Obituaries

Wilda Jean Foley Abshire, 78, of 210 E. Spruce St., died Thursday, April 14, 2016, at Winter Haven Hospital in Winter Haven, FL. Mrs. Abshire was born September 16, 1937, in Raleigh County, WV, a daughter of the late Dewey E. and Ina MacMillion Foley. Jean was a member of the First Assembly of God in Clifton Forge. She enjoyed working with children in the church and with the community Bible study and was very active in Operation Christmas Child. In her spare time she was an avid bowler and reader. She is survived by her husband of 59 years Van Abshire; three daughters, Robin Franklin and her husband Rev. Britt Franklin of Auburndale, Florida; Karen Abshire of Castle Rock, Colorado, and Karlena Bolin and her husband, Michael, of Covington; seven grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, two sisters, Piney Stanley of Lancaster, Ohio, and Shirley Hobbs of Satellite Beach, Florida, and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be held Thursday, April 21, 2016 at 2:00 PM in the Chap...

John Delbert "Duck" Via, Sr., 68, of 1249 S. Mound Ave., died, Thursday, April 14, 2016 at Lewis Gale Medical Center in Salem. He was born July 14, 1947 in Alleghany County, a son of the late John E. and Gladys Agnor Via. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother Wayne M. Via in 2015. Delbert served with the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Mr. Via retired from MeadWestVaco in the Store Room. He loved motorcycles, and his 48 Pickup. He had a love for his Country and was a "people" person. Delbert enjoyed having yard sales and going to flea markets. He was a member of the Parrish Court United Methodist Church. Surviving are his wife of 49 years, Elizabeth "Libby" Wheeler Via of Covington; three sons, Jon Delbert "J.D." Via, Jr. and his wife Gloria and Stephen Dale Via, all of Covington and Kenneth William Via and his wife Nicole of San Antonio, TX; four grandchildren, Aaron Taylor Via of Anchorage, Alaska; John Delbert "Trey" Via, III Mechanicsville; A...

June Lyle Higgins, 81, of 211 Cliffview Drive, died Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at his residence. He was born June 21, 1934 in Slaty Fork, WV, a son of the late Alfred Harry and Theresa Galford Higgins. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Catherine Wilfong Higgins in 2007 and a sister Aretta. Mr. Higgins served in the United States Army during the Korean War with the Army Security Agency. He received the Nation Defense Service Medal: Korean Service Ribbon; United Nations Service Medal and the Sharp Shooters Medal. Mr. Higgins retired as an electrician with the former C & O Railroad. He was a member of Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church. June was an outdoorsman that loved gardening, hunting and fishing. Surviving are one son, Christopher A. Higgins and his wife Hope of Covington; two daughters, Natalie J. Moats of Covington and Melissa L. Green of Hot Springs; five grandchildren, Heather Martin; Travis Moats, Jr. and Kayla Moats, all of Hot Springs;...

Mary Jane Walton Phillips, 77, of 7820 Ogles Creek Road, died, Sunday April 10, 2016 at Greenbrier Valley Medical Center in Ronceverte, WV. She was born July 8, 1938 in Ohio, a daughter of the late Charles L. and Jessie Shue Walton. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two infant children, David E. Phillips and Karen J. Phillips ; one grandson, Dalton Phillip; three sisters, Bonnie Tucker; Iva Hoke and Marie Wright and also two brothers, Charles Walton and Robert Walton. Mrs. Phillips was Secretary/Treasurer for Phillips Supply. She was member of Ogles Creek Baptist Church. She loved taking care of her grandchildren. Surviving are her husband of 57 years, Robert E. "Bud" Phillips of Covington; three sons and daughters-in-law, Robert and Angela Phillips; Jimmy and Wendy Phillips; William and Susan Phillips all of Covington; four daughters and two sons-in-law, Linda Sizer; Kathy and Gary Curry; Lorraine May and Allen Smith and Sandy and Greg Fox, all of Covington; 16...

Mary Hoke Meadows, 75, of 6006 Johnson Creek Road died Saturday, April 2, 2016, in Lewis Gale - Alleghany Hospital at Low Moor. Mrs. Meadows was born July 26, 1940, a daughter of Rita Hoke Kassinger of Covington and the late Lonnie Hoke. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her Husband, Dillard Meadows in 2009, and also by three sisters and two brothers. Surviving in addition to her Mother are two Daughters, Debbie Clinebell and her Husband, Kevin, of Covington and Patricia Ward of Ft. Wayne, IN; four grandchildren, Jeremy Ward, Dustin Ward, Heather Williams and Brandon Clinebell; six great grandchildren; one Sister, Tammy Hoke of Covington; one Brother, Dave Hoke of Covington and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 PM at the graveside in Hokes Chapel Cemetery with Frank Sizemore officiating. Active pallbearers will be Kevin Clinebell, Brandon Clinebell, Jeremy Ward, Dustin Ward, Teddy Hoke and Andy Hoke. The fami...

Catherine Lee Ballard Hunt, 101, formerly of Covington, VA, died Tuesday, March 29, 2016 in Richmond. She was born May 18, 1914 in Madisonville, TN, a daughter of the late William B. and Margaret Dyer Ballard. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Donald W. Hunt, Sr. and a son, Donald W. Hunt. Jr. Mrs. Hunt retired in 1979 as a fourth grade teacher at Callaghan Elementary School after 40 years of teaching and she enjoyed tutoring children into her nineties. Mrs. Hunt was a woman of strong faith. Surviving are her son, Charles Hunt and his wife Florence of Midlothian; a grandson, Scott Hunt of San Diego, CA; several nieces and nephews and their families and many friends. A graveside service will be held 2:00 PM Friday, April 1, 2016 in the Cedar Hill Cemetery in Covington with Charles Hunt officiating. Family and friends will gather at 1:00 PM at Arritt Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Boys Home of Virginia, 414 Boys Home Rd, Covington...

