Obituaries

Helen Sovereen Grimes, of Covington, age 77, died Sunday, March 23, 2025, at her residence.

She was born September 22, 1947, in Blue Rock, WV, and was preceded in death by her parents, the late Lorenzo Sovereen and Leona May Cutwright Sovereen; her husband, Donald Gene Grimes, Sr.; and three siblings, Sadie Landis, Harold Sovereen, and Phyllis Pulley.

Surviving to mourn her loss are her daughter, Chanda Cook and husband, Todd, and son Donald “Donnie” Grimes, Jr. both of Covington; three grandchildren, Chandler Cook, Ashton Cook and Trey Cook; a brother, Monzel Sovereen of Hot Springs; several nieces and nephews, including Clyde Landis, Jr.

Helen co-owned H&M Electric, Inc. for many years. In her free time, she loved watching game shows and professional wrestling. As an avid animal lover, she devoted time to caring for her cats, dogs, ducks, and geese. Above all, she cheri...

Richard Lee “Dickie” Bell, age 86, of Covington, died Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at the Lewis-Gale Medical Center in Salem.

Dickie was born January 2, 1939, in Alleghany County, and was preceded in death by his parents, Roy Bell and Ocie Alice Bell of Waiteville, WV; and a younger brother, Donald Bell.

Richard is survived by his wife of 34 years, Cassandra (Vinson) Bell of Covington; two sons, Rodney Bell and wife Brenda of Covington and Brian Bell of Nags Head, NC; three grandchildren, Jon Bell and wife Megan of Knoxville, TN, Chris Bell and wife Beth of Covington, Katelyn Bell Nicely and husband Adam of Covington; ten great-grandchildren and other family members.

He attended Faith Baptist Church in Covington and worked for forty-one years at Westvaco until his retirement. Richard had a love for all sports, especially gol...

Kenzo Lee Walker, age 2, of Clifton Forge, passed away, Friday, March 14, 2025, at UVA Medical Center, in Charlottesville.

Kenzo was born, April 30, 2022, and is survived by his mother, Elektra Walker, a brother Axton, both of Clifton Forge; his maternal grandmother, Michelle Wade of Clifton Forge; his maternal grandfather, Quintin (Melissa) Walker, Jr. of Clifton Forge; numerous family members including aunts, uncles and cousins.

His body has been cremated.

A family organized memorial service will be held on April 5th at 2:00 PM at the Clifton Forge Baptist Church.

Arritt Funeral Home has been entrusted with Kenzo’s arrangements.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at arrittfuneralhome.com.

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Leonard Lee Meadows, age 85, of Caldwell, WV, died Monday, March 10, 2025, at the CAMC Greenbrier Valley Medical Center.

He was born, February 1, 1940, in Red Star, WV, and was preceded in death by his parents, the late Admiral Dewey Meadows and Georgia Meadows; and a grandson, Michael Meadows, II.

Leonard leaves to mourn his loss his wife of 65 years, Mildred Bogges Meadows; two sons, Ricky (Becky) Meadows of Powhatan and Michael (Robin) Meadows of Moorseburg, TN; five grandchildren, Gabrielle Ransbottom of Chesapeake, Ohio; Mark Meadows of Goochland, Holly Chilton of Prince George County, Rachel Meadows of Mooresburg, TN, and Patrick Carville of Mooresburg, TN; six great-grandchildren; one brother, William Meadows of Prince George County.

He was a self-employed contractor and worked at the former Hercules, Inc. in Coving...

Audrey Reigh Lear, age 86, of Covington, died Sunday, March 9, 2025, at the Brian Center Rehabilitation and Nursing Care in Low Moor.

She was born January 2, 1939, in Altoona, PA., and was preceded in death by her mother, the late Blanche L. Reigh and her husband, Charles W. Lear.

Surviving her loss are her sons, Jefferey Lear of Covington and Thomas (Lynn) Lear of Norfolk; a special friend, Tootie Bowen of Covington; cousins and other family members.

Audrey was a hostess for many years at the Virginia Welcome Center; a former teacher’s aide for the city of Covington school system and was a former Board of Director’s member for the Jackson River Enterprise. She was a member of Granbery Memorial United Methodist Church.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, March 17, 2025...

James William “Jamie” Church 53, of Iron Gate died Friday, March 7, 2025 at the Lewis Gale Medical Center, in Salem Va.

He was born August 17, 1971 in Marlington, WV to James Church and Betty Woody Harrison of Marlington, WV.

Jamie was a former employee of the Alleghany County Public Works and was the owner of the Daewoo Lanos Car and he enjoyed going to car shows.

Surviving are his parents, his wife Angle Wright Church of Iron Gate; two daughters, Brittany Phillips of WV, and Cheyanne Andrews of Hot Springs; one brother Allen Dale Franklin of Hot Springs; special nieces Ashley Crance of Roanoke, Sierra Wilkerson and Megan Barron of Covington; and one nephew Zander Harris of Covington and Uncle Allen Woody.

In keeping with his wishes his body has been cremated.

