Obituaries

Regenia Susan Mann Ervine, 99, of 4523 Midland Trail, died Saturday September 24, 2016 at the Woodlands Nursing Home in Clifton Forge. She was born February 12, 1917, at Callaghan, the sixth child of the late John Preston Mann and Inez Byer Mann. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Ervine was preceded by her husband, Randolph Ervine on May 1, 1992, her son, Randolph D. "Peaches" Ervine on October 12, 1992, and also by four brothers, William Mann, John Mann, Nixon Mann and Paul Mann, Sr., and her sister, Ruby Plymale. She was a longtime member of the Hoke Chapel United Methodist Church where she had taught Sunday School classes for children, youth or adults for over seventy-five years. She had served as President of the Staunton District Woman's Society of Christian Service of the Methodist Church; Treasurer of the Staunton District Woman's Society and Secretary of Children's Work of the Virginia Conference Woman's Society. She was an employee of the former Industrial Rayon Corp; the Engi...

Athena Pendleton Wooding, age 91 of Roanoke, formerly of Covington, died Tuesday, September 20, 2016 at Lewis-Gale Hospital Salem. She was born January 8, 1925 in Clifton Forge, the daughter of the late Charles H. and Maude Ella Goodwin Pendleton. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest "Pic" Wooding in 1997 and aslo one brother and four sisters Mrs. Wooding was a member of the Pine Street Baptist Church and avid bowler. Surviving are one daughter Janis Wooding of Roanoke, two son Ernest "Doc" Wooding and wife Vicki, and William "Cuz" Wooding and wife Peggy both of Roanoke. Three grandchildren; seven great grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held Sunday September 25, 2016 at 2:00 PM in the Arritt Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Stephanie Clark officiating. Interment will be made in Cedar Hill Cemetery. The family will receive their friends one hour prior to the service. Cemetery Information Cedar Hil...

LORENZA COSBY MARCH 29, 1923-SEPTEMBER 18, 2016 Lorenza Cosby was born in Covington, VA March 29, 1923 to the late Andrew and Sadie Brown Cosby. He was the youngest of 16 children. At 93 years young he departed this life September 18, 2016. Lorenza was a Veteran of the World War II. He served his country from 1942 to 1945, where he received the Bronze Star and numerous other awards. In May 2015 he was recognized by the Vision of Faith bible College for being on the the oldest black Veterans living in Virginia. Lorenza loved life. In his younger days he had a passion for hunting and fishing. He was "The Ultimate" Dallas Cowboys fan. He was always friendly to people, even ones he didn't know. He was always willing to help anyone in need. He also enjoyed home improvement projects. you could always find him "piddlin" around the house finding something to fix or out and about town on his tractor. He was the oldest living member of Pine Street Baptist Church. He was active in the church ser...

Richard Parker Shanks, 79, of 305 White Rock Gap Rd., died Tuesday, September 13, 2016 at Lewis Gale Salem Hospital. He was born August 25, 1937, in Alleghany County a son of the late Lewis L. and Olga Leota Persinger Shanks. In adition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a Brother, Donald Persinger. He was a member of Cliffdale Christian Church and enjoyed reading the Bible and newspapers. He enjoyed drinking coffee. Surviving three Sisters, Virginia Wright and Polly Thompson, both of Virginia Beach and Ethel Dudley and her husband, James, of Eagle Rock; his niece and caregiver, Debbie Dudley and her husband, Melton, of Eagle Rock; his nephew and caregiver, Kenny Humphries, of Covington; his great nephew and caregiver, Lewis Humphries and his wife, Stephanie, of Covington and his friend, Virgil Reid, of Clifton Forge. The funeral service will be held Friday, September 16, 2016, at 1:00 PM in the Chapel of Arritt Funeral Home with the Rev. Raymond Christian officiating. Interm...

