Obituaries

Diane Leigh Richmond, 67, of 3616 Dunlap Creek Road died Thursday, June 26, 2014, at her home. Mrs. Richmond was born February 17, 1947, in Washington DC, a daughter of the late Warren and Roberta Keyton Leigh. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, George Leigh. Diane had retired from the human resources department of the former Lear Corp. in Covington. She was a member of the Dunlap Christian Church and was an avid supporter of the Relay For Life program. Surviving are her Husband of 50 years, James Richmond, of Covington; three Daughters and Sons-in-law, Tracy and Bobby Davis, Jr., Angela and Jonny Osbourne and Wendy and Lenny Vail, all of Covington; eight grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; one Sister, Cecilia Watts, of Charleston, WV; one Brother, Floyd Leigh, of Alabama and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Arritt Funeral Home with the Rev. Larry Atkins officiating. Interm...

Mildred McElwee Lowry, 87, of 6518 Indian Draft Road died Sunday, June 22, 2014, at Lewis Gale - Alleghany Hospital in Low Moor. Mrs. Lowry was born November 14, 1926, at Hot Springs a daughter of the late Ollie and Lora Bell Perry McElwee. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her Husband, Walter Quentin Lowry, in 2005; a Son, Kenneth Lowry; two brother, Gratton McElwee and Welford McElwee and three sisters, Sadie Lee Burns, Emma Lois Burns and Maxine Shinault. She had retired as a machine operator from the former Industrial Rayon Corp plant in Covington. She was a longtime member of the Falling Spring Presbyterian Church and was a Charter Member of the Falling Spring Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary where she had served as Treasurer. Surviving are two Sons and Daughters-in-law, Bill and Patricia Lowry of Millboro and Dale and Dolly Lowry of Covington; five grandchildren, Dale Lowry, Jr., and Holly Blackburn of Covington, Anthony Lowry and his fiance', Nikki Smith,...

Nancy C. Plymale Craft, of Burkeville, formerly of Covington, passed away on June 16 in Port Orange, FL after a long illness. She was born on September 28, 1939 in Covington to the late George H. and Trusby (Taylor) Plymale. Nancy previously worked for Halmode Apparel, Inc. and Aide's Department Store. She is preceded in death by her husband, James R. "Bo" Craft, and a sister, Kay Francis Plymale. She is survived by her son, Stephen G. Craft, his wife, Demi Wen-ling Lin, and two grandchildren, William R. Craft and Brittney N. Craft, of Port Orange, two sisters Mary Sue Woodson, of Covington; Barbara Jean Paxton, of Denver, CO., and two brothers George Eugene Plymale, of Tucson, AZ; William "Danny" Plymale, of Lynchburg; and nieces and nephews The family will receive friends and relatives on Thursday evening from 7:00 PM until 8:30 PM at the Arritt Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at Cedar Hill Cemetery on Friday at 11:00 AM, family and friends may gather at Arritt Funera...

Mary Jane Smith Brookman, 76, of 5206 Potts Creek Road, died Thursday evening at her residence. She was born March 13, 1938 in Webster County, West Virginia, a daughter of the late William Clyde and Hazel Virginia Taylor Smith. Ms. Brookman was formerly employed by the B & O Restaurant for over 17 years. She was a member of Lone Star Baptist Church and the Boiling Springs Senior Citizens. She loved going to church, being with family and taking care of her grandchildren. She enjoyed working in her garden, picking apples and canning for family. Her hobbies were sewing and quilting. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers and sisters, Jackie Smith, Judy Hamrick, Carol Persinger, Gerald Smith, Marlyn Smith, Darrol Smith and Garlin "Buddy" Smith; a son-in-law, Lester Cogar and a granddaughter, Mary Elizabeth Cogar. Surviving are; one daughter, Libby Cogar of Clifton Forge; four sons and daughters-in-law, William and Josephine Brookman ;Ernie and Lisa Cleavenger; T...

