Obituaries

Thomas Addison "Tommy" Williams, 42, of Covington, passed away August 1, 2015 surrounded by his loving family. He was born December 10, 1972 in Alleghany County a son of Thomas "Bo" and Judy Gallew Williams. Tommy was a hard worker and a very loyal person with a heart of gold. He was preceded in death by his infant sister Lisa Dawn Williams; maternal grandmother, Bessie Gallew; his paternal grandmother, Icie May Meadows Webb; grandfather, Thomas Norris Williams; uncle Charles Wayne Williams, aunt Judy Woodie; brother- in - law, Anthony "Tony" Raffo;; aunt Patricia Kilby and niece Brittany Ray. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his daughter Kimberly N. Williams of Selma; two step daughters ,Miranda Lipes and Mindy Gillespie both of Selma; four sisters, Rebecca Dimaano and her boyfriend, Carey Williams; Linda Raffo ; Alice Ramirez and Missy A Ray, all of Covington; several cousins including Michelle Hunter of Front Royal and Gary Nicely of Covington;a number of nieces and ne...

Elsie Pearl Irvine Tingler, 89, of Reston, died, Saturday, August 1, 2015 at Adler Center Hospice in Loudoun, VA. She was born July 14, 1926 in Rockbridge County, a daughter of the late Elbert and Zola Carter Irvine. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Vernon Knight Tingler in 1988 and also by two sisters, Mabel Morris and Peggy Sorrels and one brother, John Irvine. Mrs. Tingler had retired as a clerk with the former Roses Department Store in Covington. She was a member of Granbery Memorial United Methodist Church. She had an unusual spirit of contentment and was happy with the simple things in life. She enjoyed cooking and keeping up to date with the latest weather report. At Christmas, she loved having a "Ponde-setta" and a door wreath. She was a warm, positive and caring person who was a friend to all. Surviving are her two sons, Blaine Cody Tingler and his wife, Sharon, of Dale City and Timothy K. Tingler and his wife, Karen, of Sterling; two grand...

Robin Robinson Irvine, 46, of 522 E. Pine Street, died, Thursday, July 30, 2015 at the Augusta Medical Center in Fishersville. Robin was born July 10, 1969, in Covington, a daughter of Paul and Faye Crawford Robinson of Elkins, WV. She was the Manager of D & J Restaurant for 7 years. Robin was preceded in death by a brother, Timothy Robinson, in 2013. In addition to her parents, she is survived by three daughters, Samantha Harmon and her Husband, Travis; Taylor Irvine and Kadie Irvine, all of Covington; four grandchildren, Levi Harmon, Jaxon Harmon, Jeslyn Vess and Ka'Laya Irvine, all of Covington; one sister, Cathy Wright of Holladay, TN; the father of her children, James Irvine, of Covington and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be held Sunday, August 2, 2015, at 3:00 PM in the Arritt Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Bobby Irvine and Pastor Pam Irvine officiating. The family will receive their friends Saturday evening from 7:00 until 8:30 pm at the Arritt Funeral H...

The old gospel man , Donald Scott Byrd, age 82, of Salem, VA, went up the Hallelujah Turnpike, to the Hallelujah Square and checked in the Hotel Hallelujah. Each Room is filled with The Holy Spirit and the angles sing. He was preceded in death by his wife, Geraldine C. Byrd; his second wife, Ruth P. Byrd; a brother David Byrd; a step sister Sara Vandergrift; Parents Mary S. and Theodore R. Byrd; Aunt Josephine Byrd and a daughter in law, Sharon Khoshghad. Mr. Byrd is survived by the apple of his eye, Granddaughter Lauren C. Kelly, son-in-law, Majid Knoshghad, dear friends Lisa Bailey and Marva Allen and many other dear friends. Don was a graduate of Wharton School University of Pennsylvania. He had a very rewarding career with Hercules, Inc. for 41 years. One of Don's greatest accomplishments was his working and volunteering at the Salvation Army Rehabilitation Center in Wilmington, Delaware for over 12 years. Secondly, he shared his passion of gospel music with anyone that was willin...

