Obituaries

Services for Charlotte M. Rickett Wilmer Goeke, age 82, of Temple, Texas, will be held at 11:00am Saturday, July 29, at First Lutheran Church of Temple with Rev. Russell T. Campbell officiating. Burial will be held at 2:00pm Thursday, August 3, at Alleghany Memorial Park in Covington, Virginia.

Mrs. Wilmer Goeke passed away Sunday, July 23, at Baylor Scott and White hospital in Temple.

Charlotte M. Rickett Wilmer Goeke was born on November 29, 1940 in Covington, Virginia to the late Leonard C. Rickett, Sr. and Viola Mae Arrington Rickett. Charlotte married Paul Berkley Wilmer, Sr, on January 14, 1958. He preceded her in death on September 14, 2002. They had a daughter, Teresa, and a son, Paul. She was an active member of the women's business community in Killeen and was President of the American Business Women's Association. She was also a bookkeeper and office manager of several local businesses....

Beverly Kenney Adkins, 60, of Hot Springs died, Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke.

Beverly was born on April 11, 1963, a daughter of the late Robert Kenney and Mildred Fry Kenny. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Christopher Gwin.

Beverly retired from the Bath Co. School system as a bus driver for more than 20 years.

Surviving are her sons, Matthew Gwin and his wife Shannon, of Hot Springs, Jonathan Gwin and his wife Ashley of Covington, and step-son, Alan Adkins of Covington; four grandchildren, Saige Gwin, Wyatt Gwin, Alex Gwin and Alexis McGuire; a brother, Michael Kenney of Hot Springs; Jimmie Adkins of Hot Springs; her aunt, Marie (Teedee) Cleek of Warm Springs; two uncles, Basil and Adene Fry and Bobby and Cookie Fry all of Hot Springs; and nume...

Mary Marshall Brooks Barber, 83, of Covington, died Sunday, July 9, 2023 at LewisGale Hospital-Alleghany in Low Moor.

Mrs. Barber was born October 8, 1939 in Union, WV, a daughter of the late Frank and Agnes Honaker Brooks. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Marcella Weade; two sons, Michael Weade and Malcolm “Sonny” Weade; and three sisters, Lucille Markham, Frances Burhenn, and Vivian Pendleton.

Mary was a devoted wife and mother who spent much of her life taking care of her family as a homemaker. When she was afforded spare time, she enjoyed cheering on the Atlanta Braves, tending to her flowers, taking walks around the neighborhood, and making sure anyone in her presence was properly fed.

Survivors include her husband of 44 years, Bill Barber, Sr.; three daughters, Mandy (Jonathan) Arritt, Marjorie Weade, and Mary Beth Weade, all of Covington; two sons, Billy Barber of Covington and Bobby (Amy) Barber o...

Deborah Claudine Ferrell Snedegar, 65 of Hot Springs, died Saturday, July 8, 2023, at Lewis-Gale Medical Center in Salem.

Mrs. Snedegar was born February 27, 1958, a daughter of the late June Franklin Ferrell. In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by a brother, Edward “Tinker” Ferrell.

She is survived by her husband of thirty years, Larry J. Snedegar of Hot Springs; two sisters, Lisa and Tony Petrosky and Suzie and Larry Peters, all Hot Springs; and several nieces and nephews.

In keeping with her wishes her body has been cremated.

A private memorial service will be at a later date.

“I was here, now I’m gone.”

Tana Bostic Shires, 62, of New Castle, died Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at her residence.

Mrs. Shires was born January 29, 1961 in Alleghany County, a daughter of the late Fred and Betty Harry Bostic.

Surviving are her husband, Gary Shires of New Castle; a son, Adam Shires and his fiancé, Emily Berry; three grandchildren, Katie Berry, Forest Berry, and Michael Berry, all of Roanoke; one sister, Tina Price of New Castle; and a number of nieces and nephews.

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

A memorial service is planned for a later date.

The family suggests memorial contributions in Tana’s name be made to: ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

The funeral arrangements are being handled by Arritt Funeral Home.

Christopher Robinson Essex, age 48, passed away peacefully and received his eternal reward on the evening of Monday, June 26, 2023, at his residence in Warm Springs, after his hard fight against cancer. Chris was born on September 19, 1974, in Portsmouth, Virginia to Darlene Scales Essex and to the late Donald G. Essex.

Chris married his wife, Carlisa Crawford Essex, in 1994 and five children were born from that union. After graduating from Bath County High School, Chris joined the US Army as an enlisted soldier beginning in 1994 then later became a Chief Warrant Officer in the Ammunition Field. He is a veteran of both wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and served during numerous other military campaigns. He is the recipient of several Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medals and the Good Conduct Medal. He earned the Meritorious Service Medal and has been awarded the Bronze Star twice during his military career. Chris retired in 2014 after serving his cou...