Linda Austin Brown, age 79, of Covington, died on Monday, March 3, 2025, peacefully at her residence surrounded by her family.

She was born in Covington, on July 6, 1945, and was preceded in death by her mother, the late Mable N. Austin and a sister, Sherry Stanley.

Linda was the accounting supervisor for the City of Covington until retirement. She was a member of Grandbery United Methodist Church. Linda enjoyed watching television and her favorite shows were, QVC, Murder She Wrote and Perry Mason, but most of all she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and family that she adored.

She leaves to mourn her loss, her husband, Buford Brown; two daughters, Shannon (William) Rock and Devon (Keith) Morris; four grandchildren, Ethan (Sarah), Lucas, Addison and Kay Kay; great-great grandchildren, Kenzie, Hunter and one on ...

Thomas Gilbert Perkins, 87, of Falling Spring, passed away on March 2, 2025, after a brief hospital stay.

Born on February 3, 1938, in Bath County, a son of the late John Darrell and Icyphene Shifflett Perkins. Best known as Tommy, he was a devoted husband and a hardworking man. He enjoyed going to flea markets, hunting, fishing, took great pride in his garden, and enjoyed living off the land. Above all else, Tommy was a great storyteller, never losing his sense of humor. He was loved by all.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by six brothers: Edgar Perkins, Gene Perkins, Odell Perkins, Gordon Perkins, Oliver Perkins, and Joe Perkins; three sisters: Ernestine Phillips, Liz Crowder, and Emma Palmer; and one son, Thomas Edward Perkins Sr.

He is survived by his loving wife of more than 60 years, Shirley Broughfman Perkins; one brother, Robert Perkins; one sister, Blanche Perkins; one grandson, Thomas Edward ...

Rita Ann Carper Dodd, age 64, of Covington, died Saturday, March 1, 2025 at her residence.

Mrs. Dodd was born on March 15, 1960 in Riverdale Md., she was the daughter of the late Billy J. Evans and Norma Goodwin Evans of Clifton Forge other than her father she was preceded in death by a sister Deborah Mantz.

Other than her mother, she is survived by one daughter, Nina Hale of Covington; two sons, John McCormick of Sterling, Va. and Richard Carper of Covington; four grandchildren, Matthew Melendez, Vanessa Brown, Maddalyn Greene and Noah Combs; two brothers, Fred Evans of Clifton Forge and William Evans of Covington, numerous nieces and nephews and other family members and a special friend Michael Drewry of Covington.

In keeping with her wishes her body has been cremated.

The...

Billy Gene Booker, Sr., 84, of Covington, went to rest peacefully on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Lewis-Gale Medical Center in Salem, surrounded by his loving family, including his grandchildren, Deja, Deziraye and Devon.

Mr. Booker was born February 16, 1941, in Beckley, WV, a son of the late Jesse and Ada Henderson Booker. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Imogene Poindexter; three brothers, Clarence Booker, Jesse Booker, and Charles Booker.

Billy was a very special man, always whistling or singing a tune. His love for people was outstanding and he was always ready to help others. From building to car repair, he was always there with a smile on his face and would say “I don’t know if I can help but I’m here and will do what I can”. Billy enriched others in his life with his kind and comforting words. He loved to talk about his creator wh...

Ashton Liam Rambo, infant son of Catrina Deniece Hill and Christopher Louis Rambo, died February 28, 2025 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his twin sister, Addalyn Rambo and other sibblings, Kiersten (Justin) Stogner, Dylan Atkinson, Shaun Rambo, Abigail Rambo, Landon Hill and Giovanni Amato; Paternal grandfather, Ben (Linda) Rambo; Paternal grandmother, Mary (Scott) Synder; great-grandmother, Marie (Robert) DeGuzman; a nephew, Lennon Stogner; and number of aunts, uncles, cousins, and a full NICU team at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. 

We come together with hearts heavier than words can express. We are here to honor Ashton Liam Rambo, our sweet Ashy Boy, who was with us for only a short time but left an imprint that will last forever. Though his time on this earth was brief, his love, his spirit, and his pre...

Benjamin Hubbard Jr., age 64, of Covington died on February 25, 2025.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Pastor Nancy and Benny Hubbard Sr.; his wife, Deniece Hubbard; and a granddaughter, Taylor Atkinson.

Benjamin was survived by three daughters, Catrina Hill (Christopher), Britany Cox (Keven), and Merissa Hubbard (Derek); a son, Benjamin Lanier Hubbard III (Megan); a brother, Timothy Hubbard; a stand in sister, cousin and friend, Kimberly Hepler (Gary); and his grandchildren, Kiersten (Justin), Dylan, Cameron, Kendall, Landon, Giovanni, Christopher, Jaxson, Donovon, Ashton and Addalyn; a great-grandson, Lennon Stogner; and a number of nieces and nephews.

We say goodbye to a man who meant so much to so many—Benjamin Lanier Hubbard Jr. Losing him so soon after Deniece is a heartbreak none of us could have prepared f...