Obituaries

Verlan Amos Simmons, 74, of Covington, died Friday, December 20, 2024 at his residence, surrounded by his family.

He was born May 13, 1950, in Alleghany County, a son of the late Roy A. and Dollie Humphries Simmons.

Mr. Simmons was a bus driver with the former Alleghany County Public Schools for over 30 years. His hobbies and interests were many, and his family lovingly considered him a “Jack of All Trades”. He attended Highland Chapel Christian Church.

Surviving is his wife of 54 years, Ruby Wolfe Simmons; two sons, Doug Simmons and his wife, Anita and Chuck Simmons and his wife, Christie, all of Covington; four grandchildren, Alisha (Danny) Little, D.J. (Mykala) Simmons, Andy (Helen) Simmons, and Tyler (Jordan) Simmons; nine great-grandchildren, and one brother, Sonny Simmons, of Covington.

Robert Paul Crawford, age 67, of Covington, died Saturday, December 14, 2024, at Lewis-Gale Alleghany Hospital in Low Moor.

Robert was born October 4, 1957 in Covington, and was preceded in death by his parents, Margie Blankenship Crawford and Robert Leo Crawford; and a brother, Calvin Crawford.

Until his retirement at Meade Westvaco, he worked as a  2nd assistant in the Recovery department. He was also a former manager at Aides Department Store in Covington and was a member of the Masonic Lodge #171 AF & AM. He attended Bethesda Church in White Sulphur, WV and served in the United States Army.

He leaves to mourn his loss his wife, Cathy Armentrout Crawford, three sons, Adam (Lauren) Crawford, Andrew (Lisa) Crawford and Luke William Crawford, all of Covington; a stepdaughter, Misty (Josh Downey) Byer of Covington;...

Dorothy Via Brunson, 68, of Clifton Forge, died Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at her residence.

She was born May 27, 1956, in Alleghany County, a daughter of the late John E. and Gladys Agnor Via. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Wayne Via and Delbert Via.

Mrs. Brunson loved being outdoors, spending time with her family, and looking after the neighborhood cats.

Surviving is her son, Scott Via and his wife, Brandi, of Covington; five grandchildren, Cody Via, Abby (Will) Atkins, Madilyn Via, Jaxon Via, and Stella Via; one brother, Darrell Via and his wife, Heidi, of Covington; and several nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held on Sunday, December 15, 2024 at 2:00 PM in Cedar Hill Cemetery with the Rev. Gary Marshall officiating....

Jean Taylor Clemons, 93, of Covington, went to her heavenly home to be with her husband Jim, on Monday, December 9, 2024.

She was born February 1, 1931 in Seaford, Delaware, a daughter of the late Oliver and Clara Taylor. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her special husband Jim Clemons; four brothers, Oliver, Frank, Bill, and Paul; three sisters Ruth, Isabelle and Betty; two sisters-in-law, Barbara Jones and Pat Buttner.

She is survived by her daughter, Mickey Floyd and her husband, R.L.; one son, Eddy Clemons and his wife, Terry; grandchildren, Robby, Heather (Mike), Nicole and Brian; a great-granddaughter, Dakota; several nieces and nephews, including a special nephew Johnny and a special niece, Pee Wee; special care angels, Krista, Schuyler, Crystal, Susanne, Dianna, Charlene and Meg; and a special nurse, Tracy Paxton. She loved all of her fur ...

Richard Monroe Caldwell, Sr., 83, of Low Moor, died Monday, December 9, 2024 at his residence.

Mr. Caldwell was born August 10, 1941, in Alleghany County, a son of the late Cecil R. and Deloris Wolfe Caldwell. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sons, Tony Jeffrey Caldwell and Derick Michael Caldwell; and three brothers, Danny Caldwell, Donnie Caldwell, and Larry Hosey.

Richard worked as a rock mason for many years.

Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Elizabeth Darlene Warden Caldwell of Low Moor; five children, Sandra Dee (Nathan) Conlin, Richard (Ginger) Caldwell, Jr., Frankie (Tammy) Caldwell, David (Catherine) Caldwell, and Amanda (David) Morgan, all of Clifton Forge; one bonus child, Danny Porter of Low Moor; 14 grandchildren, Joey, Ricky, Crystal, Michael, Steven, Lynn, Ethan, Derek, Frank...

Charles Kenneth Goodwin, 77, of Covington, died Sunday, December 8, 2024 at his residence.

Funeral arrangemens are incomplete and are being handled by Arritt Funeral Home.

Gregory Glen Reynolds, age 73, of Covington, died Saturday, December 7, 2024, at his residence.

