Obituaries

Marvin Carrol Fridley, age 94, of Covington, died Friday, August 29, 2025, at the Springs Nursing and Rehab Center in Hot Springs.

Mr. Fridley was born, December 31, 1930 in Alleghany County and was preceded in death by his parents, the late Elma and James Fridley; his wife, Dessie Campbell Fridley; two brothers, Sebert and Olanto Fridley; two sisters, Frances Bowers and Lorean Tucker.

He leaves to mourn his loss a daughter, Brenda Thompson of Winchester; a step-son, Willie Mosely of Ohio; a sister, Loralee Wood of Covington; three grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; nieces Wanda Martin and Sheila Hobbs; nephews and other family members.

Mr. Fridley retired as a machinist from Ford Motor Company in 1992 after being employed for thirty-three years. He enjoyed motorcycles, loved riding bicycles and always watched Jimmy...

Jean Marie Miller King, age 66, of Covington, passed away Saturday, August 23, 2025, at her residence, following a ten-year battle with cancer.

She was born September 22, 1958, in New Jersey and was preceded by her parents, the late Irvin and Nellie Ely Miller; her husband, Joseph King; a son, Kenneth Swain; two brothers, John and Charles Foster; two sisters, Vicky Beamer and Peggy Miller.

Jean leaves to mourn her loss a son, Brian Swain and wife Donna; a daughter, Jodi King; four grandchildren, Kent and Brian Swain, Jr., Davien Moore and Braylon Godfrey; two great-grandchildren, Wyatt and Dawson Swain; a sister and sidekick, Ruth Leonard, all of Covington; several nieces, nephews, great- nieces and great- nephews; a special friend, Alvin Wright and many other family members.

She was an employee of Bacova Guild for many ye...

Helen “Chub” Vass Carter, age 94, of Alleghany County, died Thursday, August 21. 2025, at the Lewis-Gale Medical Center in Salem.

Helen was born, April 4, 1931, in Botetourt County, and was preceded in death by her parents, Jack W. Vass and Eva Blanche Loan Vass; her husband, Bill Mack Carter; a daughter, Lynn Smith; a son, David Carter; two grandsons, Brian and Michael Smith.

For many years “Chub” as she was affectionally called worked at the Rayon, Inc. in Covington and served faithfully as a member of Faith Baptist Church.

She leaves behind to mourn her loss a grandson, Ryan (Gabrielle) Carter of Midlothian; two-great grandsons, Rhett Carter of Midlothian and Nicholas Smith of Covington; two great-granddaughters, Grayce and Michayla Smith of Old Bridge, NJ; a sister, Darlene (Gene) Smith of Richmond; a daughter in law, ...

Wilfred “Willie” Ramos, 70, of Covington, Virginia, passed away on August 18 2025. Leaving behind a legacy of joy, warmth, and laughter. Born on January 1955 in Bronx, New York, Willie brought the vibrant spirit and infectious energy of his birthplace wherever he went. Willie, as he was affectionately known, was a shining light in the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing him. His journey on this earth was one marked by love, compassion, and unwavering faith in God. His passing has left a void in the hearts of his family, friends, and many more whose lives were touched by him. We ask that you remember him not for the way his life ended, but for the way it was lived, and for the profound impact it had on the lives of those who had the pleasure of knowing him.

A beloved husband, father, Popo, Willie is survived by his cherished wife Martha; his sons Joshua, Leeshane, and his daughter Harmony, his sister Nancy Ram...

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...

Fred W . Helton, formerly of Covington, Virginia was summoned home on August 16, 2025. He was 78 years old, headstrong, determined, mysterious, mischievous but also very funny. He was a rolling stone who wore many hats & had a profound love for life as well as family. Not a person to be idle; he knew what he wanted and was driven to make it so.

Fred "Ghost" Helton was born in Covington, Va on March 12, 1947 to the late Mr. Robert L. and Mary Pollard Helton. He was the youngest of seven children. After finishing high school, he was drafted into the Army, where he became a skilled & accomplished cook. After receiving an honorable discharge, he went on to become a draftsman.

He loved to draw, he enjoyed football and bowling, but fishing was always his true passion.

Fred W. Helton was preceded in death by his parents the late Robe...

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...