Mary Fish Jones, 84, of Shawsville, died Sunday, June 25, 2023 at her daughters’ residence in Elliston.

Mary was born June 2, 1939 in Alleghany County, a daughter of the late Erman R. Fish and Retha Helmintoller Syndor. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Richard Lewis; a daughter, Cherrie Rucka; and one brother, Eddie Fish.

Mrs. Jones retired from Kmart in Blacksburg after many years of employment. After her retirement, she worked for Dollar General in Christiansburg.

Surviving are two daughters, Vanessa (Teddy) Smith of Shawsville, and Beverly (Ricky) Collins of Elliston; three sons, Duwayne Lewis of Ashland, Thomas (Deloris) Lewis of Franklin, and Robert (Bekky) Lewis of Elliston; a number of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Rosetta Thompson of Goodview; and a long-time companion, Monte Thomas, of Shawsville.

A graveside funeral service will be h...

Guy Wilmer Hensley, 59 of Covington passed away on Friday, June 23, 2023, at LewisGale-Alleghany Regional Hospital.

He was born September 2, 1963, in Alleghany County to the late Earl W. Hensley, Sr. and Virginia Baker Hensley other than his parents he was preceded in death by his brother Earl Hensley, Jr.

Mr. Hensley was a welder by trade.

He is survived by his cousins Randy Selleck, Charlie Selleck, Barbara Richardson, Nina Bostic, Nellie Trivett, Dana Selleck and Rex Selleck and his friends Mike and Linda Seldomridge.

Mr. Hensley has been cremated and there will be no service.

Sandra Fay Groves Beall, 67, of 1711 W. Jackson St., passed away on Tuesday June 13, 2023, at Lewis Gale Medical Center in Salem.

Mrs. Beall was born on October 12, 1955, in Cheverly, MD, a daughter of the late John Groves and Bertie Wolfe Groves Burgess. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, David Hall; a sister, Sharon Brookman; and a brother, Johnny Groves; a stepfather, Jim Burgess.

She worked in the office staff department for the Scott Hill Retirement Community as well as a member of Mount Carmel United Methodist Church.

Surviving are her husband, Joe Beall of Covington; a daughter, Sammie Browning and husband Mike of Covington; two sons, Steven Beall of Tampa, FL. and JC Hall and wife Diana of Gap Mills, WV; fourteen grandchildren, Alex Franson and wife Samantha, Chloe Franson, Kayla Smith ...

Ruby Diane Miller Paxton, 77, of 6721 Ogle Creek Rd., went to be with her Lord and Savior, Thursday June 8, 2023.

Mrs. Paxton was born on January 22, 1946, in White Sulphur Springs, WV, a daughter of the late Robert Lee and Genevieve Marie Reed Miller. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband Alfred Wayne Paxton and a grandson Johnny Lee Meadows.

She was an active member of the Johnson Creek Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. She was a member and served as Chaplin for the VFW Women’s Auxiliary. Diane was an avid fan of the PBR, attending many bull riding events through the years. She also enjoyed a good road and shopping trip.

Surviving are her son and daughter in law Michael Wayne and Rhonda Paxton; her daughter Rebecca Diane Paxton; a grandson Michael Logan Paxton; two great grand...

Nancy Delores Richmond, 82, of 106S. Lexington Ave., passed away peacefully at home on June 8, 2023.

Mrs. Richmond was born on October 11, 1940, in Alleghany County, a daughter of the late Ernest J and Beulah Lemon Taylor. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Robert Lee Richmond, two sons, Billy Pond and Barry Pond, a daughter Georgie Head, a granddaughter Julia Martin, and four sisters; Elsie Campbell, Georgie, Mary, and Jackie.

She loved her two chihuahua, Trixie and Boss. She loved her children and grandchildren as well as taking car rides and eating out, especially banana splits.

She is survived by three children, Linda Trejo of Orlando, FL, Nancy Deitz of Asheville, NC, and Floyd Pond of Daytona Beach, FL; a stepson Bobby Lee Richmond Jr., a number of grandchildren to include Victoria Scott who she raised from a very early age, was her caregiver, and who is living out her final wishes, Heather “Marie” Ta...

Edna Mae Bolt, 80, of Clifton Forge, died, Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at The Woodlands Nursing Home and Rehab Center.

Ms. Bolt was born November 11, 1942, in Covington Virginia. She was the daughter of the late Simon C. and Eloise McCoy Bolt.

Edna worked as a clerk at Social Services.

She is survived by a number of cousins to include Mary Long of Henrico.

A service will be conducted on Tuesday June 13, 2023 at 11:00AM at Alleghany Memorial Park

Interment will follow at Alleghany Memorial Park.

Arrangements are being handled by Arritt Funeral Home.