Obituaries

Maybelle Sampley Wright, 81, of Covington, died Monday, February, 24, 2025.

She was born November 18, 1943 in Mesa, Arizona, a daughter of the late Elmer and Cordie Byrd Sampley. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Don Sampley and Ferris Sampley.

Maybelle loved reading, shopping, and traveling to new places and especially loved Branson, MO and Nashville, TN. She especially loved spending time with her family.

She leaves to mourn her loss her husband, Ronald E. Wright, Sr. of Covington; a son Ronnie (Debra) Wright of Oklahoma City, OK; four daughters, Debbie (Don) Stevens of Napa, ID, Patty Kern of Ephrata, WA, Christy (Tim) Waters of Othello, WA, Mindy (Blair) Evens of Royse City, TX; 16 grandchildren; 26 great-great grandchildren; two sisters, Flora Hampton an...

Frank D. Williamson, age 91, passed away on February 24, 2025 at the Brian Center.

Mr. Williamson was born in Bluefield, WV of parents Lawrence A. Williamson and Julia B.

Davidson Williamson.

Educated in the public schools of the Bluefield area, he graduated from Concord (College) in

1955. He was employed by the First National Bank of Bluefield for a number of years, after

which he decided to try teaching instead. He became a business teacher at Bland High School,

Bland, VA in 1961 and taught there for 4 years. Having decided that teaching would be his life’s

work, he obtained a M.S. in Business Administration from Virginia Tech during 1966-67.

In the fall of 1967, he became a business instructor at DSLCC (now Moun...

Thomas Daniel (Danny) Warlitner, age 88, of Covington, died Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the Salem Virginia Medical Center in Salem.

Danny was born April 13, 1936, in Alleghany County, and was preceded in death by his parents, the late Frank Edward Warlitner, Sr. and Mamie Gladys Fix Warlitner; his wife Barbara Gail Sites Warlitner, of sixty years; four brothers, Sonny, Tony, W.L. and Donnie Warlitner.

Danny retired in 1994 from the Alleghany Sheriff’s Department after thirty-one years of service and during that time he was the sheriff for eight years. He served his country in the United States Marine Corp for eight years. He was a loving husband, a great dad, a loyal friend and loved spending time with his grandchildren. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing golf and going to the beach.

Leaving to mourn his loss are hi...

Mary Ann Tucker Bowen, age 81, of Covington, died Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at Lewis Gale Hospital Alleghany.

Mary Ann was born, June 1, 1943, in Alleghany County, and was preceded in death by her parents, the late Harry Mark Tucker and Virginia Wright Tucker Bowen; her husband, Luther Bowen; and a sister, Zetta Martin.

Surviving are two daughters, Teresa (Carl) Simmons and Charlotte Ann (Lonnie) Hepler both of Covington; a son, Phillip Wayne (Tina) May of Covington; eleven grandchildren, twenty-eight great grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; several step-children and step-grandchildren; three brothers, James Tucker, Harry Lewis (Deb) Tucker and Ellis Tucker, all of Covington; and numerous other family members.

For many years she worked at the former Halmode, Inc. in Covington as a seamstress. She enjoyed spe...

Eugene Walter Crowder, age 85, of Covington, passed away, Monday, February 17, 2025, at Pheasant Ridge Memory Center - Senior Care Center in Roanoke.

Eugene was born July 10, 1939, and was preceded in death by his parents, the late Charlie Crowder and Mildred Bowen Crowder; a lifelong companion Gloria Dressler; three sisters, Georgia Johnson, Shelby Crizer and Irene Glenn; a favorite nephew, Michael (Spud) Slayton; and a niece, Kathy Glenn.

Surviving to mourn his loss is, Marie Slayton of Covington; two adopted nieces, Debbie Johnson of Covington and Donna Rudgers of Orlando, Florida.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, February 21, 2025 at Alleghany Memorial Park with Chris Fisher officiating.

Family and friends can gather at Arritt Funeral Home on Friday from 12:30...

Robert Lee “Robbie” Church, Jr., age 63, passed away February 17, 2025, at his residence.

Robbie was born, June 28, 1961, in Alleghany County to Robert L. Church, Sr. and Phyllis Grimm Church of Covington.

Other than his parents, those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Toni Anne Thompson Church; three sons, Lee Church and wife Sarah of Hot Springs, Michael Church of Covington, Brandon Church and wife Crista of Covington; grandchildren, Kylie Church and Sam, Erika and Ashton, Cameron, Hunter, Kennedy, Lexi and Maddie; brothers Tony Church and wife Melissa, Steve Church and wife Ana; numerous cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews; a dear friend R.C. Cole and his beloved dog Roscoe.

In Robbie’s spare time he loved hunting and attending his kids and grandkids sporting events. Robbie was a loving son, husband, fathe...

Marilyn Hoke Tucker, age 79, of Covington, died Friday, February 14, 2025, at her residence.