Gerald Allen "Rat" Ratcliff, 60, of 111 Waller Avenue, died, Monday March 28, 2016 at his residence. He was born October 14, 1955 in Highland County, a son of the late Gerald H. and Romaine Ratcliff. Mr. Ratcliff was truck driver with VDOT and had been with the company for 28 years. He was active with the Boy Scouts of American in our area. He loved to cook and grill and was an avid outdoorsman. Surviving are his wife Nina Selleck Ratcliff of Covington; one son Daniel Ratcliff and his wife Stacey of Chesapeake; a step son, Bo Dunsmore and his wife Michelle of White Sulphur Springs, WV; two step daughters, Wanda Nicely and Tom Linkenhoker of Clifton Forge and Loretta Dunsmore and Norman Harris, Jr. of Covington; two grandchildren; 8 step grandchildren ; two step great grandchildren and a number of brother and sister - in-laws. The funeral service will be held Thursday March 31, 2016 at 2:00 PM in the Arritt Funeral Home Chapel with Steve Richards officiating. The interment will follow ...

Janet Lee Carter Melvin, 63, of 1511 Dunbrack Road, died, Saturday March 26, 2016 VCU Medical Center in Richmond. She was born June 18, 1952 in Alleghany County, a daughter of the late William "Bill" Carter and Eunice Bailey Carter Quantz of Covington. In addition to her father she was preceded by a son Scotty Lee Melvin and a daughter Amy Dawn Melvin. Mrs. Melvin was a LPN and was a former employee of the Brian Center as well as a nurse for Dr. John Lewis and Dr. Marian Rogan. She was a very nurturing person and loved taking care of her family. In addition to her Mother, she is survived by her husband of 45 years, Scott Lee Melvin of Covington; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Randy L. and Amy Melvin of Eagle Rock and Brian S. Melvin of Covington; two granddaughters, Katie Lee Melvin and Evie Melvin and one grandson, Nate Melvin, all of Eagle Rock; her Step-father Vernon Quantz of Covington; three sisters, Billie Jean Carter; Dolly Lowry and her husband Dale, and Barbara Shifflett and...

Donna Lee Casto,78, of 4410 Midland Trail, passed away Wednesday March 23, 2016 at her residence. She was formerly of South Charleston, WV. She was born December 29, 1937 in Kanawha County, WV, a daughter of the late Agnes Smith Akers. In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by her husband William Warren Casto, two infant children, one sister, Rebecca Jane Bailey and one brother Warren Daniel Hunt. Before retiring Donna was employed at Murphy Mart; Ames Dept. Store and K-mart located in Dunbar and St. Albans, WV. Donna is survived by her son, Willian Eugene Casto of Charleston, WC; two daughters, Angela E. Loudermilk of South Charleston and Roberta L. and Kevin Vickers of Liberty, WV; five grandchildren, Amanda Casto, Mark Loudermilk, Jamar Wright ,Mac Vickers and Sissy Vickers; three great grandchildren, twins, Isaiah Loudermilk ; Ariyeon Loudermilk and Arayah Wright; one brother Jesse Akers of South Charleston, WV; three sisters, Barbara Ahlers of Ohio; Patricia Turkett...

Barbara Ellen Robinson Wolfe, 72, of 5671 Meadowcrest St., Roanoke died Saturday, March 19, 2016, in Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Wolfe was born November 12, 1943, in Bath County a daughter of the late Charles Robinson and Reba Johnson Robinson Kelley. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Margaret Sue Moran; two step-brothers, Wayne Kelley and Jim Kelley; a nephew, Timmy Robinson; a niece, Robin Ervin, and two brothers-in-law, Richard Wolfe and Tony Cade. She was a graduate of Covington High School, Class of 1960 and worked for many years as a professional hairdresser. She was a kind, gentle and loving wife, mother and grandmother. Surviving are her Husband of 55 years, Sherman "Hank" Wolfe; two Daughters, Lisa Wolfe and Tammy Wolfe; one Son, Charles Wolfe and Tammy Platt, and one treasured granddaughter, Brandie Wolfe, all of Roanoke; one Brother, Paul Robinson and his wife, Faye, Elkins, WV; one Sister, Nancy Robinson of Orlando, FL; two aun...

Martha Alice Butler Bryan, 84, of Clifton Forge, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday March 15, 2016. She was born July 25, 1931 in Pikeville, KY, a daughter of the late George Elliot Butler and Effie Pearl Pyles Butler. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Edgar Bryan in 1992 and also by three brothers and two sisters. Mrs. Bryan graduated from the C& O Nursing School. She was formerly a School Nurse for Alleghany School System and had worked in nursing field many years. She was a member of the Twilight Garden Club; C & O Nursing School Alumni; the Red Hat Society; a Volunteer for C & O Heritage Center and was a member of the Clifton Forge Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Bryan loved helping people. Surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, Eddie and Melinda Bryan of Covington and Stephen and Julie Bryan of Forest; two daughters and one son-in-law, Lisa and Elwood Diesher of Clifton Forge and Jenny Brennan of Roanoke; 11 grandchildren; 5 great g...