Obituaries

Alyene Bush Whitt, age 69, of Covington, died Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at her residence.

Alyene was born, February 11, 1956, in Virginia, and was preceded in death by her parents, the late Frances Thomas Bush and Margie Hayden Bush.

For a large portion of Alyene's life, she was employed at Walmart and she adored her family, especially the grandchildren.

Surviving to mourn her loss is her son, Donald (Jeannie) Whitt, II of Covington; her daughter, Candice (Josh) Redman of Covington; a step-daughter, Charity (Floyd) Wolfe of Clintonwood; eight grand-children; Donald Whitt III, Waylon Redman, Madison Redman, Lucas Redman, Kody Whitt, Justin Wolfe, Dylan Wolfe, Gracie Wolfe; one sister, Lisa Woolfrey of Manassas; four brothers, Harry and Wallace Bush of Spotsylvania County, William Bush of Fredericksburg, Fred Bush of La...

Catherine Sue Blakey, 63, of Cincinnati, OH and formerly of Covington, passed away on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center.

She was born March 15, 1962, in Covington, a daughter of the late Dorothy Mae Reid Blakey and Willie M. Blakey, Sr. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Marshall Blakey, Claude Blakey, and Willie Blakey, Jr.; and one nephew, Garry Hunter, Jr.

Cathy is survived by five sisters, Dora Hunter, Debbie Chambers, Claudette Blakey, Teresa Hunter, Camella Johnson; four brothers, Tyrone Blakey, Robert Blakey, Eddie Blakey, and Mickey Blakey; many nieces and nephews; and the world’s best little dog, Toby.

A private service at Cedar Hill Cemetery will be held at a later date.

...

Peggy Gobble Casey, age 67, of Covington, died Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Carillion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

Peggy was born, August 28, 1958, in Tennessee, and was preceded in death by her parents, the late James Gobble and Celia Lyons Gobble.

For many years she was employed as a CNA in various places; was a Activities Assistant at the Orchard View Nursing Home in Kingsport, Tennessee. She enjoyed wrestling, especially watching her favorite, “JEY USO” Yeetman.

Surviving to mourn her loss is a daughter, Miranda (Daniel) Jackson of Covington; a grandson, Julian Jackson of Covington; two brothers, Ricky (Karen) Gobble and Gene Gobble both of Kingsport, Tennessee; and many family members, nieces, nephews and cousins.

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

Paula Ann Pickwick, age 72, of Clifton Forge, died Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at Lewis-Gale Alleghany Hospital in Low Moor.

Paula was a librarian at the Alleghany Highlands Regional Library in Covington and enjoyed in her past time sewing and crafting.  She was a faithful member of Granbery Memorial United Methodist Church for many years.

She was born, May 1, 1953 in Pennsylvania to her mother, Dorothy Stafford Perry of Florida.  Surviving to mourn her loss is her mother: her daughter, Mandy (Matt) Kimmel of Lithia, Florida; her son, Tony (Sandra) Humphrey of Asihiya, Japan; three grandchildren, Kamryn and Landon Kimmel, Lily Humphrey; an aunt, Faye Stafford of Florida and other family members.

In keeping with her wishes her body has been cremated.

A community ...

Mr. Warren Douglas Kegley, 80, of Covington, died Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at his residence.

Born in Bluefield, W.Va., on November 14, 1944, he was the son of the late Joseph and Ruth Kegley.

Warren joined the United States Marine Corps at the age of 18 after leaving high school with his GED in 1964. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant and, during his 10-year Marine career, he earned the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, and earned a Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device Combat Action Ribbon. In the Marines, he completed Basic NCC Leadership School in 1964, Career Information and Counseling Course in 1967, and Drill Instructor School training in 1969. He served in Vietnam from August 6, 1967, through May 31, 1968. During his time as a Marine, his most-important and best loved job was th...

Her Journey

THE LIFE

Joyce Ann Helton, firstborn child to the late Reverend James Nathan Morgan, Jr. and Annie

Mae Scott Morgan, was born in Covington, Virginia, on June 3, 1947.

Joyce reunited with her Creator on September 9, 2025. She was preceded in death by her

sisters, Cynthia Edwards and Carol Sue Cassell, and a brother, Lawrence Morgan.

THE LESSON

Joyce received her spiritual foundation early in life as a member of Pine Street Baptist Church

and with guidance from her parents.

Joyce was educated in the Covington City School System and graduated from Watson High

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James R. “JR” Bowling, Jr., age 58, formerly of Covington, died Friday, September 5, 2025 at his residence.

JR was born on August 30, 1967, in Covington, a son of Edna L. Nicely of Roanoke and the late James R. Bowling, Sr.

