Obituaries

Edgar Louis  McAllister (Mac) (Pete) , age 77, of Sanford, NC, and formerly of Covington, passed away on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at Central Carolina Hospital, Sanford, NC. He was the husband of Sharon Persinger McAllister.

Edgar was born September 29, 1946 in Alleghany County, the son of the late Walter L. and Minnie Rose McAllister.

He served in the US Army. He was employed with Hercules in Covington, VA and Allied Fibers/Honeywell in Moncure, NC where he retired after 30 years. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed camping and fishing with his family.

In addition to his wife Sharon of 53 years, he is survived by a daughter Robin Turner and husband, Johnny; son Michael McAllister and wife Jill; brother James McAllister and wife Linda; sister-in-law Cheryl McAllister; brother-in-law Sidney Kirby; sister Sharon Hayslett an...

Nancy Gibson Persinger, 89, of Colonial Heights and formerly of Covington, died Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at her residence.

Nancy was born June 21, 1934, in Alleghany County, a daughter of the late William O. and Louise Miller Gibson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil Douglas Persinger; a grandson, Matthew McMullen; a great-granddaughter, Natalie McMullen; and two sisters, Geraldine Wolfe, and Armelda Rucker.

Mrs. Persinger was a member of The Church of God. She was a loving mother and grandmother who enjoyed spending time with her family.

Survivors include her daughter, Chrystal (Frank) McMullen of Colonial Heights; one son, Allan Persinger of Danville; a grandson, Jonathan McMullen of Charles City; five great-grandchildren; and one brother, William Jewel Gi...

Amelia Jane Mitchem 75 of Covington, died Monday 27, 2024, Lewis-Gale Medical Center in Salem VA.

Arrangements are being handled by Arritt Funeral Home.

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Lee Allen Humphries, 75, of Covington, died Monday, May 27, 2024, at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC.

Lee was born May 17, 1949, in Alleghany County, a son of the late James R. and Malinda Crowder Humphries. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Marvin Humphries; and a sister, Betty Sue Tucker.

Mr. Humphries was a truck driver and warehouse supervisor for Dawn Distributors in Covington. He also worked for Hercules, Inc. for many years. He was a member of Cliffdale Christian Church and had also attended Highland Chapel Christian Church. He loved being outside and was an avid outdoorsman.

Surviving is his wife of 57 years, Elaine Bowen Humphries; a son, Jeff and Laura Humphries; two daughters, Debbie and John Sarver and Tammy and Dinkie Bogar, all of Covington; six grandchildren; f...

Theresa Mays Downer, 69, of Covington, died Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at her residence.

Theresa was born May 7, 1955, in Alleghany County, a daughter of late M.S. “Slick” Mays and Lois Dressler Mays.

Mrs. Downer retired in 2020 from the Virginia Department of Health as an inspector with thirty years of service. She was a member of the Mt. Carmel Methodist Church.

Surviving is her husband, James A. “Jim” Downer of Covington; one son, JD (Becky) Downer, II. of Covington; two daughters, Jennifer (Brad) Hicks of Covington, and Cassie (Shannon) Johnson of Danville, nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one sister, Sandra Watson of Covington; a niece, Michelle Clarke; five nephews, Matthew (Margee) Clarke, Dustin Clarke, Shane Clarke, Abe Clarke, and Thom (Jeff) Watson; one aunt, Helen Worsham of Arlington.

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Bertha Pritt “Bertie” Persinger, 84, of Covington, died Sunday, May 19, 2024 at her residence.

She was born September 23, 1939 in Alleghany County, a daughter of the late Gratton and Della Vance Pritt. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Harry Allen Persinger, Sr.; a granddaughter, Victoria “Tori” Swain; a son-in-law, Ernie Swain; six brothers, George Pritt, Ira Pritt, Clarence Pritt, Roy Pritt, Lawrence Pritt and Floyd Pritt.

Bertie worked as a sales clerk in the former Friedman’s Jewelry Store in Covington. Affectionately known as “Nana” to her family and close friends, her favorite past times were cooking and sewing, but most of all she loved to spoil all of her grand and great-great grandchildren.

Left to cherish her memory are three daughters; Teresa (David) Shifflett of Covington, Lo...

Clifton Anthony Ottaviano, Sr., 90, of Covington, died Saturday May 18, 2024, in the Kissito Brian Center-Alleghany in Low Moor.

