Obituaries

Barbara Toombs Goodwin 86, of 210 N. High St., died, Saturday January 9, 2016 at her residence. Mrs. Goodwin was born March 11, 1929, the daughter of the late Charles K. Toombs and Beatrice Fridley Toombs. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Emmett O. Goodwin Jr. in 1993 and a daughter Barbara Sue Goodwin in 1953; two brothers, George and Kenneth and one sister Margaret. Barbara was a member of Christ United Methodist Church as well as part of the Women's circle. She was employed by Leggett's Department Store where she worked as a clerk. Surviving are four sons, Jeffrey Goodwin; Joel Goodwin and his wife Rita; Charles Goodwin and his wife Ruth all of Covington and David Goodwin and his wife Peggy of Richmond, five grandchildren, a number of great grandchildren; two sisters, Edith and Susan, both of Covington and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be held Friday, January 15, 2016 at 2:00 PM in the Arritt Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev...

David Randolph Reynolds, 88, of 113 Golden Rod Drive died Friday morning, January 1, 2016, at his home. Mr. Reynolds was born July 27, 1927, in Alleghany County a son of the late Willliam McKinley Reynolds and Vida Pearl Arrington Reynolds. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his Wife, Leila Dressler "Bobbie" Reynolds, a Daughter, Kay Ray, and two Brothers, William "Bud" Reynolds and Ray Reynolds. He had retired as a Supervisor from MeadWestvaco in 1989 after 43 years with the company. He was a longtime member of the McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church. Surviving are his Daughter and Son-in-law, Susan and Frank Sponaugle, of Covington; his Son-in-law, Buck Ray of Covington; two grandsons, Matt Sponaugle and his wife, Lisa, of Covington and David Sponaugle and his wife, Angela, of Mechanicsville; his granddaughter, Amy Ray, of Covington; four great-grandchildren, Brandon Sponaugle, Kellen Sponaugle, Olivia Sponaugle and Natalie Sponaugle; his Sister, Helen Riddl...

Ovella F. Worsham, 78, of Pawley's Island, South Carolina, formerly of Covington, died Wednesday, December 30, 2015. She was born September 8, 1937, in Richlands, Virginia, a daughter of the late Henry B. and Florence Hammond Worsham. Ovella was a dedicated music teacher beginning her career with the Russell County School System where she served from 1959 until 1964. She then served in the Galax City schools from 1964 until 1968 and served as the music teacher with the Covington City School System from 1968 until her retirement. She was a longtime member of Temple Baptist Church where she served as Choir Director, Sunday School teacher and on various committees. In accordance with her wishes, her body has been cremated. A funeral service will be held at a later date....

Mrs. Roberta Johnson Mack was born September 21, 1915, the oldest daughter of the late Mr. Frank Johnson and Mrs. Georgia Dickson. She had been a resident of Covington all of her life. Mrs. Mack was educated in the public school system and graduated from the former Watson High School, which was located on Marion Avenue at that time. She was baptized at an early age and became a member of the First Baptist Church, Lexington Avenue where she sang with the Reid Choir, was a member of the Usher Board, and a Member of the Missionary Circle. She later became a member of the Concerned Christian Baptist Church where she served with the Nursing Home Ministry and was a member of the Nineties Club until her health declined. Mrs. Mack was Past Worthy Matron of the Mary Wright Chapter #103 Order of the Eastern Star; Past Commandress of Aladdin Court and honorary member of Khufu Court #118, Princeton, NJ; both auxiliaries of the A.E.A.O. N. M .S. and a Past Loyal Lady Ruler of the Golden Circle. Mr...

Matthew Ryan Long, 21 of 700 N. Augusta Ave., died, Monday December 28, 2015. Mr. Long was born on May 16, 1994 in Supply N.C. the son of Christine Howarth Thompson and husband Ricky of Covington and Robert M. Long and wife Melissa of Ash, NC. Ryan was preceded in death by a maternal grandfather Alan Howarth and a maternal grandmother Marilyn Howarth. He was employed as a stocker at Walmart. He was part of the 2012 graduating class of Covington High School. In addition to his parents he is survived by one sister Mackenzie Long of Ash, NC; four brothers Joseph Brinkman of Covington, Andrew Long of Ash, NC ;Timothy Thompson, and Richard Thompson both of Covington, a maternal grandmother Joan Nunziato of North Easton, MA. and paternal grandparents Robert Long and wife Virginia of Ash, NC. The funeral service will be held Thursday at 2:00 PM in the chapel of Arritt Funeral Home with the Rev. David Brown officiating. Interment will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery The family will receive thei...

Wayne McKinley "Pooh Bear" Via, 66, of 306 Dairy Street, died Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at Lewis Gale Medical Center in Salem. He was born January 14, 1949 in Alleghany County, a son of the late John E. Via and Gladys Agnor Via. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his special Grandmother, Mollie Ayers Agnor. Wayne served his county in the United States Marines from 1969 until 1972. He was a former employee of Lear, Corp. for several years. He was a member of Mallow Presbyterian Church. Wayne loved spending time with his grandchildren and family. Surviving are his wife, Brenda Milton Via of Covington; one daughter, Jennifer Hayslett and her husband Brad of Covington; two sons, Chuckie Via and his wife Melisa of Millboro and Chris Via of Covington; five grandchildren, Branden Via, Kelsey Hayslett, Katie Via, Logan Hayslett and Nolan Via; two brothers, Delbert Via and his wife Libby and Darrell Via, all of Covington ; one sister, Dorothy Brunson of Covington; numero...