In addition to his mother, he leaves to mourn his loss his wife of 14 years, Jessie Lea Bowling of Pulaski; three stepchildren, Derek Johnson, Devon Johnson, and Dana Johnson; his brother, Chad Bowling and wife, Michelle, of Covington; two nephews, Nicolas D. Bowling, and Bryan A. Bowling, both of Covington; and several other family members.

A friends and family gathering will be held on Thursday, September 11, 2025 from 5:00 to 6:00 PM at Arritt Funeral Home.

Friends wishing to send condolences to the family may do so at arrittfuneralhome.com.

...

Marvin Carrol Fridley, age 94, of Covington, died Friday, August 29, 2025, at the Springs Nursing and Rehab Center in Hot Springs.

Mr. Fridley was born, December 31, 1930 in Alleghany County and was preceded in death by his parents, the late Elma and James Fridley; his wife, Dessie Campbell Fridley; two brothers, Sebert and Olanto Fridley; two sisters, Frances Bowers and Lorean Tucker.

He leaves to mourn his loss a daughter, Brenda Thompson of Winchester; a step-son, Willie Mosely of Ohio; a sister, Loralee Wood of Covington; three grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; nieces Wanda Martin and Sheila Hobbs; nephews and other family members.

Mr. Fridley retired as a machinist from Ford Motor Company in 1992 after being employed for thirty-three years. He enjoyed motorcycles, loved riding bicycles and always watched Jimmy...

Jean Marie Miller King, age 66, of Covington, passed away Saturday, August 23, 2025, at her residence, following a ten-year battle with cancer.

She was born September 22, 1958, in New Jersey and was preceded by her parents, the late Irvin and Nellie Ely Miller; her husband, Joseph King; a son, Kenneth Swain; two brothers, John and Charles Foster; two sisters, Vicky Beamer and Peggy Miller.

Jean leaves to mourn her loss a son, Brian Swain and wife Donna; a daughter, Jodi King; four grandchildren, Kent and Brian Swain, Jr., Davien Moore and Braylon Godfrey; two great-grandchildren, Wyatt and Dawson Swain; a sister and sidekick, Ruth Leonard, all of Covington; several nieces, nephews, great- nieces and great- nephews; a special friend, Alvin Wright and many other family members.

She was an employee of Bacova Guild for many ye...

Helen “Chub” Vass Carter, age 94, of Alleghany County, died Thursday, August 21. 2025, at the Lewis-Gale Medical Center in Salem.

Helen was born, April 4, 1931, in Botetourt County, and was preceded in death by her parents, Jack W. Vass and Eva Blanche Loan Vass; her husband, Bill Mack Carter; a daughter, Lynn Smith; a son, David Carter; two grandsons, Brian and Michael Smith.

For many years “Chub” as she was affectionally called worked at the Rayon, Inc. in Covington and served faithfully as a member of Faith Baptist Church.

She leaves behind to mourn her loss a grandson, Ryan (Gabrielle) Carter of Midlothian; two-great grandsons, Rhett Carter of Midlothian and Nicholas Smith of Covington; two great-granddaughters, Grayce and Michayla Smith of Old Bridge, NJ; a sister, Darlene (Gene) Smith of Richmond; a daughter in law, ...

Wilfred “Willie” Ramos, 70, of Covington, Virginia, passed away on August 18 2025. Leaving behind a legacy of joy, warmth, and laughter. Born on January 1955 in Bronx, New York, Willie brought the vibrant spirit and infectious energy of his birthplace wherever he went. Willie, as he was affectionately known, was a shining light in the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing him. His journey on this earth was one marked by love, compassion, and unwavering faith in God. His passing has left a void in the hearts of his family, friends, and many more whose lives were touched by him. We ask that you remember him not for the way his life ended, but for the way it was lived, and for the profound impact it had on the lives of those who had the pleasure of knowing him.

A beloved husband, father, Popo, Willie is survived by his cherished wife Martha; his sons Joshua, Leeshane, and his daughter Harmony, his sister Nancy Ram...

Clinda “Joy” Spence Brackman Weeks, 75, of Covington, died Saturday, August 16, 2025 at the Brian Center – Alleghany in Low Moor.

She was born August 15, 1950, in Bluefield, WV, a daughter of the late Rev. Russell Spence and Reba Bondean Smith Spence. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Emory W. Brackman in 1996; her second husband, Lewis H. Weeks in 2016; a son, Stephen W. Brackman; and her mother and father-in-law, Clate and Glenna Brackman.

Joy devoted her life to serving the Alleghany Highlands community through a distinguished career in healthcare and cultural preservation. She retired from the DaVita Covington Dialysis Center in 2016, having previously contributed her skills at the Greenbrier Clinic, with Dr. Krishna Sankar, Ophthalmologist, at the Chesapeake & Ohio Historical Society in Clifton Forge, and for over two de...