She was born December 4, 1945 in Laurel Maryland, and was preceded in death by her parents, the late Everette and Lelia Hoke; her husband, Everett M. Tucker; a daughter, Clara Walton; and also an infant sister and Betty Bowen.

She retired as a teachers aid at the YMCA.

She leaves to mourn a companion, Curtis Broughfman; a daughter, Susan (Tab) Fridley; three sons, Everett (Reba) Tucker, James L. Tucker and Matthew (Sarah) Tucker all of Covington; a brother, Alvin (Patricia) Hoke; a sister Emma Boswell both of Maryland; seven grandchildren, Mellisa O'Conner, Jimmy Walton Jr., David Wayne Tucker, Christina Davis, Lisa Tucker,James Fridley IV and Brandon Walton. She also leaves behind 14 Great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and ...

Lisa Terry Hayslett, age 58, of Covington, died Sunday, February 9, 2025, at Good Samaritan Hospice, Roanoke.

She was born August 1, 1966 in Greenbrier County, and was preceded in death by her mother, the late Diane Terry Long; and a daughter, Sarah Rhodes.

Lisa was a dedicated Certified Nursing Assistant until her early retirement. She found great joy in her later years indulging in crafts and creative hobbies.

She leaves to mourn her life two daughters, April Rhodes, and Melanie Marks both of Covington; six grandchildren, Destiny Marks, Owen Sturdibant, Sarah Fleshman, Nevaeh Marks, Addyson Bolton and Emalynn Nicely; two great grandchildren and also surviving are other family members.

In keeping with Ms. Hayslett’s wishes her body has been cremated and a service will be he...

Cheryl Lynette Cale, age 57, of Covington, died Friday, February 7, 2025 at Bath County Community Hospital.

She was born July 27, 1967 in Alleghany County, and she was preceded in death by her parents, the late Ronald W. Cale Sr. and Judith Smith Cale.

She loved listening to Elvis Presley and was a fan of race car driver, Jimmy Johnson.

She leaves to mourn her loss two brothers, Chipper Cale and Mathew Cale; and a sister, Kerry Weade all of Covington. Also surviving are aunts, uncles and cousins.

In keeping with her wishes, her body has been cremated.

A service will be held at a later date.

Arritt Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Deniece Marie Hubbard, age 59, of Covington died February 7, 2025.

She was proceeded in death by her father; Robert Smith and a granddaughter; Taylor Atkinson.

Deniece leaves behind her husband, Benjamin Lanier Hubbard, Jr.; her mother and step-father, Marie and Robert DeGuzman; three daughters, Catrina Hill (Christopher), Britany Cox (Keven) and Merissa Hubbard (Derek); a son, Benjamin Lanier Hubbard III (Megan); two sisters, Sandra Howell (Jeremy Howell) and Cynthia Glover; a brother-in-law, Timothy Hubbard; two step-brothers, Ronnie (Jama) and Robert DeGuzman Jr. (Marilyn ); a step-sister, Rose Conn (Mike Conn), 10 grandchildren, Kiersten Stogner (Justin), Dylan Atkinson, Cameron Cox, Kendall Cox, Landon Hill, Giovanni Amato, Christopher Cox, Jaxson Ludlow, Donovan Ludlow, Ashton Rambo and Addalyn Rambo; a great-grandchild, Lennon Stogner; and a number of nieces, neph...

Shirley Bowes McFadden Sizemore, age 86, of Covington, died Thursday, February 6, 2025 at her residence.

She was born November 21, 1938, in Greenbrier County, and was preceded in death by her parents, the late Blanchard Bowes and Mary Dotson Bowes; five sisters and four brothers.

Shirley enjoyed being a homemaker and raising her children until they started school; then she went to work as a supervisor at Bonanza in Covington and retired from the Covington Pizza Hut as a general manager.  She loved gardening, pulling weeds and especially enjoyed bird watching.

She leaves to mourn her loss a son, Larry McFadden; two daughters, Barbara (Tim) Bennington, and Brenda (Jeff) Lowe all of Covington; one grandchild who was her pride and joy, Chase Bratton of Mooresville, NC; two bonus grandchildren, Caleb Lowe of Harrisonburg a...

Alice Webb St. Clair, age 75, of Selma, died Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at her residence.

She was born April 19, 1949, in Alleghany County, and was preceded in death by her parents, the late John A. Webb and Meredith Fleshman Smith; her husband, Huston E. St. Clair; and a sister, Ella Jamison.

For many years she was employed as a seamstress at the former Halmode, Inc. in Covington.   Alice was an active member of her church, Epworth United Methodist in Selma where she served as president of the Women of the Church. She enjoyed sewing so much, during Covid she graciously made masks for everyone.

Leaving to mourn her loss is a daughter, Rose Wright; a grandson, Charlie Fisher, both of Selma; a sister, Gaye Lynn Barnes of Ohio; a special friend, Lois Calender of Franklin County and numerous other family members.