Obituaries

Annie Mae Dowdy Rose, 87, of Rockingham County and formerly of Nellysford, Manassas and Covington, died Monday, July 1, 2024 at The Phoenix Assisted Living Community in Rockingham County.

Mrs. Rose was born October 7, 1936, in Buckingham County, a daughter of the late Horace Christian and Elsie Florine Griffith Dowdy. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, Madison Carter; and one sister and brother-in-law, Peggy and Pete Carlin.

Annie Mae graduated from George Washington High School in 1955 and from Ferrum Junior College in 1957, where she met the love of her life, John “Bob” Robert Rose, Sr. The two then transferred to Emory & Henry College, where Annie Mae graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Education in 1959. She began her professional career as a Business Education teacher at Glade Spring High School before movi...

Ralph Garnett Kelley Sr., age 83, of Covington, passed away due to an unfortunate accident on Wednesday, June 26, 2024.

Mr. Kelley was born on March 14, 1941 in Williamson, WV.  He was the son of the late Edward and Velvie Wright Kelley; other than his parents he was preceded in death by an infant brother, Carlos Elwood Kelley.

Mr. Kelley attended Covington High School and Dabney S. Lancaster Community College, he served in the United States Navy from 1958 to 1962, he retired from Westvaco with forty-one years of service, and served as a volunteer at WECCU (Jackson River Credit Union) for thirty-two years. Ralph was also a member of the Callaghan Ruritan Club and he enjoyed volunteering at local churches as a Sunday school teacher and a song leader.

Ralph enjoyed attending auction sales, flea markets, buying, selling ...

Franklin Delanor Haynes, Sr., age 86 of Covington, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, June 23, 2024, at his residence.

He was born February 12, 1938, to the late Edgar John Haynes and Maude T. Haynes. He is survived by his wife, Ella M. Haynes and was employed with Hercules Corporation and was also, a general contractor for many years.

Frank was an avid hunter and fisherman and spent time in the outdoors with family and friends; both those he shared with for many years and many he discipled through common love for God’s creations.

In addition to his beloved wife Ella of Covington for sixty-four years, he leaves to mourn his loss, a son, Frankie Haynes, Jr. and wife Rhonda of Covington; a daughter, Angie Lomasney and husband Mike of Covington; a daughter, Missie Persinger and husband Jeff of Clifton Forge; ...

John Darrell Perkins, 63, of Eagle Rock, died Monday, June 17, 2024 at his residence.

John was born July 9, 1960 in Alleghany County, a son of the late William J. Perkins and Doris Simmons Perkins Hartman of Covington. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his brother, Andy Perkins.

Mr. Perkins retired from Altec in 2022. He loved riding his Harley Davidson and classic cars.

In addition to his mother, he survived by his sweetheart of 22 years, Teresa Gunter Thomas of Eagle Rock; a daughter, Jenna Perkins of Roanoke; two bonus children, Kasey Whitaker of Daleville, Dustin (Ashely) Thomas of Roanoke; one sister, Beckey (Mike) Dabbs of Covington; one brother, Billy Perkins of Salem; grandchildren, Natalie Whitaker, Chelsie Whitaker, Julie Whitaker, Colton Thomas, and Reagan Thomas; and number of nieces and nephews.

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Clinton Maxwell Meadows, age 40, of Covington, died Saturday, June 15, 2024, at Lewis-Gale Medical Center in Salem.

Clinton was born, August 3, 1983, in Michigan; and was preceded in death by his mother, the late Yvonne Lynn Meadows Rose.

He worked for a number of years for various contractors.

Other than his father, Justin Shankle of Alabama, Clinton is survived by his companion, Joy King of Covington and her daughter, KateLynn Prim of Covington; an uncle, Freddie Meadows of Wise; an aunt, Sarah Wegienka of Michigan; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Abiding with the wishes of Clinton, his body has been cremated and a memorial service will be held at a later time.

Arritt Funeral Home has been entrusted with handl...

Melissa Tucker “Puddles” Dunsmore, 52, of Covington, died Friday, June 14, 2024 at her residence.

Melissa was born November 12, 1971, in Covington, a daughter of George and Eve Higgins Tucker of Covington. She was preceded in death by her beautiful daughter, Amber Paige Dunsmore; a half-sister, Rose Simmons; and her best friend, Lorette Dunsmore.

She worked for many years as a CNA in the Alleghany Highlands. Melissa was truly one of a kind. She was loved and will be missed by many.

In addition to her parents, she is survived by her daughter, Danielle Kirk and her husband, James of White Sulphur Springs, WV; a son, Brandon Dunsmore of Lewisburg, WV; her boyfriend, Jay Kellison of Covington; two brothers, Henry Tucker, and David Tucker and his wife, Angel, all of Covington; a half-brother, Matt Sim...

