Obituaries

Steven Lamont Allen, age 57, passed away surrounded by family and friends, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at the Roanoke Memorial Hospital, following a short illness. 

Stevie was born, September 6, 1967, in Covington, and was preceded in death by his father, the late Ronald Lee Allen; a sister, Sherry Allen; his paternal grandparents, Gene and Gladys Allen; maternal grandparents Roy and Sarah Fourquean; two aunts, Barbara Allen, Linda Wyatt; three uncles, Donald Allen, Ricky Allen, and Clem Lee Wyatt; and one brother-in-law, Ricky Jackson.

Leaving to mourn his loss is his mother, Geraldine F. Allen; two sons whom he adored, Justin and Ronald Allen; his sister, Teresa Jackson of Roanoke; five very special cousins, Nadine Allen, Tony Allen, Kevin Allen, Kenneth Allen and Randall Allen; the mother of his boys, Michelle Triplet; three nephews, L.C. Carroll, Delmar Carroll and ...

Ronnie Kirk Stuart, affectionately known as "Papa Dukes", 67, of Clifton Forge, died Saturday, April 5, 2025 at the Brian Center – Alleghany in Low Moor.

He was born August 20, 1957, in Manassas, a son of the late Morris Beryl and Violet Ann Kirk Stuart. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Benjamin Stuart.

Ronnie dedicated many years to Prince William County, serving in various roles before retiring as a site inspector for the County government. He was a talented and creative person, adept at fixing things around the house and taking on remodeling projects. His interests included working on cars and programming computers. An avid reader, he also had a knack for drawing, music, cooking, and many other creative pursuits. Camping was a favorite way for him to relax and enjoy the outdoors with family and friends.

Shirley Bottomly Wickline, age 89, of Covington, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends at her residence, Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

She was born September 27, 1935, in Greenbrier County, WV, and was preceded in death by her parents, the late Robert Bottomly, Sr. and Marjorie Manspile Bottomly; her husband, Lewis C. “LC” Wickline; a sister, Roberta Gillispie; two brothers, Bob and Jack Bottomly.

Shirley leaves to mourn her loss a son, Michael (Margie) Wickline of Covington; three grandchildren, Ann (Jacob), Molly and Maggie (Justin) and numerous family members. She was a member of the Parrish Court United Methodist Church and a member of the Alleghany Crafters. For forty-one years she was the assistant manager at the former Aide’s Discount Store in Covington and after their closing worked at the Covington Craft Shop. She enjoyed reading, working puzzles, cr...

Corey Allen Byrd, born February 6, 1991, in Alleghany County, passed away on March 31, 2025, in Botetourt County.

Corey will lovingly be remembered as the sweetest and kindest soul, a true pleasure to have known. He possessed a boundless generosity, the type of person who would give the shirt off his back without hesitation. His infectious sense of humor could leave anyone doubled over with laughter. He was the best undiscovered comedian around. Corey adored all animals, especially his beloved dog, Leroy.

He was everything to his mother, Michele Frye, and his father, Gilbert Perry Smith Jr., and he touched the lives of everyone he met, including the love of his life, Melissa Richmond. His constant happiness and the joy he brought simply by being present will be deeply missed. His spontaneous visits and family cookouts, filled with laughter and play with the kids, will le...

William “Boomie” Julian Cosby, age 50, of Covington, died Monday, March 31, 2025 in Botetourt County.

Boomie was born, May 12, 1974 in Richmond, and was preceded in death by his mother, the late Louise Smith Cosby; his paternal grandparents, Edward and Dorothy Cosby; his maternal grandparents, Nancy and Julian Smith; a brother, William James Cosby, Jr.

Surviving is his wife, Renee Wooding Cosby of Roanoke; his father, Willie James Cosby, Sr. of Covington; a son, Raquann Matthews of Waynesboro; a daughter, Zoe Berryman of Covington; a granddaughter, his pride and joy, Iyla Berryman of Covington; a sister, Dorothy Cosby of Covington; a cousin/brother, Eddie Cosby of Waynesboro; two special aunts, Nadine Horton of Waynesboro and Mary Ann Wilkerson of Richmond; two nephews, Avion Brickhouse and Isaiah Cooper; two nieces, Katura Cosby and Rayne Wilkens;  three special co...

Leonard Glenn Minnix, age 77, of Covington, died Saturday, March 29, 2025 at Lewis-Gale Alleghany Hospital in Low Moor.

Glenn was born June 7, 1947, in Wise County, and was preceded in death by his parents, the late Sherman Freeman and Irella Minnix; a sister, Shirley Freeman; two brothers, James and Ronnie Freeman.

Surviving his loss is his wife, Mary Carol Richmond Minnix of Covington; a son, Nicholas Glenn Minnix of Newark, Delaware; a sister, Lorene Freeman; four brothers, Steve, Curtis, Randy and Garlin; and many other family members. Glenn loved and cherished by all his family, including those he spent much of his time with in retirement; sister-in-law Coleen Sexton and her husband, Jerry; sister-in-law Gayleen Criddle; sister-in-law Maxie McWilliams and extended family too long to list without fear of hurting anyone’s feelings. He was fulfilled in retirement by ne...

