Obituaries

Ashby Childs “Red” Starke, Jr., 88, of 1902 S. Kadel Ave., passed away on Saturday April 15, 2023, at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Starke was born on March 22, 1935, in Boston, MA, a son of the late Ashby Starke Sr. and Florence Nelson Starke. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Patricia Garnet; two sisters, Lorretta Jordan and Evelyn Hall; and two brothers, Bill Starke and Donald Starke.

He served in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict. He was the owner/operator of Red’s Construction Company. He always found something to do and enjoyed making, building, and fixing stuff. He also enjoyed traveling.

In keeping with his wishes his body has been cremated.

Surviving are his wife of 39 years Linda Persinger Starke of Coving...

Edna Mae Barnett Craghead, aged 96, peacefully departed this earth April 14, 2023 at the home of her daughter in Verona, VA. She succumbed to pancreatic cancer along with other ailments which had afflicted her for many years.

Originally from Gretna, LA., she was the youngest of five children of Harry and Edna Barnett. She met, and eventually married, a sailor, Thomas James Craghead while his ship was ported in New Orleans. After he left the service, Edna lived with him as a pastor's wife in Riner, Va. until the family moved to Covington in 1964. There she worked as a bookkeeper at Covington Wholesale Grocery until she retired. She was widowed in 2007. Due to her health issues, she moved to Verona in 2016 to live with her daughter.

Mother of three, Edna lost her son, Thomas James Craghead, Jr.(Buddy) in the Vietnam war in 1968. She was also preceded in death by her parent...

Woodrow Murray “Buddy” Young Jr., 85, of 204 E. Phillip St., passed away on Tuesday April 11, 2023, at his residence.

Mr. Young was born on January 14, 1938, in Alleghany County, the son of late Woodrow M. Young Sr. and Virginia Via Young. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother Donald L. Young.

He was a member of the United States Army and United States Army Reserves. He was a member of McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church, and he retired in 2000 from Meade-Westvaco as a Fire Inspector.

In keeping with his wishes his body has been cremated.

Surviving are his wife of 63 years Margie Stone Young of Covington; three children, Michael T. Young and wife Brigette Young, Kevin W. Young all of Covington, and Renee Y. Gann of Waynesboro; seven grandchild...

Juanita Frances Warden Boggs, 75, of 2715 Maldon St, Low Moor, died, Sunday April 9, 2023 at her residence.

She was born July 24, 1944, in Greenbrier Co., WV a daughter of the late Lloyd and Ruby Wilson Warden, in addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Henry Ferrell; 2nd husband Harmon Boggs; two daughters, Patricia White and Ruby Burns; two sisters; and two brothers.

Mrs. Boggs was formerly employed by Halmode Inc.

Surviving are three daughters Linda Sue and Wayne Bocook of Low Moor, Theresa Harold and husband Richard of Roanoke, and Libby Alcantara and husband Lobo of Clifton Forge; one son Charles Halsey and wife Susan of Sumter, SC; a number of grandchildren; great grandchildren; three sisters Carolyn Patten of Roanoke, Diane Caldwell of AL, and Darlena Caldwell of Low Moor; one brother Homer Warden of Troutville; and number nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be Thursday April 13, 2023, at 2:...

Marvin Lewis Jones, 57, of Covington, died, Sunday, April 2, 2023, at Lewis Gale Alleghany Regional Hospital in Low Moor.

Mr. Jones was born August 30, 1965, in Covington he was the son of Geraldine Jones of Covington and the late Richard Jones Sr. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a son Shane M. Jones.

Marvin was a self-employed contractor for many years.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by two sons, Zachary Humphreys of Low Moor and Marvin Jones, Jr. of Roanoke; special friend Kim Folden Jones of Roanoke; four brothers, Richard Jones Jr. and wife Chris, Michael Jones, James Jones, and Ronnie Jones all of Covington; four sisters, Linda Jeter, Theresa Smith and husband James, Debbie Rice, and husband Greg, and Daphney Wallace and husband James all of Covington; a number of nieces and nephews a...

JoAnn Carter of Covington VA passed away at home on March 30, 2023, after an extended illness. She was the daughter of the late Kathleen “Peggy” Worsham and David Mustoe Carter.

She retired from the Alleghany Highlands School system after many years as a physical education and driver’s education teacher. After retirement she continued to be an avid supporter of youth sports and assisted with ticket sales for sporting events at the high school. She was inducted into the Alleghany Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007 and recognized with a Distinguished Service Award in 1983 for twenty years of teaching prior to Alleghany County Schools merger with Clifton Forge. An education award she received in 1991 was inscribed with “JoAnn will be remembered for her interest in fair play and oneness in life. Her boundless energy has been expressed through her cheerful disposition which she has freely shared with everyone.” She appreciated ...

