Obituaries

Carolyn Bell Edwards Tolley, 82, of Goshen fell asleep in the Lord on March 1, 2023, at the Woodlands Health and Rehab Center.

Mrs. Tolley was born on December 16, 1940 in Rockbridge County a daughter of the late Laymond Douglas and Alice Ayers Edwards.

She retired from the Social Security Administration as a Claims Representative, where she made many life long friends.

She was a member of the Central Advent Christian Church where she was known as the “Candy Lady” but was best known as Granny to everyone. She had a generous, giving heart and loved to do for others.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years Stephen Edgar Tolley; a brother William Earnest Edwards; and a sister A. Lorraine Edwards.

Glenna Long Lipes, 99, of Covington, slipped out of this life and into glory on February 23, 2023, following a sudden illness. She was the widow of Arthur C. Lipes, who died on March 4, 2005. They shared 61 years of marriage.

Glenna was born November 20, 1923, in Roanoke County, Virginia, to the late Arthur Raymond Long and Sarah Victoria Young Long. Her three brothers, Raymond, Owen, and Ernest, and her sister, Dorothy May also preceded her in death.

Glenna loved her Lord, and was a devout and faithful member of South Covington United Methodist Church for 85 years. She was an active member of the South Covington United Methodist Women, having served in many capacities, and was the current President. She served her church on many committees, taught Sunday School, directed the Children’s Choir for many years, as well as singing in the Adult Choir, and was Church Treasurer...

Doris Ann Simmons Thompson, 77, of 1152 Stuple Lane, passed away on Friday February 17, 2023 at her residence.

Mrs. Thompson was born on January 2, 1946, in Covington a daughter of the late James Henry and Justine Doris Hepler Simmons.

She was a homemaker who loved to cook, tend to her flowers, talking on the phone with her friends. She was a member of the Living Word Assembly of God where she played the piano many years ago. She enjoyed playing games with her grandchildren, sharing snacks, making them laugh, and sitting on the porch in her rocking chair.

She is survived by her husband of 55 years John Harvey Thompson; two daughters, Elizabeth Dawn “Libby” Atkins and her husband, Jim of Franklin County, and Melissa Carol Thompson of Covington; two granddaughters, Savannah Leigh Thompson and Abigail Dawn Atkins; a grandson ...

William Alexander Young, Jr., 80, of 1613 Dolly Ann Dr., passed away on February 17, 2023 at the Brian Center in Low Moor.

Mr. Young was born on July 2, 1942, in Covington a son of the late William A. Young, Sr. and Beatrice Liggins Young. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by six sisters.

He served in the United States Army. He was a mill wright at Westrock for 39 years and a member of Pine Street Baptist Church.

Surviving are his wife of 61 years Sandra Coles Young of Covington, two sons William A. “Bill” Young III and wife Denise and Ryan Young and wife Amber; two daughters Shannon Smith and husband Wayne and Tammy Jefferson all of Covington; seventeen grandchildren; four great grandchildren; a sister Margaret Young of Beaverton, OR; a brother Robert Young of Lake Norman, NC; and a host of nieces and ne...

Judith Smith Cale, 74, of 106 Cliffview Dr., passed away on February 14, 2023, at Chippenham Hospital in Richmond. Mrs. Cale was born on May 9, 1948 in Covington a daughter of the late Raymond and Rosa Shoemaker Smith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by Richard Smith. 

She worked at Bacova Guild as a seamstress and was a member of Emory United Methodist Church. She enjoyed fishing, cooking, and her family. In keeping with her wishes her body has been cremated. 

Surviving are her husband of 56 years Ronald W. Cale of Covington; two daughters, Cheryl Cale and Kerry Weade; two sons, Chipper Cale and Matthew Cale all of Covington; two sisters, Janice McClintic of Salem and Janet Holcomb of Fincastle; two brothers, Raymond Smith of FL and Roger Smith of Christiansburg; and a number of nieces and nephews. 

William Mason Fortune, Sr. age 76, of Chilton, formerly of Craigsville Va., died on February 14, 2023, at Progressive Nursing Home in Sheboygan. He was born March 23, 1946, son of the late Gordon and Blanche Fortune. Other than his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Beverly Karshner in 2004, a son Brent Fortune also his father-in-law and mother- in -law Frank and Ann Karsher

William proudly served in the Air Force during Vietnam. The military and his career took him across the country, but no matter where he went, he remained an Alabama Crimson Tide fan. William was a wonderful son, father, and husband. He was loved by his family very much.

William is survived by his children: Mindy (Todd) Hidde, Jerry Fortune, Billy Fortune, and Brian (April) Fortune; grandchildren: Alicia (Brad) Tomcheck, Kristin Hidde, Alexis (Quinn) Rastall, Alivia (Kyle) Fortune, Mason For...

George Richard Tucker, 85, of Temecula, CA formerly of Clifton Forge, passed away on February 10, 2023. Mr. Tucker was born on May 31, 1937, in Alleghany County a son of Benjamin Harrison and Ida Bowen Tucker. 