Gregory Alan Smith, 40, of 5513 Johnson Creek Road died Saturday, July 25, 2015 at his home. Mr. Smith was born May 11, 1975, in Alleghany County a son of Warren "Randy" Smith II and the late Nancy Smith. Greg was a licensed hairstylist for the past 20 years with various shops and currently was employed at Smart Style in Covington. He was an avid music lover and learned to play the piano at an early age. Surviving in addition to his father are Scott Laws of Covington; his Step-mother, Marlene Smith, of Covington; two Brothers, Steven Smith and his Wife, Beverly, of White Sulphur Springs, WV, and Matthew Smith of Covington; his Sister, Christina Studebaker and her Husband, Kevin, of Lexington, NC; his nephew and longtime friend, Steven Smith, Jr. of Covington and two nieces, Christianna Studebaker and Lillian Studebaker, both of Lexington, NC. The funeral service will be held Thursday afternoon at 2:00 PM at the graveside Lone Star Cemetery. The family will receive their friends from 1...

Ruby Sampson Lockhart Leffel, 79, of 1320 Dee Street in Covington died Tuesday, July 7, 2015, in Logan, Utah. Mrs. Leffel was born January 14, 1936, in Covington a daughter of the late Joseph and Elvira Wilhelm Sampson. In addition ot her parents, she was preceded in death by her first Husband, Ray A. Lockhart, Sr. in 1999; her second Husband, Charles B. Leffel in 2005 and a Sister, Violet Hayward. She was a faithful member of the Covington Congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Surviving are two Daughters, Kathy Buck and her husband, Jerry, of Richfield Springs, NY; Lisa Bunnell and her husband, Paul, of Logan, Utah; her Son, Ray Lockhart, Jr. and his wife, Liesl, of Covington; three Step-daughters, Cynthia Sewell and her husband, Mike, of Beaufort, SC; Tina Cadle and her husband, Bruce, of Hepazabeth, GA, and Debra Leffel of Harlem, GA; a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren; four Sisters, Juanita Musser and Shirley Burdette, both of White Sulphu...

Solvin Clay "Brother" Cash, Jr., 60, of 910 N. Pocahontas Ave., died, Sunday, July 5, 2016 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Brother was born January 22, 1955 In Covington, a son of the late Solvin C. Cash, Sr. and Queenie Clark Cash. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Cindy Rose Cash in 2003 and also by 2 brothers and 3 sisters. He was a Safety Trainer /Crew Leader for MPW 21 years. Brother loved to camp with family and friends. His passions were professional wrestling and the Pittsburg Steelers. Surviving are his wife, Debra Arrington Cash of Covington; one daughter, Abagail Olivia Cash of Covington; four step daughters, Alisha Roberts and her husband Charles of Johnson City, TN; Nicole Via and her husband Ken of San Antonio,TX; Elizabeth Cress and her husband Greg of Wichita Falls, TX; and Heather Wolfe and her husband Tracy, of Covington; one step son, Charles R. Arrington and Lauren Campbell of Covington; one brother, Bill Cash and his wi...

Brent W. Fortune, 38, of Chilton, Wisconsin, died Sunday, June 25, 2017. He was born April 18, 1979 in Appleton, WI, a son of William M. "Bill" Fortune of Wisconsin and the late Beverly Karshner Fortune. In addition to his mother he was preceded by his Maternal Grandparents, Anne and Frank Karshner and paternal Grandfather, Gordon T. Fortune. Brent was currently employed at Grande Cheese Co. as a Millwright and an Industrial Electrician. In addition to his father, Brent is survived by his paternal grandmother, Blanche Ramsey Fortune of Craigsville, VA; three children, Justice Fortune; Phoenix Fortune and Scarlett Fortune, all of Wisconsin; one sister Mindy Hiddle and her husband Todd of Wisconsin; three brothers, Jerry Fortune and his wife Peg of Wisconsin; Billy Fortune of Roanoke and Brain Fortune and his wife April of Wisconsin; five nieces and one great niece and two great nephews. Funeral services were held in Wisconsin. A graveside service will be held Friday July 7, 2017 at 2:0...

