Obituaries

Steven Berkley Miller, 71, of Covington, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family and friends on Saturday, September 21, 2024.

He was born March 8, 1953, in Alleghany County, a son of the late Maynard E. Miller, Ballard J. Davis, and Irene Plott Miller Davis. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Hettie Blakley Miller; two sisters; and five brothers.

Stevie was employed as a dump truck driver with GD&L, LLC for many years. In his spare time, he enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, playing softball, watching the Washington Commanders, and anything that allowed him to be outside.

Survivors include his two daughters, Crystal Miller and Kayla Smith and her husband, Ryan, all of Covington; six grandchildren, Noah Hall (Mikayla Ginger), Isaiah Butler, Elizabeth Butler (Waylon Campbell...

Paul Gary Redman, 68, of Covington, died Saturday, September 21, 2024 at his residence.

He was born August 17, 1956 in Alleghany County, a son of the late Rachel Hubbard Redman and Paul C. Redman of Clifton Forge; in addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his wife, Anita Hepler Redman, in March 2024; and one sister, Donna Redman.

Gary was self-employed logger for many years. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed playing the lottery, watching racing, and tending to his garden.

In addition to his father, he is survived by his two daughters, Jennifer Hicks and Jessica (Kevin) Carson; one son, Joshua (Candice) Redman all of Covington; nine grandchildren, Austin Patton, Abby Hicks, Landon Shey Patton, Paul Hicks, Jr., Nicole Carson, Kaiden Carson, Waylon, Madison and Lucus Redman; two great-grandchildren, Axel and Ace...

Ernest Parker Bailey, age 86, of Alleghany County, died Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at Lewis-Gale Hospital in Salem.

Ernest was born January 10, 1938, in the county of Alleghany, and was preceded in death by his parents, the late James Lacy Bailey and Nora Persinger Bailey, a son, Ernest Parker (Buddy) Bailey, Jr., siblings, Nadine Tucker, Doc Bailey, Alice Depriest, Alfred, Arnold, Robert, Janice Bailey and Jenny Kit.

Surviving are Claude (Michelle) Bailey of Manning, S.C., Frances (Rocky) Hicks of Covington and Mickey (Dawn) Bailey of Summerville, SC.; four grandchildren, Candice (Robert) Howard, Rocky Hicks II and Alisha Brookman, Brittany and Austin Bailey; eight great-grandchildren, Kimberly (Brent) Graham, Amber Howard, Sara Howard, and Bryce “Billy Goat” O’Conner, Trey Hicks, Savanna Hicks, Emilee Bush, Wyatt Bailey, Amelia Bailey; three great-great grandchildren,...

Isabelle Darlene Hepler Gaines, 64, of Covington, died Sunday, September 15, 2024 at LewisGale Medical Center in Salem.

Darlene was born October 16, 1959, in Alleghany County, a daughter of the late Thomas P. and Isabelle Paxton Hepler. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Bobby W. Gaines, Sr.; and a niece, Angie Nicely.

Darlene was a consummate homemaker and loved cooking and sewing for her family.

Survivors include her daughter, Amanda (Kenny) Clifford; a son, Bobby (Trista) Gaines, Jr.; a granddaughter, Kayleigh Isabelle Gaines; one sister, Kathy (Wade) Givens; two brothers, Larry (Bonnie) Hepler and Gary (Kim) Hepler, all of Covington; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held Thursday, September 19, 2024 at 2:00 PM in the chapel of Arritt Fun...

Bennie “Ben” Leroy Wolfe, 84, of Covington, died Saturday, September 14, 2024 at the Woodlands Health and Rehab Center in Clifton Forge.

Ben was born April 9, 1940, in Alleghany County, a son of the late Bennie Roy and Annie Bess Wolfe. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Floyd Wolfe; and two sisters, Susie Banker and Clara Smith.

Survivors include his nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at 12:00 PM,  in the Arritt Funeral Home chapel with the Pastor Stan Sizemore officiating. The family will receive their friends from 11:00 AM until service time.

Interment will be made in Alleghany Memorial Park.

Active pallbearers will be Eugene Wolfe, Dann...

Jasper Daniel Crawley, Sr., age 65, of Covington, died Sunday, September 8, 2024, surrounded by his family and friends, following an extended illness.

Jasper was born April 29, 1959, in Covington, and was preceded in death by his father, the late, William K. Crawley, Sr.; a son, Jasper D. Crawley, Jr. "Danny"; two sisters, Linda Crawley and Regina Johnson Hunter; one brother, William Crawley, Jr.

For thirty years, he was employed with Hammond-Mitchell Inc, General Contractors as a laborer. JC, as he was affectionally called, loved to do yard work and his favorite NFL football team was the Washington Commanders.