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Margaret McDonald Tucker; five brothers, Ray Tucker, Ersel Tucker, Fraiser Tucker, Charles Tucker, and Ralph L. Tucker Sr.; four sisters, Annie Simmons, Bessie Simmons, Dorothy Martel, and Celia Wolfe. He was a pipefitter and an avid outdoorsman. 

Surviving are a son Donald Tucker of Daleville, two daughters, Lynn Harris and husband David of Temecula, CA and Debra Redman of Winter Park, FL; five grandchildren; a sister Regina Bowles of Chesapeake; and a number of nieces and nephews. 

A funeral service will be held on Saturday February 18,...

Bertha Lee Bowen Hinkle Elmore, 83, of 319 Jonestown Road, Covington, passed away February 7, 2023 at her residence. Mrs. Elmore was born June 12, 1939 in Alleghany County, a daughter of the late Charles and Annie Brookman Bowen. 

Bertha was a self-employed custodian for many years. She was a consummate caretaker and homemaker for her family. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her first husband, Hubert B. Hinkle; her second husband, Claude Eubank Elmore; and three sons and two daughters-in-law, Wilbur Elmore, Hubert W. Hinkle and his wife, Lisa, and Phillip Elmore and his wife, Terrie. 

Surviving are two daughters, Kathy Hobgood (Doug) of Annapolis, MD, and Susan Hinkle Gray (Tom Andrews) of Frederick, MD; a son, Claude E. Elmore of Covington; 18 grandchildren; 24 great and great-great grandchildren; two sisters, Phlis Tingler (Virgil) and ...

Kathleen Leffel Knighton of Covington, died, on February 2, 2023, at the age of 97. She was the daughter of the late John H. and Hazel Smith Leffel. Mrs. Knighton was married to the late Roy N. (Buddy) Knighton for 59 years. 

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a son Patrick L. Knighton; a sister, Elizabeth Leffel McCormick; and a brother-in-law Thomas N. McCormick; her stepmother Pearl H. Leffel; and stepbrother Clyde Saylor Jr. Mrs. Knighton retired in 1988 as a Deputy Clerk of the Circuit Court of Alleghany County after serving for twenty years. 

She was a member of the Edgemont Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Knighton is survived by a son Larry N. Knighton and wife Georgia of Eagle Rock; a daughter in law Ann Knighton of Ronceverte, WV; two daughters, Kathy K. Massey-Hargrove and husband Tom of Sapulpa, OK and Karen K. Mays and hu...

Curtis Lee Ewing, 78, of Eagle Rock, died, Sunday January 29, 2023, at his residence. Mr. Ewing was born October 27, 1944, in Rainelle, WV. He was the son of the late Asa and Emma McKnight Ewing. 

Curtis retired from Gala Industries as a safety and environmental supervisor, he was formerly employed by Hercules, Inc., Virginia Power, and Lear, Inc. He was a Honorary lifetime member of the Covington Fire Department and the Covington First Aid. His philosophy for his work as a safety professional was, "Everyone will return safely home to their family in the same condition that they came into work". 

Surviving are his wife of 55 years Inez Mills Ewing of Eagle Rock; one son Jeff Ewing and his wife Michele of Warrenton; a daughter Cindy Ison and her husband Randy of Crewe; three grandchildren; Tori Ewing, Curtis Ison, and Austin Ison; one sister Janice Neff of Raine...

Donald Edward Martin, Sr., 85, of Alleghany County, passed away, on Wednesday January 18, 2023, surrounded by his family. Mr. Martin was born on the 18th day of March 1937 in Alleghany County, a son of the late William E. and Eva Webb Martin. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by the mother of his children and his wife of 40 years, Minnie Curry Martin in 1997; a son, Ricky Martin; a daughter and son in law, Janie Martin Arrant and Jacob; and a brother Kenneth Martin. He served in the United States Navy for 21 years during his time he served during the Vietnam War and the Korean Conflict. During his time in the military, he taught flight school and flew with the Blue Angels. He retired in 1997 as an Associate Professor for DSLCC. He was a member of the Hollywood (MD) Lodge # 223; the Kazim Shrine Temple of Roanoke; and a longtime avid musician in the area. He was an instructor and apprenticeship coordinator for Westvaco. In his spare time, he enjoyed...

Richard Eugene Bradshaw known by many as Eugene, 86, of Covington, passed away peacefully at home on January 17, 2023. Eugene was born on April 25, 1936 in Monroe County, a son of the late Richard Roscoe and Rebecca Craft Bradshaw. He rejoins in heaven his beloved wife of 58 years, Carol Ann, who passed away in 2018. 

In addition to his parents and his wife he was preceded in death by two sisters Linda Scott and Phyllis Bradshaw; and a brother Leo Bradshaw. He served in the United States Army. Eugene was a hard working life-long farmer. He and his father, and later his son Michael, operated two farms for many years in Alleghany County and Monroe County, WV. he was a lover of the outdoors, classic country music and cars in his younger years.

Surviving are his son Michael Bradshaw of Covington; a daughter Teresa Stevens and husband Nate of Daleville; two grandchildren...