He was born September 20, 1989, in Alleghany County, a son of Burwin “Dooney” Tucker, Jr. and Gail Goode Tucker of Covington. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Louise S. and Herbert Goode, Sr.; and his paternal grandfather, Burwin Tucker, Sr.; and several aunts and uncles including Bobbie Sellers, Gary Goode, Kenny Good, Fritz Goode, Charlotte (Tim) Hilton, and George Lee.

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Tony was a gentle and compassionate soul who held dear his belief in seeing individuals for who they were, often sharing his wisdom with the reminder, “You look at the person, not the group.” He delighted in exploring nature, immersing himself in books and videos about plants and animals, and possessed a deep knowledge of the natural world. His particular fondness for creatures such as frogs, turtles, lizards, and b...