Obituaries

James Lee “Butmore” Helton, Sr., age 80, of Covington, departed this life on Friday, August 16, 2024, at the Alleghany Health and Rehab in Clifton Forge.

James Lee was born June 17, 1944, in Covington, he was preceded in death by his parents, the late William “Peewee” Helton and Agnes Johnson Helton; two brothers, William J. Helton and Mickey Helton; two sisters, Frances Hillman and Marilyn Helton; and a son-in-law, Joseph Bowins, Jr.

Affectionally called “Butmore”, grew up in Covington, attending Watson High School, graduating in 1961, he was known for his sense of humor, he loved listening to music and enjoyed all sports. He joined Pine Street Baptist Church at an early age. His former employer was the CSX Railroad and the Greenbrier Hotel and until his retirement he was a bartender at the Homestead Hotel in Hot Springs.

Newton Rockoy Green, 83, of Covington, VA died Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at his residence after telling his family on Friday, August 9, 2024 that he would be leaving them soon.

He was born January 10, 1941 in Ocho Rios, Jamaica to the late Noel Green and Iris Mesquita Green.  Newton was confirmed at St. John’s Anglican Church.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his first wife Viola Raphalene Green, his fathers-in-law and mothers-in-law, Carl and Mabel Haynes and Ralph and Viola Burks, siblings Audrey Chambers, Roy Green, Dennis Green, Pearline Boswell, and Bert Green; sons Deno Green, Teddy Green, and Noah Green, and brothers-in-law Charles Haynes and Ralph (Sonny) Burks.

Newton is survived by his wife of 38 years, Mazie Green; sons Paul Green, Newton Green, Jr., Jonathan Green, Brendan Green, and Isa...

Judy Kay Childs Simmons, age 77, of Roanoke, died Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at the Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke.

Judy was born, November 8, 1946, in Alleghany County, and was preceded in death by her parents, the late Edward Childs and Margaret Miley Childs; and her husband, Charles Simmons.

She was employed by the U.S. Forest Service in the maintenance department. Judy was a former member of the Stuarts Draft Volunteer Rescue Ladies Auxiliary; a member of the Shenandoah Heights Baptist Church serving on the Women of Mission Ministry and was a member of the Woodman Life organization.

Surviving are two daughters, Sandra (Fred) Ogle, of Lyndhurst and Margaret Tucker of Roanoke; one son, Donald Tucker of Roanoke; four grandchildren, Brandon Tucker, (Melissa Swearengin), Gypsy Tucker (Cody Graves), Ashley Spar...

Murray Hammond Hutchens, Jr., age 77, of Covington, died Monday, August 12, 2024, at his residence in Covington.

Murray was born, July 2, 1947, in Covington, and was preceded in death by his parents, the late Murray H. Hutchens, Sr. and Evelyn Cook Hutchens.

Surviving are his friends in the Alleghany Highlands that called him Hutch.

Murray grew up in Covington, and for over thirty years worked at Mead Westvaco as a Millwright and was a member of the Covington Moose Lodge #610.  He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam era.

In keeping with his wishes his body will be cremated.

A private memorial service will be held on a later date at Alleghany Memorial Park.

I...

Karen June Craft, age 68, Clifton Forge, died Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at Sharon Lane.

Karen was born, June 13, 1956 and was preceded in death by her parents Harry Craft and Vivian Grace Knick Clark, a sister, Grace Craft and a brother Jimmy ‘Bo’ Clark.

Karen was a retired truck driver with Acuty Brands Corporation and she loved taking pictures and planting flowers.

Surviving are her daughters, Karen (Jerry) Hepler of Crows, Amanda Voorhees and her finance John Selleck of Clifton Forge; seven grandchildren and ten great-great grandchildren; two sisters, Tammy (Glenn) Thomas of Selma, Brenda Craft of Low Moor; three brothers, Donald (Michele) Clark of Gallatin, Tennessee of, Richard Craft of Eagle Rock and Henry (Karen) Clark of Clifton Forge; nieces, nephews and a host of family members.

Our precious little angel, Casey Lane Cutlip, beloved infant son of Allyson Cutlip Leggett of Covington, went to be with our Lord on Monday, August 5, 2024 at his home.

Casey was preceded in death by his maternal great-grandparents, Bernard and Evelyn Matheney and Tinker Grimm.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by a sister, Carson G. Pritt; one brother, Jacob L. Pritt; his maternal grandmother, Robbin (Billy) Oliver, all of Covington; maternal grandfather, Jeremy (Julia) Cutlip of Mountain Grove; maternal great-grandparents, Clyde and Jean Cutlip of Mountain Grove and Jim and Connie Oliver of Covington; two aunts, Autumn (Thomas) Randozzo, and Blayne Oliver; one uncle, Blake Oliver, all of Covington; cousins Gavin, Harper, Clayton, Sawyer, Isaac, Maverick, Anayiah and Blair.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday...