Wayne McKinley "Pooh Bear" Via, 66, of 306 Dairy Street, died Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at Lewis Gale Medical Center in Salem. He was born January 14, 1949 in Alleghany County, a son of the late John E. Via and Gladys Agnor Via. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his special Grandmother, Mollie Ayers Agnor. Wayne served his county in the United States Marines from 1969 until 1972. He was a former employee of Lear, Corp. for several years. He was a member of Mallow Presbyterian Church. Wayne loved spending time with his grandchildren and family. Surviving are his wife, Brenda Milton Via of Covington; one daughter, Jennifer Hayslett and her husband Brad of Covington; two sons, Chuckie Via and his wife Melisa of Millboro and Chris Via of Covington; five grandchildren, Branden Via, Kelsey Hayslett, Katie Via, Logan Hayslett and Nolan Via; two brothers, Delbert Via and his wife Libby and Darrell Via, all of Covington ; one sister, Dorothy Brunson of Covington; numero...

David Muir Nicol, 73, died quietly at his home on Potts Creek on 30 November with his wife, Mary Ingalls Woodell asleep beside him, his brother and his nephew nearby, his beloved Newfoundlands, Sadie and Sophie, at his side, and his feline project buddy Loki wrapped around his head. 

In addition to his wife and his critters, he is survived by his brother, Charles Nicol, of Greensboro, NC; his aunts, Nancy Pauley and Martha McMullan, of Daleville, VA and Clifton Forge, respectively; his nephews, Bobby Nicol and Steve Nicol, of Mt. Holly, NC and Charlotte, NC, respectively; his niecelette Carol Donovan of Wilmington, NC; his cousins Kate van der Waard and Sharon Milling of Rotterdam, Netherlands and Chattanooga TN, respectively, and Gary Haynes of Tuscon, AZ, and Ann Marie Vanderhout of Newark, DE; his adopted daughter Dawn Miller, soon to be of Alleghany County; his adopted son, Andrew Marcontell, of Dallas, TX; an...

Jesse Lee Brookman, 21, of 5205 Potts Creek Road died Saturday, November 28, 2015, as the result of an auto accident. Mr. Brookman was born March 2, 1994, in Howard County, Maryland, the son of Rex and Linda Osborne Brookman of Covington. He was a maintenance employee of the Alleghany County Public Works Department. He was precede in death by an infant brother, Rodger Brookman, and also by his paternal grandfather, Melvin Brookman, Sr. Surviving in addition to his parents, are his Daughter, Zoey Brookman of Covington; two Brothers, Mitchell Brookman and Rex Brookman, Jr. , both of Covington; one Sister, Lexi Brookman of Covington; his maternal grandparents, Roger and Susan Osborne, of Rustburg; his paternal grandmother, Betty Dowling, of Luray and several aunts, uncles and cousins. The funeral service will be held Friday, December 4, 2015, at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Arritt Funeral Home with the Rev. Garland Humphries officiating. Interment will be made in Lone Star Cemetery. The fami...

Windill Warren Bland, 60, of 104 Walton Church Lane, Clifton Forge, died, Thursday November 26, 2015. He was born June 28, 1955 in Christiansburg, a son of the late Rev. Charles S. Bland and Rev. Wilma Hall Haynes. In addition to his parents Windill was preceded in death by two brothers, Gary Bland and Billy Bland; one sister, Barbara Bland and a sister-in-law, Karen Bland. Mr. Bland was formerly employed by Alleghany County School System in the maintenance department and also of employee of the former Hercules, Inc. Surviving are his wife of 38 years, Pearl Walton Bland of Clifton Forge; Two sons, Jason Bland and his wife Nicole of Lexington and Travis Bland of Clifton Forge; two brothers, Larry Bland and his wife Mary of Dublin and Stephen Bland of Covington; one sister, Sandra Lemons and her husband John of Roanoke; several nieces and nephews and the Walton Family. The funeral service will be held Monday, November 30, 2015 at 2:00 PM in the Arritt Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. ...

Lila Swope Armentrout, 90, of 1923 South Rugby Street entered into Heaven from her residence and was given her wings Wednesday, November 18, 2015. Mrs. Armentrout was born May 25, 1925, at Dayton in Rockingham County a daughter of the late John M. and Lottie Jackson Swope. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first Husband, John Salyers, in 1967, and also by her second Husband, Buford Armentrout, in 2012. She was a charter member of the South Covington United Methodist Church where she had served as director of the Food Pantry, member of the United Methodist Women and in the choir. Lila was a long time member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Curtis A. Smith Post #1033 Veterans of Foreign Wars and was President of the Virginia VFW Auxiliary in 1995. She was a member of the Women of the Moose Chapter 911. Surviving are her Daughter, Linda Alfier, and Chipper Lockridge of Covington; her Grandson, Jonathan Morganti, and his Wife, Stephanie, of North Canton, Ohio; thr...

Vernon Lane Kemper, 68, died, Tuesday, November 17, 2015, in Jacksonville, Florida. Mr. Kemper was born April 8, 1947, in Alleghany County a son of the late Harry Gordon Kemper and Effie Tucker Kemper. Surviving are his Son, Vernon Cartwright, of Callahan, FL; four grandchildren; two Brothers, Harry L. "Woody" Kemper of Fincastle and Larry Kemper of Texas; three Sisters, Rachel Cochran of Minnesota, Betty Angle and Barbara Nicely, and several nieces and nephews. The graveside service will be held Monday afternoon at 2:00 PM in Lone Star Cemetery. The family will receive their friends at Arritt Funeral Home from 1:00 PM until service time. Cemetery Information Monday, November 23, 2015 Lone Star Cemetery 6115 Potts Creek Rd. Covington,VA - 24426 Service Monday, November 23, 2015 02:00 PM Lone Star Cemetery 6115 Potts Creek Rd. Covington,VA - 24426 Visition Monday, November 23, 2015 01:00 PM Arritt Funeral Home Chapel 1102 S. Highland Ave. Covington,Virginia - 2442...