George Kenneth Cottrell, 80, of 217 E. Spruce Street died Saturday September 10, 2016 at his residence. He was born July 10, 1936 in Chase City, Virginia, a son of the late Thomas R. and Carrie Lipscomb Cottrell. In addition to his parents, Mr. Cottrell was preceded by a son John Kenneth Cottrell, one brother Thomas E. Cottrell and two sisters, Hazel Pugh and Ruth Ellis. George retired from the United States Postal Service in 2003 with 13 years of service and as service manager for the former Snead Buck Company in Covington. He began his Military career in the United States Air Force in 1953. After his training in STRAC(Teletype /Cryto) Specialist he handled all military codes. After four years in the Air Force he was a civilian for one and half years until he joined the United States Army. After basic training he volunteered to join the Special Forces and went in the 82nd Airborne Division. He retired as Master SGT in 1977 after serving in France, Vietnam, and South Korea. He was a m...

Margarita Jesus Williamson, 80, of 5709 Johnson Creek Rd., died, Thursday September 7, 2016 at her residence. Mrs. Williamson was born October 18, 1935 in La Cruz, Costa Rico the daughter of the late Juan Luis Soto-Calderon and Paula Avils Dominguez. She was also preceded in death by her husband Billie H. Williamson in 1994. She worked in the housekeeping department of the Greenbrier Hotel for a number of years, and is a member of the Church of God of Prophecy on Johnson Creek. Surviving are three daughters Annette Williamson and Wanda Elmore and Judy Williamson, two sons Ronnie Williamson and his wife Pam and Bille H. Williamson,Jr all of Covington, nine grandchildren; Bryan Knick, Samantha Elmore, Kelli Elmore, Hollie Legg and her husband Carl, Kourtney Woodson, Shyann Elmore, Timber Norris, Bayleigh Williamson, and Preston Williamson, seven great grandchildren, a son in law Tom Norris of Eagle Rock, and a number of brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. The family will receive thei...

Michael John Ambrose, 68, of 118 N. Wills Avenue died Saturday, August 27, 2016, at his residence. Mr. Ambrose was born July 21, 1948, in Port Jefferson, NY, the son of the late John and Margaret Verus Ambrose. He was also preceded in death by a brother Bob Ambrose. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War with the U. S. Army. He was a retired CDL truck driver for Apac Atlantic, Inc. in Winchester. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and a Life Member of Curtis A. Smith Post #1033, Veterans of Foreign Wars. Surviving are his Wife, Angela Holestin Ambrose, of Covington; two Daughters, Dana Holestin and April Craighead and her husband, Lorenzo, all of Covington; one Son, Josh Ambrose, of Covington; and five grandchildren, Audrey Holestin, Seth Krupnik, Alivia Krupnik, Zykera Edwards and Danti Edwards, Jr. The funeral service will be held Thursday evening at 6:00 PM in the Chapel of Arritt Funeral Home with the Rev. Dean Bowser officiating. Military rites will be conducted by Curtis A. ...

Samuel Nowlin Tate, 27, of Radford, died, Thursday, August 25, 2016 . Samuel was born June 21, 1989 in Norfolk a son of Jeanette Catherine Nowlin Tate of Covington and Samuel Bernard Tate, Sr. of Newport News. He was a waiter at Kabuki's in Roanoke. He was preceded in death by two uncles, Warrent Craven and Wesley Craven. In addition to his parents, Samuel is survived by his sister, Staci Tate, of Covington; his twin brother, Sammy Tate, Jr. of Covington; his niece, Journee Tate of Covington; four aunts, Joyce Nowlin of Houston, TX, Oretha Rogers of Blacklick, OH, Olivia Pollard of Covington and Octavia Hickman of Lewisburg, WV; four uncles, Warren Craven of Hot Springs; Rayvon Tate of Mt. Vernon, NY; Costin Cravin and Nolan Craven all of Houston, TX; numerous cousins, including Tay Hughes and Timmy Pollard, both of Covington; special friends Joey Agbo, Jamie Graham, and Ryan Gillespie; and his beloved dog, Apollo. A gathering of his family and friends will be held 6:00 PM Thursday at...

