Obituaries

Berlin Albert “BA” Fridley, Jr., 83, of Covington, died Thursday, July 16, 2026, at the Brian Center – Alleghany in Low Moor.

He was born June 28, 1943, in Alleghany County, a son of the late Berlin A. Fridley, Sr., and Maxine Bess Fridley. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Hancock Fridley, and his sister, Sue Fridley.

BA worked as a self-employed contractor in the Alleghany Highlands for many years. A longtime and dedicated member of Covington Moose Lodge #610, he served in numerous capacities over the years. In recognition of his exceptional service and commitment to the fraternity, he was honored with the prestigious Pilgrim Degree of Merit — the highest honor bestowed by the Loyal Order of Moose. He was also a strong and active supporter of Area 18 Special Olympics, generously giving his time and energy to the organization.

Gwendolyn Ann Wolfe, 76, of Covington, died Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at the Brian Center Alleghany in Low Moor.

She was born June 26, 1950, in Covington, a daughter of the late Edna Woodson Lowe. In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Junior "Woofie" Wolfe; a granddaughter, Gracie Ann Spinks; one brother, Roy Lowe; and two sisters, Linda Hosey and Betty Fridley.

Gwen was a longtime member of Mt. Carmel Methodist Church and an active participant in the Women’s Morning Circle. She loved playing bingo, spending time with her family, and staying connected on Facebook. She especially cherished the fellowship of her church family and enjoyed going to Cucci’s Pizzeria. She was affectionately known by many as the “ticket lady” for the church’s annual fall bazaar.

Left to cherish her memory are ...

Blanche Rachel Perkins, 86, of Covington, died Monday July 13, 2026 at her residence.

She was born October 23, 1939 in Bath County, a daughter of the late John and Icyphine Shifflett Perkins. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Jerry Keyser; seven brothers; and three sisters.

Blanche retired in 1993 as a bus driver for the Alleghany Highlands School Board after 26 years of dedicated service. She was a longtime member of Temple Baptist Church, the Red Hat Ladies, and Chapter #911 of the Women of the Moose. She also worked for several years as a Certified Nursing Assistant.

Survivors include her children, Kay Hoke (Don Hoyt), Gail Crickenberger, Sherry Keyser, and Michael (Bonnie) Keyser, all of Covington, and Dale (Karen) Keyser of Waterloo, SC; two grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; three g...

Helen Louise Gaylor, 98, of Covington, passed away on Saturday, July 11, 2026 after a brief illness.

Helen was born in Goshen, Va on March 20, 1928.  She was the daughter of the late Walter Gaylor and Hattie Burke Gaylor. She moved to Covington in her late teens where she worked at numerous businesses, including the Merchants Association, Rayon, Hercules, Aides Discount and Magic Mart. Over the years Helen was also a caregiver for many in the local area. She was a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church.

In addition to her parents, Helen was preceded in death by her daughter, the late Dreama Taylor in 1952; her sisters Maude Gaylor, Estelle Fortune, Marie Fox, Virginia Hooten; her brothers, Walter Stuart Gaylor, Arthur Gaylor, James Gaylor and Howard Gaylor.

Helen is survived by a sister, Mary Baker of Fort Mill...

Loretta Galloway Craft, age 84, of Covington, died Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Woodlands Health and Rehab Center in Clifton Forge.

She was born May 26, 1942, in Clifton Forge, and was preceded in death by her parents, the late James W. Galloway and Maxine Richards Galloway; a sister, Virginia Ruth Simmons; a brother, Raymond Lee Galloway.

Loretta was employed for twenty-two years at the Emmett Memorial Hospital, afterwards working at Alleghany Memorial Hospital as an Operating Room Tech and as a Nursing Assistant. She was a member of Falling Springs Rescue Squad for five years, and for the Red Cross as a CPR instructor for fourteen years and then as a Red Cross instructor.

She leaves to mourn her loss her husband, Gerald E. “Heavy” Craft; a daughter, Dawn C. Downer and husband Michael of Covington, a son, Gerald A. and Melissa Craft of Denver, N.C...

Phyllis Jean Bowen Tingler, age 81, of New Castle, died Thursday, June 25, 2026, at her residence.

She was born, December 23, 1944, in Laurel, Maryland, and was preceded in death by her parents, the late Charles Bowen and Annie Brookman Bowen; a son, Paul Hinkle, two sisters, Bertha Elmore, Arletta Hinkle, three brothers, Rodney Bowen, Jerry Bowen, and Leon Bowen.

For many years Phyllis was employed at Kountry Korner's as a clerk. During her past time, she enjoyed working in her yard, planting beautiful flowers, cooking for the family that she adored and loved.

