Obituaries

Brenda Fury Phillips age 61 of 408 N. Lexington Ave, died Sunday September 24, 2017 at her residence. Mrs. Phillips was born September 11, 1956, in Greenbrier WV. She was the daughter of late Johnnie and Donna Lee Williams Fury. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Cecil Phillips in 2005; a brother Johnnie Fury, Jr and a friend Gloria Smith. Brenda enjoyed fishing, gardening and walking. She was member of the Covington Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witness. She is survived six sisters Norma Lomasney of Hot Springs, Dianne Fury of White Sulphur Springs WV, Shelby Powell of Renick WV, Darliss Carver of Lewisburg WV, Evelyn Rucker of Covington and Bertha Pritt of Covington also number of nieces and nephews. In keeping with her wishes, her body was cremated. The memorial service will be held Wednesday evening at 6:00 PM in the Chapel of Arritt Funeral Home, with Elder Sid Frye officiating . Following the service the family will receive their friends. O...

Michael Scott Schell, 42, of Concord, died Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at his residence. He was born June 24, 1975 a son of Angela Caldwell Stover of Covington and the late Michael Paul Schell. In addition to his father Scott was preceded by a son Jonathan Schell and his maternal grandfather, Doran Caldwell. Scott was employed as an Electrician with Lynchburg Services. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Bobbi Lee Goff Schell of Concord; three sons, Michael "Mikey" Hinkle of Covington; Brandon Schell and Raven Taylor of Evington; and Josh Schell of Concord; two step sons Breon Easley and Dominic Easley both of Concord ; one grandchild, Payton Schell of Evington; his sister, Amanda Griffith and her husband Kevin of Covington; his brother, Barry Schell and his wife Melanie of Covington; his step father Roger Stover of Covington; Maternal Grandmother, Mildred Caldwell of Covington and Paternal Grandparents, Pete and Lil McCoy of Eagle Rock and several nieces, nephews ,...

On a sunlit morning nestled on a knoll facing the Blue Ridge humpbacked mountains and cattle farms located in the scenic Shenandoah Valley, a devout Christian has died. Mr. Codie Rudolph Taylor, of 323 East Fairlawn Drive in Covington, died Tuesday, September 19, 2017, at the Blue Ridge Christian Home in Raphine, Virginia. Mr. Taylor was born on Friday, November 12, 1920, in Paint Bank, Virginia, the second of four sons born to the late Albert Clyde Taylor and Ella Ruble Taylor. In addition to his parents, Codie was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 59 years, Ethelda Cook Taylor; three brothers, Corbett Taylor, C. D. Taylor, and Freddie Taylor. Codie was a graduate of New Castle High School and later earned a chemical engineering degree. A native of Paint Bank, he moved to Covington and first joined the Covington plant of West Virginia Pulp and Paper in 1939 as a sampler in the K. M. Laboratory. Two years later he moved up to the pulp control lab. He joined the U. S. Navy Air C...

William Herbert "Bill" Gurd, 83, of 1005 Beverly Street, died Monday, September 11, 2017. He was born June 30, 1934, in Alleghany County, a son of the late Herbert and Lona Kesner Gurd. In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded by his wife, Janet Sharp Gurd, in 2004; a brother Stephen D. Gurd; two sisters, Marna G. Ross and Wanda M. Binion and a grandson, Matthew William Rodgers. Mr. Gurd served his country in the United States Navy in the Korean War. He retired in 1997 from the Recovery Dept. at West Rock after 37 years of service. He was a member of McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church. Mr. Gurd enjoyed working at the Cope Food Pantry that is located at McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church. He was a member of Curtis A. Smith Post 1033, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion Post 4. Surviving are his three daughters, Deborah Rodgers and her husband, Danny, of Covington; Diana Hinton of Yorktown and Linda Bogar and her husband, Clifford, of Covington; five grandson...

Michael Brendan McNamara died in his home September 8, 2017 in Covington, VA. He was 24. Michael was born November 18, 1992 in Allentown, PA to his parents Jon M. and Patricia A McNamara of Allentown, PA. Michael was a Graduate of William Allen High School, Allentown, PA and Penn State University, where he attained a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. Michael had been employed at the WestRock Covington Mill since January 2016. A loving and devoted son, Michael's radiant smile and overt friendliness were undeniable and his love for his younger brothers and his family was immeasurable. Michael loved running, cycling and spending time outdoors walking and hiking with his family. Michael is survived immediately by his parents, and his brothers Jack (16) and Patrick (13) all of Allentown, PA. as well as a large extended family of Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. A Remembrance and Celebration of Michael's life is being arranged by his family with time and de...

Susan Elizabeth Merchant Cardwell of 221 Pinehurst Heights Road in Hot Springs died Monday, September 4, 2017, at her home. Mrs. Cardwell was born in Bath County a daughter of the late Samuel Merchant and Elsie Williams Merchant. She was also preceded in death by a sister Janet, a brother Sam Jr., a sister in law Alberta, and brother in law Buddy. Susan grew up in Hot Springs where she graduated from Bath County High School. After completing high school she worked at the Homestead Hotel and was later employed at Kay Cottage. She also loved working alongside her husband Donald until she was no longer able to do so. She was married to her husband Donald on September 21, 1988 whom she loved to no end. They became inseparable. Susan was baptized as a Jehovah's Witness and became an active member of the Covington Congregation where she and her husband set a true example of Christian dedication, love, and devotion to everyone that knew them. Susan enjoyed attending and participating i...