Robert Evans "Bobby" Wilkerson, 85, of 4403 Dunlap Creek Road, died, Monday, June 9, 2014 at Lewis Gale Alleghany Hospital in Low Moor. He was born December 14, 1928 in Alleghany County, a son of the late Willie Randolph and Viola Brown Wilkerson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Richard Wilkerson, Billy Wilkerson and Leon Wilkerson. Mr. Wilkerson served with the United States Army during the Korean War. He retired from MeadWestvaco in 1994 as a machine tender on #8 paper machine after 48 years of service. He was member of the American Legion Covington Post #4; the Local 675 Covington Paper Workers Union and the National Rifle Association. Mr. Wilkerson enjoyed working in his garden and spending time doing Woodworking. Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Martha Lewis Wilkerson of Covington; two sons, Gary Wilkerson and his wife Mitzie and Dale A. Wilkerson, all of Covington; two daughters, Donna English and her husband Harry of Moneta and Peggy P...

Albert Lee Mitchem, 70 of 8622 Ogles Creek Rd, died, May 30 2014 at his residence. He was born September 21, 1943 in Alleghany County, the son of the late George W. and Mildred Mitchem Richmond. Mr. Mitchem was a mechanical engineer with the Danieli Corporation. He was also a member of the Appollo Lodge No. 437, AF & AM. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by three brothers Dannie Richmond, Franklin Richmond, and Paul Richmond as well as an uncle, Arden Smith. Surviving are his wife of 22 years Amelia Jane Robinette Mitchem of Covington, three daughters Yvonne Mitchem of Chesapeake City, MD, Kim Righi and husband Brad of Galena, MD, and Yvette Beck and husband Sean of Ford City, PA, one son Thomas Bird of Sarasota, FL, four sisters Coleen Sexton of Covington, Gayleen Criddle of Clifton Forge, Carol Minnix and husband Glen of Middletown, DE, and Maxie McWilliams of Butler, PA, seven grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews and his special loving dog Wakie Lee Mi...

Wade Hill Wiseman, Sr. 77, of 117 Fort Apache Drive, died, Tuesday May 27, 2014 at Lewis Gale Alleghany in Low Moor. He was born July 2, 1936 at Gap Mill, WV a son of Rufus and Anna Fullen Wiseman. Mr. Wiseman was employed as a logger in the Alleghany Highlands. In addition to his parents, Wade was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda Baker Wiseman in 2005 and three brothers and two sisters. Surviving are three sons, Wade Wiseman, Jr. and his wife, Christina of Covington; Joseph Clark of Goshen and Chuck Clark and his wife, Karen of Hardy; two granddaughter, Madison Wiseman and Katelyn Ailstock, both of Covington; one great granddaughter, Kyla Brisendine and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be held at the graveside Saturday, May 31, 2014 at 1:00 PM in Lone Star Cemetery with the Rev. Sonny Wiseman officiating. The family will receive their friends 11:30 AM until 12:30 PM at the Arritt Funeral Home on Saturday before going to service. Cemetery Information Saturd...

Phyllis Gragg Wright, 80, of 304 Rogers Road, died, Tuesday May 27, 2014 at her residence. She was born January 29, 1934 in Alleghany County, a daughter of the late Marvin Hunter Gragg and Rella Gum Gragg Beck. Mrs. Wright was employed in the circulation department with The Virginian Review and a former Office Manager of the Loyal Oder of Moose 610. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and was a member of the former Women of the Moose in Covington. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Harold T. "Red" Wright in 2001 and also by two sisters, Norma Lee Davis and Sylvia Dooley. Surviving are one daughter, Tammy Smith and her husband Kirk of Millboro; two sons, Neal Wright of Eden, NC and Tracy Wright of Covington; three grandchildren, John May and Crystal May, both of Covington; and Terra May of Millboro; five great grandchildren, Michael May, Gabriella May, Zachary May, Chevelle Wright and Jemma Wright, all of Covington; one sister Bonnie Gragg of C...