Following a twelve-year battle with leukemia that culminated in a valiant and courageous fight against complications from bone marrow transplant at VCU Medical Center in Richmond, Nathanael Lawrence Gilbert, age 24, went Home to be with his Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, at 9:55 PM, on Thursday, June 25, 2015. The beloved son of Lawrence J. and Iris May Gilbert, Nathanael was born on Mother's Day, May 12, 1991, at 12:01 PM. Nathanael loved the outdoors and particularly enjoyed working outside, whether landscaping, taking down trees, splitting wood, or putting on a roof. He counted it a privilege to help people and was especially pleased when he could assist his kind and caring neighbors. He was an avid reader with a broad range of interests, and especially enjoyed military history and science. Some of his many interests included walking, bowling, fishing, woodworking, nature and nature study, active recycling, playing the trumpet, the study of aircraft and building model replicas, pol...

Darlene Brown Hooker, 66, of 428 Brentwood Drive, died, Monday June 22, 2015' at Lewis Gale Medical Center in Salem. She was born August 27, 1948, in Covington, a daughter of the late Clarence Brown and Alma Dale Brown Hilton. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her Husband, William C. "Mutt" Hooker, Jr. and one sister, Geneva Lemons. Darlene was a former clerk at Kroger in Covington. She was a member of Christ United Methodist Church. Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law, Heather and Shawn Matheney of New Castle; her son, Elliot C. Hooker and Shyanna Dame of Covington; three grandchildren, Emily Matheney and Hunter Matheney , both of New Castle and Kierstin Hooker of Covington; three sisters, Peggy Brown of Eagle Rock; Karinda Deal and her husband, Jamie, of Verona and Robin Armentrout of Waynesboro; one brother, David Brown and his wife, Elise, of Richmond and several nieces and nephews. In accordance with her wishes, her body has been cremated. The funeral...

Judy Meadows Woodie, 71, of 426 S. Lexington Ave. died Friday, June 19, 2015, at her residence. She was born April 5, 1944 in Alleghany County, a daughter of the late Thomas M. and Icie Meadows Webb. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Wayne Williams. Ms. Woodie was formerly employed by as a machine operator for Parker- Hannifin Corp in Greensboro, NC and Laney's Fish Camp Inc. in Mooresville, NC for 21 years. She loved all of her grandchildren and raising her Little Angel, Navaya and loved to read books. Surviving are two son, David McCulley, Jr. and Gary Nicely both of Covington; an adopted daughter, Susan Abernathy of NC; five grandchildren, Amanda Nicely of NC; Andrew Nicely of Goshen; Tera Nicely of Stuarts Draft; David Allen Shoemaker and Autumn Johnson both of Statesville, NC, six great grandchildren; two brothers, Thomas "Bo" Williams and his wife Judy and Allen Williams all of Covington and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins. The s...

Robert Noel Clarke Sr., 81 of 5408 Jackson River Rd., died, Sunday June 14, 2015 in Lewis Gale Medical Center. Mr. Clarke was born January 13, 1934 the son of the late John H. Clarke Sr. and Minnie Noel Clarke. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two sisters Rena Wilmer and Peggy Crawford; two brothers John J. Clarke Sr. and Gerald Clarke. He served our country in the United States Navy during the Korean War. Mr. Clarke worked as a mechanic at Downer Hardware. He was a very devoted and active member of Greenwood Presbyterian Church as well as a friend and supporter of Camp Appalachia. In keeping with his wishes, his body has been cremated. Surviving are three daughters Doreen Main and her husband Jeff of Deep Gap, N.C., Elizabeth Nagel of Roanoke, and Shana Wolfe and husband Benjamin of Christiansburg; three sons Robert Clarke Jr. of North Carolina, George Clarke of Hot Springs and Mark Clarke of Christiansburg; 14 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; three...