Susan Elizabeth Merchant Cardwell of 221 Pinehurst Heights Road in Hot Springs died Monday, September 4, 2017, at her home. Mrs. Cardwell was born in Bath County a daughter of the late Samuel Merchant and Elsie Williams Merchant. She was also preceded in death by a sister Janet, a brother Sam Jr., a sister in law Alberta, and brother in law Buddy. Susan grew up in Hot Springs where she graduated from Bath County High School. After completing high school she worked at the Homestead Hotel and was later employed at Kay Cottage. She also loved working alongside her husband Donald until she was no longer able to do so. She was married to her husband Donald on September 21, 1988 whom she loved to no end. They became inseparable. Susan was baptized as a Jehovah's Witness and became an active member of the Covington Congregation where she and her husband set a true example of Christian dedication, love, and devotion to everyone that knew them. Susan enjoyed attending and participating in the ...

Michael Raymond Pettitt, 64, of 405 West Parrish Street died Monday, August 28, 2017, at the UVA Piedmont Hospice in Charlottesville. Mr. Pettitt was born September 21, 1952, in Arlington, a son of the late Leonard Pettitt, Sr. and Erma German Pettitt. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother Darrell Pettitt. Mike had retired in 2016 as a mechanic for the City of Covington after 30 years of service. He was a member of Covington Lodge #610, Loyal Order of Moose. Surviving are two Sons, Michael Pettitt, and his Wife, Stacey, of Roanoke and Kevin Pettitt of Covington; one Daughter, Rhonda Bowles and Todd Sheppard of Covington; close friend of the family, Jeff Bowles of Covington; three step children, Mary and Weldon Branche of PA; Jesse and Laura Byrd of SC and Clifton Byrd of SC; nine grandchildren; two Brothers and Sisters-in-law, Randy and Courtney Jacobs of Fairfax, Leonard Pettitt, Jr. and Marsha of Reston and two Sisters, Dana Jacobs of Fairfax and Debbie He...

Frank David Thompson, 73, of 16120 Indian Draft Road in Millboro died Monday, August 28, 2017, in Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke. Mr. Thompson was born June 10, 1944, in Richmond a son of the late Olen M. Thompson, Sr. and Thelma Graham Thompson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Olen Thompson, Jr. and three sisters, Kathern Gillime, Sally Clinbell and Mary Graham. He had retired from Pro Tech as a mechanic. He was an active bluegrass musician since the age of 10. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved camping and spending time with his family and friends. Surviving are his Wife of 41 years, Rachel Robertson Thompson, of Millboro; four Daughters, Dottie Thompson and Arlan Bates, Jr. and Mila and David Huffman, all of Covington, Tammy Tucker and Johnny Angle of Iron Gate and Crystal Thompson and Chad Wheeler of Craigsville; four grandchildren, James Switzer, Milton Switzer, Kristina Via and Lucas Via; three great grandchildren, Bentley Th...

Annabelle Marie "Toots" Drepperd 75, of Merryfield Home,111 Horse Mountain View, died early Monday, August 21, 2017 at her residence. She was born August 2, 1942 in Pocahontas County, WV, a daughter of the late Lake and Olive Gaylor Drepperd. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Robert Drepperd and also a niece, Wendy Persinger. "Toots" was active in the Alleghany Highlands Special Olympics; she was a volunteer from Merryfield at Mountain Regional Hospice and the Senior Citizens Group. She had participated with The Starz Productions. Surviving are her three sisters, Thelma Falls ;Nancy Persinger and her husband, Norman and Betty Munsey and her husband Tony, all of Covington; three nephews, Nelson Falls, Jeff falls and Todd Persinger; two nieces, Erica Puckett and Amanda Taylor and a number of great nieces and nephews. The Memorial service will be held Saturday, August 26, 2017 at 11:00 AM in the Arritt Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Bill Gil...

Annabelle Marie "Toots" Drepperd 75, of Merryfield Home,111 Horse Mountain View, died early Monday, August 21, 2017 at her residence. She was born August 2, 1942 in Pocahontas County, WV, a daughter of the late Lake and Olive Gaylor Drepperd. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Robert Drepperd and also a niece, Wendy Persinger. "Toots" was active in the Alleghany Highlands Special Olympics; she was a volunteer from Merryfield at Mountain Regional Hospice and the Senior Citizens Group. She had participated with The Starz Productions. Surviving are her three sisters, Thelma Falls ;Nancy Persinger and her husband, Norman and Betty Munsey and her husband Tony, all of Covington; three nephews, Nelson Falls, Jeff falls and Todd Persinger; two nieces, Erica Puckett and Amanda Taylor and a number of great nieces and nephews. The Memorial service will be held Saturday, August 26, 2017 at 11:00 AM in the Arritt Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Bill Gilliland o...

Daisy Caldwell Hoke Hicks, 82, of 6211 Uplands Road died Wednesday, August 16, 2017, at the Alleghany Health and Rehab Center in Clifton Forge. Mrs. Hicks was born August 24, 1934, in Craig County a daughter of the late Elbert and Mae Wolfe Caldwell. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first Husband, Leon Hoke, in 1986, her second Husband, Elbert Hicks, in 2002, a Son, Steve "Pete" Hoke, in 2014, an infant son, Jody Hoke and also by three sisters and three brothers. Surviving are three Sons and Daughters-in-law, Billy and Pam Hoke and Mike and Liz Hoke all of Covington and Leon and Rhonda Hoke, Jr. of Clifton Forge; 14 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; one Sister and Brother-in-law, Orbra and James Mose, of Roanoke and a number of nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be held Sunday, August 20, 2017, at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Arritt Funeral Home with the Rev. J. B. Broughman officiating. Interment will be made in Lo...