Gregory was born May 11, 1951, in Alleghany County, and was preceded in death by his parents, the late Lawrence Reynolds and Lizzie Huff Reynolds.

Surviving is his daughter, Katherine (Paul) Clayton; a grandson, Blake Harrison Clayton, all of Gibsonville, N.C.; and one sister, Lana Sue Tyree, Newport News.

He graduated from Covington High School, Hampton Sydney College and MCV Pharmacy School. Mr. Reynolds was a pharmacist and hospital administrator.   He loved music, playing the guitar and the drums and his cat Lola.

In keeping with the wishes of Mr. Reynolds, his body has been cremated.

Arritt Funeral Home has been entru...

Thomas Edwards Perkins, Sr., 68, of Covington, died Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at his home in Falling Spring.

He was born July 12, 1956, in Alleghany County, a son of Thomas G. and Shirley Broughfman Perkins.

Mr. Perkins retired from Westrock in 2018 after nearly 43 years of service as an oiler in preventative maintenance. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoyed going to flea markets, riding motorcycles, and adored his three grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his son, Thomas Perkins, Jr. (Ashley Lee) of Frankford, WV; and three grandchildren, Jonathan, Lucy and Lilly Perkins.

In keeping with his wishes, his body has been cremated and his ashes are to be spread at his home.

The family will receive their fr...

James Harold Hanna, 74, of Louisville, KY and formerly of Covington, died Monday, November 25, 2024 at Highlands Nursing and Rehabilitation in Louisville, KY.

He was born May 26, 1950, in Wooster, Ohio, a son of the late Vivian Hicks. In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by one brother, David Hicks.

James spent his early years in the home of his grandparents, Jesse and Vinnie Hicks and lived most of his adult life in Maryland.

Survivors include two brothers, Dwight Argabrite of Maryland and Keith (Nancy) Hicks of Covington; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A graveside funeral service will be held on Friday, November 29, 2024 at 3:00 PM in Lonestar Cemetery with the Rev. Bill Gilliland officiating. The family will receive their friends from 1:30 PM to 2:30 P...

Dale Andrew Wilkerson, 65, of Covington, died Friday, November 22, 2024 at his residence.

He was born on April 22, 1959 in Alleghany County a son of the late Robert E. Wilkerson and Martha Lewis Wilkerson. In addition to his parents, his was preceded in death by a brother, Gary Wilkerson, and his sister Donna English.

Dale worked for Westrock in the wood department for many years. He was life member of Palestine Chapel Presbyterian Church and he served on the Palestine Chapel Cemetery committee. He was a proud member of the NRA.

Survivors include his sister, Peggy (William) Parks of Concord, NC; one aunt, JoAnn Cook of Covington, a brother-in-law, Harry English of Moneta; Mitzie Jones of Covington; two nieces, Erin Wood and Ashley Bobbitt; three nephews, Travis Parks, Mason Wilkerson, and Brian McGuire; and number of great...

Sheridan “Chip” Dimon, Jr.  of Covington, passed away on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at Lewis-Gale Hospital Alleghany in Low Moor, surrounded by his loving family.

Chip was born, April 8, 1963, in Winchester, Virginia and was preceded in death by his parents, the late Sheridan Dimon, Sr. and Evelyn Dimon, who instilled in him a spirit of adventure and resilience.

Following his high school graduation in 1981 in Warren County in Front Royal, Sheridan enthusiastically joined the Navy, creating unforgettable memories and exciting stories he enjoyed sharing with everyone. His career at Garten Trucking further showcased his dedication and work ethic.

In 2002, he married his devoted partner, Donna Dimon, with whom he spent over 27 beautiful years. 

Surviving to mourn his loss are his five daughter...

Herbert Scott Mitchell, 66, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully at Lewis Gale Medical Center in Salem, Virginia, on November 21, 2024. Known affectionately as Scott, he was a man whose life was marked by dedication, love, and a profound connection to family.

Born on December 9, 1957, in Baltimore, Maryland, Scott was the son of the late Herbert Stevenson Mitchell and Beatrice Elizabeth Tender Mitchell. He was also preceded in death by his in-laws, Ovila Joseph Cormier and Velma Jean Beavers Cormier. Raised in McLean, Virginia, Scott graduated from Langley High School in 1976. He pursued further education at Northern Virginia Community College and Diesel Mechanic School, completing his studies in 1978. That same year, he embarked on a 40-year career with Interstate Van Lines, where his dedication and work ethic were evident to all who knew him.

Scott's love for the outdoors was a defining aspec...