He was born on October 31, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland, a son of the late Betty Hazel Ayers.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Clifton A. Ottaviano Jr., and one brother.

Clifton served his country in the United States Army.  He retired from Richmar Apartments in Owings Mills, Maryland as maintenance supervisor.

He survived by his wife, Betty Wright Ottaviano of Covington; one daughter, Cathy McElroy; two sons, Terry W. Mills, Jr of Seabeck, WA. and Larry Mills of York, Pennsylvania; nine grandchildren; and number of great grandchildren.

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

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It is with great sorrow, our family announces the unexpected passing of our brave son and soldier 1st Lt. in the United States Army Corp of Engineers, Edward Clarence Whitmore Jr., 35, of Lexington, Virginia. He sadly departed this world, on May 16, 2024, near his home in Lexington, Virginia. He was born July 4, 1988, to Edward Ira Whitmore and Helena Ann Bresock Lemon in Biloxi, Mississippi.

From an early age Ed exhibited unwavering devotion to his relationship with the Savior, and was known to repeatedly read and study his scriptures, completing the Book of Mormon fifteen times. Additionally, he earned his Duty to God Award, graduated from Seminary, and obtained his Eagle Scout Award. He was publicly acknowledged during his scouting program as saving a fellow scouts life.

While attending school, he honed his craft of physical exercise, by participating and gaining skil...

Patricia Knick “Pat” Cottrell, 77, of Covington, died Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at Centra Lynchburg General Hospital.

Pat was born September 2, 1946, in Covington, a daughter of the late Warnel Knick, Sr. and Carle Wilhelm Knick. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George Kenneth Cottrell; a step-son, John Kenneth Cottrell; and one brother, Walter H. Knick.

Mrs. Cottrell worked for many years in the banking industry in Covington. She was a 1964 graduate of Covington High School and was active in the various CHS reunion committees. She was a member of Temple Baptist Church.

Survivors include her son, Travis Cottrell, and his wife, Kylie, of Lynchburg; two step-daughters whom she loved as her own, Elizabeth “Yipi” Ridout, and her husband, Marty, of Hampton and Rhonda Petitjean of Hampton; a da...

Robert Warren “Butch” Stone 79, of Troutville, and formerly Covington, died May 13, 2024, at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

Butch was born October 31, 1944, in Alleghany County, a son of the late Charles R. Stone and Elizabeth Gleason Stone. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Boguess.

Mr. Stone served his country in the United State Air Force.  He retired from MeadWestvco as a maintenance oilier and was a former member of Christ United Methodist Church.

Surviving is his wife of 59 years, Linda Hepler Stone of Troutville; one daughter, Lisa Stone; one grandson, Jermery Holloway; and one great-granddaughter, Dakota Holloway, all of Hoschton, GA.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday May 16, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Alleghany Memo...

Carl Shannon Burch, age 51, of Covington, died Sunday, May 12, 2024, at the Lewis Gale Medical Center in Salem after an extended illness.

Carl was born April 4, 1973, in Lexington and was preceded in death by his parents, the late Carl C. Burch and Betty Cales Burch.

Carl was a self-employed excellent handyman, helping anyone who needed him.

Surviving is his companion, Catrina Comor of Covington; a son, Tyler Burch of Lexington; three daughters, Sommer Burch of Buena Vista, Kristen Heath of Fairfax, and Miriah M. Burch of Covington; a sister, Kimberley  B. Lilley of Virginia Beach; and a brother, Michael D. Burch.

Arritt Funeral Home has been entrusted to handling Carl’s arrangements.

Keeping wi...

Particianne Jean Switzer Medley, age 65, of New Castle, died Friday, May 10, 2024, at LewisGale Medical Center in Salem.

Patricianne was born February 19, 1959, in Covington, and was preceded in death by her parents, the late Harry Junior Switzer and Thelma Cleo Fridley Switzer; a stepmother, Drucille Switzer; a son, Ronnie Reed, Jr; a sister Dorothy Craft; a brother-in-law, Norman Craft; and a brother, Harry F. Switzer.

She worked for many years as a  warehouse clerk and was a former member of First Baptist Church, in New Castle. She really enjoyed attending church, meeting new people, and making friends. She also enjoyed attending functions with her friends.

Survivors include her daughter, Roxie (Henry) Wolfe of New Castle; a son, Saford Wright, Jr. of Covington; three sisters, Phyllis (Allen) Switzer of Waiteville, WV, Shirley Bratton and Th...