Bonnie Mae Smith Neal, age 74, of Falling Spring, went to be with her Lord on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at her home, peacefully surrounded by her family.

Mrs. Neal was born January 26, 1950, in Falling Spring and was preceded in death by her parents, the late Phillip Johnson Smith and Edna Persinger Smith; her husband, Thomas Lynn Neal and her beloved “doggie daughter’, Morgan Le Fay.

Bonnie Mae was that “one-of-a-kind soul” who loved everyone who crossed her path, and each person she met loved her in return.  She enjoyed gardening, watching her hummingbirds and collecting destination spoons. Most of all she loved her family and devoted her life to her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a wonderful ‘Mom’ and ‘Nana’. We will carry her memory with us always, cherishing the moments shared, and she will forever be deeply missed.

Dreama Bush Carson, 77, of Covington, died Saturday, June 8, 2024 at Carillion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke.

Dreama was born October 2, 1946, in Alleghany County, a daughter of the late Albert Ray Bush, and Frances Whiting Bush of Covington. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by a sister, Deborah Bush Stinnett.

Mrs. Carson was a homemaker who cherished her time with her family and loved being outdoors.

In addition to her mother, she is survived by her husband, Finnie Carson, Sr. of Covington; a daughter, Kim Callahan and her husband, David of Covington; two sons, Finnie Carson, Jr. of Covington and Brian Carson and his wife, Michelle of New Jersey; seven grandchildren; Kahla Adams, Chandale, Brianna Sizemore, Austin Carson, Dylan Carson, Ariel Chappel and Brooke Nolan, 12 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; thr...

Juanita Steele Pulley, 58 of Covington, died Monday, June 3, 2024 at LewisGale-Alleghany Hospital in Low Moor.

Mrs. Pulley was born December 20, 1965 in Richmond, a daughter of the late William Paul Steele, Jr. and Jean Walton Brady.

Survivors include her husband, Lorenza Darrell Pulley of Covington; one brother, Greg Steele of Covington; two sisters, Denise Steele and Renee Steele; and number nieces and nephews.

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

A memorial service will be planned for a later date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Arritt Funeral Home.

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

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Deborah Sizemore Wolfe, 68, of Covington, died Saturday, June 1, 2024 at her residence.

Debbie was born March 20, 1956, in Alleghany County, a daughter of the late R.C. and Marrietta Bowles Sizemore. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Heather Arritt; one brother, Rodney Sizemore; and a niece, Candice Sizemore.

She was employed at LewisGale-Alleghany Hospital in the Medical Records department for over 20 years. She was a member of Covington Bible Church and was a loving caretaker to all of her family and close friends.

Survivors include her husband, Harry “Bub” Wolfe, Jr.; four children, April (Bobby) Smith of Covington, Matt (Jennifer) Arritt of Staunton, Amanda (Scotty) Scott of Covington, and Sarah (Johnny) Quinlin of Roanoke; six grandchildren, Dakota Smith, Hunter Smith, Taylor Scott, ...

Betty Alfred Wright, age, 80, of Alleghany County, died Saturday, June 1, 2024, at the Cardinal Senior Living Center in Bedford.

Betty was born July 3, 1943, in Alleghany County, a daughter of the late Eddie Ray Alfred, Sr. and Beatrice Smith Alfred. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne A. Wright, Sr.; and three brothers.

Survivors include a son, Wayne (Debbie) Wright, Jr. of Vinton; one daughter, Tressa Webb of Pulaski; four grandchildren, Dexter Wright, Michael (Sherry) Orange, Samantha Orange, Sarah (Greg) Justis; three great-grandchildren, Camden Orange, Carlee Orange, and Kaidence Justis; three brothers, Ronnie Alfred from WV, Tommy Alfred of Covington and Wendall Alfred of Delaware.

A graveside service will be held, Thursday, June 6, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Alleghany Memorial Park o...

Robert George “Bob” Steele, 74, of Conyers, GA and formerly of Covington, died Saturday, May 31, 2024 at Piedmont Newton Hospital in Covington, GA.

Bob was born February 18, 1950, in Covington, a son of the late Clayton and Beulah Hooker Steele.

Survivors include his sisters, Patricia Bowles of Covington and Sandra Martin of Conyers, GA; several nieces and nephews, including Billy (Kristi) Martin of Covington, GA, Sandra (John) Flock of Hattiesburg, MS, and Brandi Bowles of Covington.

A graveside funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2024 at Alleghany Memorial Park. The family will receive their friends from 12:30 to 1:30 PM at Arritt Funeral Home on Thursday.

Arritt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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