Margaretta P. Robinson was born on May 18. 1965 and departed this life on March 30.2023. She was born into the life of the late Juanita B & Sylvester G. Robinson Sr. Margaretta is survived by one brother Sylvester G. Robinson Jr. of Richmond VA, one nephew, two nieces, three great nephews and three great nieces. She also leaves a longtime confidant, Sherri M. Hargrove of Woodbridge VA.

At an early age Margaretta devoted her life to Christ and became a member of First Baptist church of Covington Va. Margaretta is a graduate of Covington High School and attended Dabney S. Lancaster Community College. After Attending College Margaretta relocated to Roanoke VA. At that time, she became employed for Ritz Camera for fourteen years which led her to northern VA. After arriving in Northern Va., she decided to change careers and entered into the field of education as an admissions representative throughout the Washington DC ...

Roger Dale Lilly went to his ultimate family reunion during the early morning hours of March 19, 2023. His bride of 56 years, Virginia 'Ginger' Walker Lilly was by his side.

As the old saying goes, “he did it his way!” Just after midnight, Roger literally let go of the hand of his Honey Bunch and took hold of the hand of his heavenly Father, signifying to Ginger, "God's got me now!" Roger was last employed by MeadWestvaco until neuropathy in hands and a long time inherited diabetes led to an early retirement. He was a well-known fixture of the work force who had given him the nickname 'Mean eye'. 

And speaking of comrades, Roger and lifetime friends Richard Lilly of Covington VA & Darrell Lilly of Nimitz, WV went to join the Marines soon after high school graduation from Hinton High School in Hinton, WV. Roger was the only one who successfully made the enlistmen...

Gloria Jean Chittum Shinault 78, of Winston Salem, NC. Formerly of Covington, died Tuesday March 14, 2023, at Forsyth Medical Center, Winston Salem, NC.

Mrs. Shinault was born September 18, 1944, in Rockbridge Co.  She was the daughter of the late George and Allena Montgomery Chittum. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Donald F. Shinault; a son, Justin Shinault; and a brother, Barry Chittum.

Jean was a member of the Corner Stone Church of God of Prophecy.

Surviving are a daughter, Patricia Hunter of Covington; two sons, Donnie Shinault and his wife, Lisa of Covington, Dale Shinault and his wife Angela of Winston Salem NC.; eight grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; two sisters, Rita Deguzman and her husband Robert and Janet Kidd and her husband Billy, all of Covington; one brother,...

Eli Raether, infant son of Vince and Paige Raether of Covington, passed away, Thursday March 9, 2023, at Lewis Gale Alleghany Regional Hospital.

Also surviving other than his parents is his three brothers, Carson Raether, Cameron Raether, and Raiden Raether all of Covington; Maternal Grandparents, Tammy and Daniel Harmon of Covington, Willard Donovan of Maryland; Paternal grandparents, Andrea Raether of Bedford and Mark and Shawn Raether of Covington; and aunts; uncles; nieces; and nephews.

A private service will be held at later date.

Arrangements are being handle by Arritt Funeral Home.

Estel Roy Plumley, 82, of 407 S. Craig Ave., passed away on Tuesday March 7, 2023 at his residence.

Mr. Plumley was born on June 25, 1940 in Hinton, WV a son of the late Lawrence and Cora Bennett Plumley.

He was a loader driver for Bradley Sawmill.

In keeping with his wishes his body has been cremated.

Surviving are his son and daughter in law Barry and Wanda Plumley of Covington; a grandson Levi Caleb Plumley; a brother Richard Plumley Tackett, WV.

The funeral arrangements are being handled by Arritt Funeral Home.

Dorothy Dameron Hepler, 90, of Potts Creek Rd., passed away on Tuesday March 7, 2023, at the Woodlands Health and Rehab Center.

Mrs. Hepler was born on April 4, 1932, in Alleghany County a daughter of the late James D. and Agnes Landis Dameron. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Wilbur Hepler; a son Ronnie Hepler; a sister, Virginia Bates; and a brother Howard Dameron.

Surviving are a son Stevie Hepler of Covington; five grandchildren, Teresa (Vinnie) Barrett of Medina, NY, Jennifer (John) Shaffer of Clifton Forge, Elizabeth (Dan) Gould of Del Rio, TN, Adam O’Brien of Clayton, NC, and Wesley O’Brien of White Sulphur Springs, WV; fifteen great-grandchildren; 6 great-great grandchildren; a daughter in law Kyleha Hepler; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held on ...