William “Bill” Earl Bookman, age 70, of Covington, died Friday, March 28, 2025, at his residence.

Bill was born October 27, 1954, in Roanoke, and was preceded in death by his parents, the late Earl R. Bookman and Marie McFaddin Wiginton; two sisters, Judy Mays, Patricia Huwig.

Surviving to morn his loss is his loving wife, Susan Jackson Bookman; a son, William A. “Billy” Bookman of California; a daughter, Amanda Odell of North Carolina; six grandchildren; a sister Donna Vickery of Clifton Forge; a brother, Tracy L. Bookman of Bonsack; and other family members.

Bill took great pleasure in the pursuit in fishing and had a deep enthusiasm for assembling model airplane and locomotive kits.

In keeping with his wishes his body has been cremated.

Robert “Bob” Douglas Wells, of Covington, age 84, died, Sunday, March 23, 2025, at Lewis-Gale Medical Center in Salem.

Robert was born, July 3,1940, in Ashville, NC, and was preceded in death by his parents, the late Cecil J. Wells and Vivian Lyle Wells; and a step-son Donald Kirby.

Surviving is his wife of 22 years, Peggy “Penny” Smith Wells; a son, Doug Wells; two daughters, Theresa (Jay) Perdue of Covington and Sharon Wells of Millboro; a stepdaughter, Lisa (Greg) Horton of Clifton Forge; seventeen grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.

He was employed at MeadWestvaco for 43 years and retired working on #2 paper machine in ‘2002’. He was a member of Pinnell Chapel United Methodist Church; a proud former Mason and to his family and friends, he was an amazing man.

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Helen Sovereen Grimes, of Covington, age 77, died Sunday, March 23, 2025, at her residence.

She was born September 22, 1947, in Blue Rock, WV, and was preceded in death by her parents, the late Lorenzo Sovereen and Leona May Cutwright Sovereen; her husband, Donald Gene Grimes, Sr.; and three siblings, Sadie Landis, Harold Sovereen, and Phyllis Pulley.

Surviving to mourn her loss are her daughter, Chanda Cook and husband, Todd, and son Donald “Donnie” Grimes, Jr. both of Covington; three grandchildren, Chandler Cook, Ashton Cook and Trey Cook; a brother, Monzel Sovereen of Hot Springs; several nieces and nephews, including Clyde Landis, Jr.

Helen co-owned H&M Electric, Inc. for many years. In her free time, she loved watching game shows and professional wrestling. As an avid animal lover, she devoted time to caring for her cats, dogs, ducks, and geese. Above all, she cheri...

Richard Lee “Dickie” Bell, age 86, of Covington, died Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at the Lewis-Gale Medical Center in Salem.

Dickie was born January 2, 1939, in Alleghany County, and was preceded in death by his parents, Roy Bell and Ocie Alice Bell of Waiteville, WV; and a younger brother, Donald Bell.

Richard is survived by his wife of 34 years, Cassandra (Vinson) Bell of Covington; two sons, Rodney Bell and wife Brenda of Covington and Brian Bell of Nags Head, NC; three grandchildren, Jon Bell and wife Megan of Knoxville, TN, Chris Bell and wife Beth of Covington, Katelyn Bell Nicely and husband Adam of Covington; ten great-grandchildren and other family members.

He attended Faith Baptist Church in Covington and worked for forty-one years at Westvaco until his retirement. Richard had a love for all sports, especially gol...

Kenzo Lee Walker, age 2, of Clifton Forge, passed away, Friday, March 14, 2025, at UVA Medical Center, in Charlottesville.

Kenzo was born, April 30, 2022, and is survived by his mother, Elektra Walker, a brother Axton, both of Clifton Forge; his maternal grandmother, Michelle Wade of Clifton Forge; his maternal grandfather, Quintin (Melissa) Walker, Jr. of Clifton Forge; numerous family members including aunts, uncles and cousins.

His body has been cremated.

A family organized memorial service will be held on April 5th at 2:00 PM at the Clifton Forge Baptist Church.

Arritt Funeral Home has been entrusted with Kenzo’s arrangements.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at arrittfuneralhome.com.

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Leonard Lee Meadows, age 85, of Caldwell, WV, died Monday, March 10, 2025, at the CAMC Greenbrier Valley Medical Center.

He was born, February 1, 1940, in Red Star, WV, and was preceded in death by his parents, the late Admiral Dewey Meadows and Georgia Meadows; and a grandson, Michael Meadows, II.

Leonard leaves to mourn his loss his wife of 65 years, Mildred Bogges Meadows; two sons, Ricky (Becky) Meadows of Powhatan and Michael (Robin) Meadows of Moorseburg, TN; five grandchildren, Gabrielle Ransbottom of Chesapeake, Ohio; Mark Meadows of Goochland, Holly Chilton of Prince George County, Rachel Meadows of Mooresburg, TN, and Patrick Carville of Mooresburg, TN; six great-grandchildren; one brother, William Meadows of Prince George County.

He was a self-employed contractor and worked at the former Hercules, Inc. in Coving...