Ronald William Holloway, Sr., age 77, of Covington, died August 1, 2024 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke.

He was born on September 28, 1946, in Covington, the youngest son to the late Ralph N. Holloway and Elizabeth Davis Holloway.

In addition to his parents, Ronald was preceded in death by one sister, Dorothy A. Sharp; two brothers, Sherman N. Holloway, Sr. and Lee Wayne Holloway; two sister-in-law’s, Shirley W. Fleming and Rosemary Wooding-Puryear; and one brother-in law, Julius Norwood Puryear.

Ronnie attended public schools and graduated from Covington High School in 1966. In 1964 he became the first black student-athlete at Covington High School when he transferred from Watson High School.  While there he excelled both on the football field and the basketball court. Some of his other achievements ...

Arthur Basil Bryan, 77, of Covington, died Thursday, August 1, 2024 at LewisGale-Alleghany Hospital in Low Moor.

Mr. Bryan was born June 13, 1947, in Kingston, Jamaica, a son of the late Caryle Bryan and Sybil Paisley Hamilton. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his step-father, William Hamilton; three sisters, Norma Anderson, Carmen Gabriel, and Elaine Smalls; and one brother, Evol Bryan.

Arthur emigrated to the United States in 1972, embarking on a professional career that would span the better part of five decades between The Homestead and Greenbrier resorts. He began his career as a waiter at the Omni Homestead, where his magnetic personality and attention to detail would see him promoted to various other positions, culminating in being named the Food & Beverage Manager in the years before his retirement. He was an avid golfer, gardener, fish...

Clarence Edward Rector, Jr., 75, of Covington, Virginia, passed on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at LewisGale Hospital Alleghany in Low Moor, Virginia.

Clarence, affectionately called Edward, “Heck” and Rector by family and friends, was born on Tuesday, August 17, 1948, in Davidson County, North Carolina, to the late Clarence and Esther Mae Baucom Rector.

He graduated from Dunbar High School in Lexington, North Carolina in 1966. Heck worked as a Bellman at The Homestead 1766 Resort (now, the Omni Homestead Resort) in Hot Springs, Virginia, until retiring after 40 years of service. He played and enjoyed watching golf on TV and discussing politics.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Torrence Denard Bethea, and his brother-in-law, Louis Sheffield.

Clarence will be remembered and survived by thre...

Juanita “Pete” Harris Wright 75, of Covington, died Thursday, July 25, 2024 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

Mrs. Wright was born October 9, 1948 in Alleghany County, a daughter of the late Roy Harris and Lucille “Polly” Haynes Harris. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John Henry Wright; one son, John W. Wright; three sisters, Sarah Harris, Dorothy Keith, and Phyllis Nida; and two brothers, Vernon Harris and Tom Harris.

Pete loved being with her family.

Survivors include her daughter, Sandra Goad of Roanoke; two sons, Terry Wright and Melissa Carson of Jacksonville, FL and Randy Wright of Upper Marlboro, MD.; six grandchildren, Curtis (Samantha) Wright, Kelly (Justin) Foster, Kyleigh (Jonathan) Wright, Crystal (Andrew) Tyree, Emily Bounsong, and Elizabeth Bounsong; a number of grea...

Jennifer Herstine Abbott, 51, of Covington, died Saturday July 21, 2024, at her residence.

She was born January 2, 1973 in Roanoke, a daughter of  Allan P. White and Susan Simpson Mclean.

Surviving is a daughter, Halley Herstine of Covington; a son Nicholas Herstine of Covington six grandchildren; and one sister, Becky White of Roanoke.

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

A private service will be held at later date.

Arrangements are being handled by Arritt Funeral Home.

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

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Betty Groves Wiseman, age 89, of Covington, died Friday, July 19, 2024, at the Brian Center Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Facility in Low Moor.

Betty was born February 18, 1935, in Covington, and was preceded in death by her parents, the late Arlin James Groves and Grace Robinson Thompson; her husband, Perry A. Wiseman; a brother, James Groves and a sister, Judy Elmore.

She was a active member of Faith Baptist Church until her illness.

Surviving is her daughter, Linda Cartwright and her husband Garth; two grandchildren, Lindsay Cartwright and Melanie (Barry) Schell of Covington; four great grandchildren, Carter, Oakley, Brycen and Parker; three sisters, Peggy Landrum, JoAnn (Charles) Slayton, and Linda (Chub) Lemons all of Covington; a niece, Kim Vass of Covington; and other nieces, nephews and Wiseman family.