Surviving her loss is her husband, Virgil J. Tingler of New Castle; three daughters, Lisa Osborne of Covington, Pamela (David) Kincaid of Hot Springs, Debbie (Jamey) Smith of Covington, three sons, Robert Hinkle of Covington, Gary (Melissa) Hinkle of Covington, Stev...

Pearl Hosey Tucker. Age 69, of Covington gained her angel wings on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at her residence.

She was born, August 24, 1956, in Alleghany County, and was preceded in death by her parents, the late Kenneth and Mary Bowan Hosey; father and mother-in-law, Haven and Ada Tucker; seven siblings, Isabel, Lithia, and Teresa Hosey, Edith May, Christine Irvine, Mike and George Hosey.

Surviving to mourn her loss is her husband of fifty-one years, Darrel W. Tucker of Covington, her daughter Crystal T. Marsh of Covington, her son, Darrel E. Tucker of Covington (Amanda); grandchildren, Kenny Tucker (Zoay), Ryan H. Tucker, a special grand dog, Rascal, adoptive grandchild, Skylar Nicolas, step-grandchild, Easton Lane; siblings and in laws, Linda Kress of Covington, Wendell Cooter of Covington, Keith Hosey & Darlene, Becky, Patsy (Richard) Hosey of Covington, Virginia...

David Lee Arritt, Sr., 79, of Covington, died Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at his residence.

He was born March 13, 1947 in Washington D.C., a son of the late Albert B. Arritt, Sr. and Elizabeth Jean Ryder Arritt.

David graduated from Covington High School in 1965 and from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1969. Following in the footsteps of his father and uncle, Hafford Lee “Doc” Arritt, Sr., he joined the family business and dedicated his career to Arritt Funeral Home. A passionate advocate for his profession, he served as President of the Virginia Funeral Directors Association, as a board member of the International Order of the Golden Rule, and was twice named VFDA Funeral Director of the Year. In 2019, he was honored with the “Golden License” for 50 years of dedicated service as a licensed funeral director. He also earned the professional designation of Certi...

Henry “Kevin” Fry, of 207 Addison Patch Road, Hot Springs passed away peacefully at his home on June 20, 2026, after a brief illness.

He was born, June 3, 1961, to the late Harold Lee Fry, Sr. and Ann Lillian Whiteside Fry in Hot Springs. He was preceded in death by his parents; his mother-in-law, the late Patricia Stover; a brother-in-law, Billy Stover; and a sister-in-law, Annette Stover.

Kevin graduated from Bath County High School and worked in the print shop at the Homestead and later pursued a career in carpentry and construction. He was known for his unwavering faith and dedication to his family as well as always willing to lend a helping hand. Kevin was known as Pawpaw to many children besides his grandchildren and could always be found in the bleachers for football games supporting his grandson Hunter or helping his granddaughter Erika with a project at her home...

John Blair Mitchell Sr. May 2, 1940 – June 19, 2026

John Blair Mitchell Sr. was born in Roanoke, Virginia, to Charles Manning Mitchell and Anna Louise Bell Mitchell, and grew up alongside his cherished sister, Jean Mitchell Carpenter. For more than fifty years, he shared a devoted and joyful marriage with his beloved wife, Maude Wynn Myers Mitchell.

John earned a notable place in local history as a member of the first graduating class of Cave Spring High School. He continued his education at the Virginia Military Institute, where he balanced the demands of cadet life with playing football and completing a B.S. in Civil Engineering. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army and served in the elite Special Forces.

Following his military service, John became the Res...

Ronald Lee Paxton, 59, of Covington, died Thursday, June 18, 2026 at his residence.

He was born October 9, 1966, a son of the late Howard “Junie” Paxton, Jr. and Brenda Lockhart Paxton.

Ronnie served 25 years with the Clifton Forge Police Department, retiring as Lieutenant in charge of investigations. He was also a retired member of Boiling Springs Fire and Rescue, where he served in many capacities. Following his retirement, he went to work for Garten Trucking.

Surviving is his wife, Sandra Thompson Paxton of Covington; a son, Ben (Keryston) Paxton of Covington; one daughter, Samantha (Jackson) Paxton-Clayton of Radford; three grandchildren, Abel Stanley, Layne Mohler, and Avadella Stanley-Paxton; one brother, Dwaine Paxton of Covington; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and one brother-in-law, A.J. (Tonya) Wolfe of Covington.

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Sadie Ellen Martin Fisher, age 94, of Covington, died Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at her residence. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and have been entrusted to Arritt Funeral Home.

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