Raymond Kent "Ray" Bennington, 81, of 600 W. Main Street Covington, died, Friday May 16, 2014 at his residence. Ray was born October 24, 1932 in Nelson County, a son of the late Raymond S. and Myrtle Kent Bennington. Mr. Bennington served with the United States Army during the Korean War. He was the manager for Covington Tire from 1969 until his retirement in 2000. Ray was a former Covington City Councilman and had served on the Covington School Board. He was an avid bowler. He was a member of Granbery Memorial United Methodist Church where was a lay leader . Surviving are his wife of 61 years, Ruth Jean Kent Bennington of Covington; one son and daughter - in - law, Tim and Barbara Bennington of Covington; two daughters and sons in - law- , Pam and Bob McCormack of Covington and Kathy and Jody Byers of Staunton; three grandchildren, Ryan McCormack and his wife Sarah of Roanoke; Megan McCormack and fianc James Rivero of Richmond and Hanna Jean Nester of Staunton; one great granddaughte...

Frank Curry Hunter, Jr., 70, of Ronceverte, WV, went home to be with the Lord and his wife and sweetheart of 50 years, Janet Arlene Booth Hunter, on Friday, May 16, 2014. He was born May 16, 1944 in Covington, VA, the son of the late Frank C. Hunter, Sr. and Shirley Mae Atkins Hunter. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by wife, Janet, in 2010; grandson, Jon Adam Hunter; a brother, James Allen Hunter and a sister, Linda Amos. Frank retired as a long haul truck driver after many years of service. He was a former employee of Hercules, Inc. in Covington. He was also a life-long proud and active patriot, involved in recent years with the Southern West Virginia Tea Party. Surviving, are four sons and daughters-in-law, Rick Hunter and wife Brenda of Fairlea, Frank C. Hunter III and wife Cheryl of Princeton, WV, Chris Hunter and wife Jennifer of Caldwell and Marc Hunter and wife Jill of Union; two daughters and sons-in-law, Teresa Koon and husband Terry of Lewisburg, Debi Fr...

Laura Robison Gallew, 84, of Covington, died, Thursday, May 15, 2014 at Woodlands Health and Rehab Center in Clifton Forge. Mrs. Gallew was born August 28, 1929 in Alleghany County, a daughter of the late Lonnie Ancle and Mildred Lucille Craft Robinson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Benjamin Franklin Gallew in 2002 and also by two brothers, Thurman Robinson in 2006 and Carl R. Robinson in 2012. She is survived by one sister, Alma Gillespie of Covington; a brother Harold Robinson of Covington and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be held 11:00 AM Monday, May 19, 2014 in the Arritt Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dan Gillette officiating. The interment will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery. The family will receive their friends on hour prior to service time at the Arritt Funeral Home on Monday. Cemetery Information Monday, May 19, 2014 Cedar Hill Cemetery 1521 S. Carpenter Dr. Covington,VA - 24426 Service Monday, May 1...

Mildred Mitchem Richmond, 87, of 8626 Ogle Creek Rd., died, Thursday, May 15, 2014 at Lewis Gale Medical Center in Salem. Mrs. Richmond was born August 8, 1926 in Bath County, a daughter of the late Paris and Allifair Webb Mitchem. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, George Richmond and also by three sons, Danny Richmond, Franklin Richmond and Paul Richmond and brothers and sisters. She was former CNA and had worked in health care for a number of years. Mrs. Richmond was a member of the Cornerstone Church of God of Prophecy. Surviving are one son, Albert Mitchem and his wife, Janie of Covington; four daughters, Gayleen Criddle of Clifton Forge; Coleen Sexton of Covington; Carol Minnix and her husband Glenn of Middletown, DE and Maxie McWilliams of Butler, PA; 15 grandchildren; a number of great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. The memorial service will be held Monday, May 19, 2014 at 2:00 PM in the Cornerstone Church of God of Prophecy with the Re...