Obituaries

Patricia Adair Howard Andrews, 91, of Covington, died Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at her residence.

Mrs. Andrews was born April 5, 1933 in Alleghany County, a daughter of the late Aruthur P. Howard and Velma Snyder Howard. In addition to her parents, she was preceded by her husband Richard S. Andrews; two daughter, Carolyn Dockery; Linda Howard; one son, Julian Howard; one grandson, Bryan Dockery; and four sisters and one brother.

Patricia worked in maintenance for the Arlington School District for many years. In her spare time, she enjoyed being with her family and friends.

Surviving is one daughter, Cynthia Crowder and her husband, Greg, of Covington; one son, Anthony Howard of Winchester; five grandchildren; two great grandchildren; one sister, Bertha Howard of Clifton Forge; one brother, Carton Howard of Texas; and a number...

James Robert Leslie, 71, of Covington, died Monday, July 15, 2024, at LewisGale-Alleghany Regional Hospital in Low Moor.

Mr. Leslie was born December 15, 1953, in San Diago, California, a son of the late Walter Leslie and Barbara Biggs Leslie of Florida.  In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Diana Leslie; daughter, Theresa Rudd; an infant sister and two brothers.

James was a certified welder for many years.

In addition to his mother, survivors include his wife, Charlotte Losh Leslie of Covington; six children; and number of grandchildren.

In keeping with his wishes his body has been cremated.

A memorial service is planned for a later date.

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Dennis Neal Loan, 63, of Newport News and formerly of Covington, died Monday, July 15, 2024 at Riverside Regional Hospital in Newport News.

Dennis was born August 13, 1960, a son of the late Homer R. Loan, Sr. and Dorothy Downey Loan. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Homer, “Butch” Loan, Jr.

Mr. Loan attended Chowan University where he obtained an associates degree in photography. He worked at Newport News Shipbuilding for over 40 years. In his spare time, he loved to compete in chili cook-offs and was an avid golfer.

Survivors include a sister, Barbara Rose of Covington; one brother, Wayne Loan of Houston, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews.

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

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Nancy Alice Alford of Covington, age 84, died Sunday, July 14, 2024 at the Brian Center Rehabilitation & Nursing Care facility. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and Arritt Funeral Home have been entrusted with handling her arrangements.

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Gladys Rock Bates, 83, of Gloucester and formerly of Covington, died Saturday, July 13, 2024 at Riverside Walter Reed Hospital in Gloucester.

Mrs. Bates was born February 7, 1941, in Alleghany County, a daughter of the late Joe and Martha Hepler Rock. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin Eugene Bates; one brother, Joe W. Rock, Sr.; and one sister, Joyce Shires.

Gladys was a very giving person – spending her life as a homemaker to her children and grandchildren. She loved to read, most often from the Bible, as well as playing computer games in her spare time. She was a member of Dunlap Christian Church and the Northampton Church of Christ for many years, serving as her Bible class secretary and teaching vacation Bible school.

Surviving are her two daughters, Donna Shiflett and her husb...

David Louis Catlett, 84, of Covington, died Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at LewisGale-Alleghany Hospital in Low Moor.

David was born June 5, 1940, in Alleghany County, a son of the late Louis “Bill” Catlett and Hattie Boggs Catlett. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Angela Yvonne Catlett; two brothers, Billy T. Catlett and George F. Catlett; a sister, Rachel Catlett Smith; and a sister-in-law, Linda Frame.

Mr. Catlett loved photography, history and genealogy and was member of the Sons of the Confederacy as well as the Alleghany Geneological Society.

Surviving is his wife of 64 years, Miriam Smith Catlett of Covington; a daughter, Susan Elmore and her husband, Mark, of Clifton Forge; a son, David L. Catlett, Jr. of Covington; seven grandchildren, Richard Hoke, Jr., Chistopher Hoke, Patrick Hoke...

Linda Banker Jennings, 69, of Covington, died Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at the Brain Center-Alleghany in Low Moor.

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

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Richard Lee Armentrout, 69, of Covington, died Monday, July 8, 2024 at his residence.

Richard was born March 2, 1955 in Alleghany County, a son of the late Vadis Armentrout and Madeline “Maggie” Tingler Armentrout Simmons. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Ernest Armentrout, Sr.; a special aunt and best friend, Arletta Griffith; and a niece, Carly Simmons.

Mr. Armentrout worked for many years as an operator at Hooker Furniture in Roanoke. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting and trout fishing, tinkering with muscle cars, playing slot machines, and a good game of poker.

Survivors include his brother, Ricky Simmons and his wife, Devin; his step-father, Robert Simmons and his wife Margaret, all of Covington; a niece who was raised in the home, Amanda Silman and her husband, Matt of Hot Spring...

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...

Margaret Pullen Phillips, age 87, of Covington, died Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at her residence.

Ms. Phillips was born March 4, 1937, in Covington to her parents, the late Lewis Raymond Pullen, Melvina Carter Pullen and her husband, Eugene O. Phillips.

She was the Commissioner of Revenue for Covington for a number of years and a member of Temple Baptist Church where she served on the choir and was a Sunday school teacher. Ms. Phillips was a member of B.P.W. of Covington.

Surviving are two daughters, Debra Buckner, and her husband Darin, Sr. of Covington and Denise Ortiz of Lake City, Florida; five grandchildren, Darin Buckner, Jr., and his fiancé McKenzie Allgood, Lindsey Mancini, and her husband Kenneth, Elizabeth Gerlach, and her husband Tim, Carrie Davis, and her fiancé, Gabrial Alejandro Enjamio and Carlos Ortiz; one great...

Larry David Hollifield, 73, of Covington and formerly of Aylett, died Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at his residence.

He was born March 1, 1951 in Greensboro, NC, a son of the late L.E. Hollifield, Jr. and Leona Cobb Hollifield. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Donald Hollifield.

Larry was the owner of Reliable Mechanical Incorporated in Gloucester for many years.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Karen Vienneau Hollifield of Covington; two-step sons, Ted Worlock and Paul Worlock; one sister, Carol Haithcock and her husband, Orvis; one special niece, Briana Brown; one special great-niece, Jordan Pickard; and one special great-great-nephew, Hayes Pickard and along with other  nieces and nephews.

In keeping with his wishes, his body has bee...

Gladys Elizabeth Johnson, age 98 of Covington, departed this life on Monday, July 1, 2024 at the Brian Center Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Facility in Low Moor.

Ms. Gladys was born, May 9, 1928, in Oriskany, and was preceded in death by her mother, the late Bertha Marylin Johnson; one sister and two brothers.

She grew up in Covington, working as a housekeeper as an adult for the David Burrows family in Roanoke who held a special place in her heart. Ms. Gladys was an active member of the church she truly cherished, Pine Street Baptist Church for most of her adult life. She attended church services regularly, Sunday School and B.T.U. She served on the usher board and was a member of the Loyal Daughter’s Ministry. She really enjoyed going to the Senior Center several days a week and was member of the Red Hat Association. She was a very friendly, strong and independent la...