Virginia Estelle Carter Looney, 82, died Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at Mountain View Regional Medical Center in Norton. One of twelve children born to Forrest Carter and Lucy Jane Warlitner Carter, she was the widow of William Leon Looney. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Cindy Rose Cash. Formerly of Covington, VA, Virginia moved to Norton, VA two years ago to be closer to her family. She was a member of Grace Brethren Church in Selma, VA. Surviving are her children: Mary Cash and her husband, Buddy, Norton, VA, Billy Rose and Martha Downey, Covington, VA, Brandy McCarroll and her husband, John, Norton; her grandchildren: Alisha Roberts, "Bo" Cash, Nicole Via, Elizabeth Cress, Natalie Cash, Jeremy Cash, Abagail Cash, Ian McCarroll, and Addison McCarroll; her great grandchildren: Avery Payne, Zachary Payne, Alex Cress, Maya Roberts, Kyra Roberts, Aaron Via, Adriene Via, Elijah Peters, and Joshua Peters. A graveside services will be held Saturday at 1:00 PM in Johnson Creek P...

Virgil Clayton Dawson, 70, of 6007 Bens Run Road died Saturday, August 13, 2016 at his residence. He was born May 3, 1946, in Alleghany County a son of the late Dessie Gaines Dawson and Howard Dawson, Sr. Surviving are his wife, Dorothy Kitt Dawson, of Covington; two daughters, Toni Dawson Jeffries and Lisa Dawson Jeffries, both of Covington; four grandchildren, Ethan Edward Jeffries, Brandon Lipes and his wife Miranda, Jody Jefferies, and Kameron Jeffries all of Covington; a number of nieces and nephews; and two special family friends, Lindsey Owens and Buddy Nicely. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers and one sister. The funeral service will be held Wednesday afternoon at 3:30 PM at Lone Star Cemetery with Rev. Bill Gilliland officiating, assisted by the Rev. Barry Daniel. Active pallbearers will be Brandon Lipes, Jody Jeffries, Jr., Kameron Jeffries, Buddy Nicely, Roy Craft, and Justin Haynes. Honorary pallbearers will be Thomas Riley, Jake Thomps...

Pastor Jason Morgan Cochran, 42, of 306 N. Fork Road at Neola, WV, died Thursday, August 11, 2016, at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke. Jason was born Feb. 17, 1974, at Ronceverte, WV, a son of Carl and Jackie Morgan Cochran of Neola, WV. He was a 1992 graduate of Greenbrier East High School and a graduate of Dabney S. Lancaster Community College. He was a partner in Rock Drillers, LLC mining supply company at Neola, WV. Jason was the Beloved Pastor of the United Baptist Church on Ogles Creek Road. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his Wife, Melanie McKinney Cochran,; two Sons, Benjamin Cochran and Nathanael Cochran, two Daughters, Jayleine Cochran and Lydia Cochran, three Brothers and Sisters-in-law, Dwain and Starr Cochran of Stuarts Draft, VA, Corbie and Shannon Cochran and Dusty and Shawna Cochran, all of Neola; one Sister and Brother-in-law, Carla and Chip Cochran, of Rock Hill, SC, and several nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life service will be hel...

Matthew Leonard "Matt" Paxton, 31, of 1534 S. Howard Ave. died Tuesday, August 9, 2016, at Carilioin Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke. Matt was born January 25, 1985, in Alleghany County a Son of Gary and Tanya Mays Brackenbridge of Covington. He had been employed for the past two years with Hammond-Mitchell, Inc. in Covington. Surviving in addition to his parents are his Wife, Sara Haynes Paxton, of Covington; two Brothers and Sisters-in-law, Stephen and Charlee Bland and Jason and Laura Brackenridge, al of Covington; his Sister, Christy Paxton of Staunton; four nieces and nephews, Cadence Bland, Sawyer Bland, Casey Mountcastle and Matt Sink; his Maternal Grandparents, Berkley and Mary Mays of Covington; his Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, Jimmy and Jenny Haynes, of Covington; his Sister-in-law and Brother-in-law, Kelly and Nolan Southall, of Covington; aunts, uncles and cousins Britt and Karen Mays, Krystal Mays, Rebecca Mays, Gail Mays, Krist Walker, Tiffany Thomas, Devon and ...