Surviving is his mother, Selena Wilkerson Crawley of Covington, two sisters, Juanita (Kenneth) Helton and Teresa Crawley Ray both of Covington; one brother, George Crawley of Covington; a host of special nieces, nep...

John William Graham, Jr., 68, died Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at his residence.

Mr. Graham was born August 12, 1956, in Alleghany County, a son of the late John W. Graham, Sr. and Frances Mae Montgomery Graham. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Stacey Webb Harless; and a sister, Deborah Morgan.

John served his country in the Virginia National Guard. He was employed by Webb Plumbing, Heating, and Air for many years as an HVAC technician. In his spare time, John loved drag racing, hunting, and being with his family. He was baptized and accepted Jesus Christ into his life on March 10, 2024.

Surviving is his wife, Peggy Broughfman Graham; two daughters, Melisha (Mike) Mundy and Samantha (Alex) Franson, all of Covington; seven grandchildren, Hailey Gibson, Autumn Mundy, Michael Mundy, Makenzi...

Virginia Thompson Irvin Biggs, age 87, of Covington, died Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at the Bath Community Hospital in Hot Springs.

Virginia was born January 19, 1937, in Halifax County and was preceded in death by her parents, the late Olin Madison Thompson and Thelma Graham Thompson; her first husband, Boyd C. Irvin, her second husband, Timothy Biggs; two sons, Joseph Irvin and Richard Irvin.

Her favorite past times was cooking for her family, listening to music and just spending quality time with family.

Surviving are three daughters, Betty (Perry) Mabry of Covington, Angie Perry of Glasgow and Marsha Sargent of Covington; a son, Frank Irvin of Covington; one brother, Van Thompson of Hot Springs; sixteen grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and a host of family members.

A graveside service at C...

Martha Ann Bowers, 65, of Covington, passed away on August 30, 2024 at her residence.

Ann was born on March 12,1959 to Martha Lindsay Campbell and James Allen Campbell in Alleghany County.  Ann graduated from Alleghany High School in 1977.

Ann was a stay-at-home mother where she took loving care of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ann married Gary Bowers on October 9,1976. In her spare time, she liked to gamble, cook, quilting, sewing and playing bingo.

Ann and Gary Bowers had three children, Shannon Weikle (Joe), Constance Dudley (Jason), Gary Allen Bowers (Carolina).  She also had five grandchildren, Shania Ward (Travis), Landon Bowers, Carlea Weikle, Jake Dudley and Kacy Dudley; as well as two great-grandchildren, Jack and Austin Coats.

Ann w...

Gloria Jean Campbell, age 75, of Covington, went home to be with her Lord, Thursday, August 22, 2024, at the Alleghany Health and Rehab in Clifton Forge.

Gloria was born July 1, 1949 in Lynchburg and was preceded in death by her late parents, Wesley R. Campbell and Edith Lawhorne Mann; and a son Kirk A. Bailey.

Surviving are two sisters, Elaine Billy Price of Covington and Brenda (Larry) Clark of Rustburg and a number of nieces and nephews.

In keeping with her wishes her body has been cremated and a private service will be held at a later date.

Arritt Funeral Home have been entrusted to handle her arrangements.

Friends wishing to send tributes online may do so at arrittfuneralhome.com.

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Irene Payne Newcomb Hyre, age 84, of Clifton Forge, died August 19, 2024, at the Woodland Heath & Rehab Center, in Clifton Forge.

Irene was born, June 16, 1940 and was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence Newcomb and Lettie Sloan Newcomb; her first husband, Buel Fauber and her second husband, William Hyre; two brothers Clarence “Pedro” Newcomb and Millard Newcomb.

For many years, she was a CNA at the Western State Hospital in Staunton.

She leaves to mourn her loss a cousin, Paige (Larry) Morgan and Nick Morgan all of Covington.

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

A private service will be held at a later date.

Arritt Funeral Home is in charge of her arrangements.

Robert Wayne Childs, 81, of Clifton Forge, died Saturday, August 17, 2024 at his residence.

Robert was born June 12, 1943, in Botetourt County, a son of the late Daniel Lewis Childs and Hollie Scott Childs. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Jimmy Childs and Dewey Childs.

Mr. Childs was known by many through his work as a door greeter at the Walmart in Covington.

Survivors include his wife, Tatyana N. Childs, of Clifton Forge; and numerous other family members including several cousins and many friends.

In keeping with his wishes, his body has been cremated.

A memorial service will be held Friday, August 23, 2024 at 3:00 PM in the Arritt Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Bill Gilliland officiating. The family will rece...