Obituaries

Billy Wayne “Gilligan” Lipes, 61, of Roanoke, died, Tuesday January 17, 2023, in Lewis Gale Medical Center. He was born December 26, 1961, in Alleghany Co. a son of the late William C. and Erma Taylor Lipes. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death George Green who helped raised him. Billy was retired from Greer’s Supply Co. as a fire extinguisher technician and was a former member of the Covington Moose Lodge #610. 

Surviving is his wife of 28 years Angelia Thompson Lipes of Roanoke; Schyler Gamez and Samathan Gamez who lived with them; a daughter Jessica Lipes of Massachusetts; one sister Cathy Lipes of Covington; two brothers Donnie Lipes and his wife Jen of Covington and Allen Lipes and James Stanley of Gibsonville, NC.; also surviving are number of nieces and nephews. 

The funeral service w...

Helen Bezio “Virgie” Doyle, 88, of 718 W. Parklin Dr., formerly of Mechanicsville, passed away on Sunday January 15, 2023, at her residence. Mrs. Doyle was born on July 27, 1934 in Keeseville, NY, a daughter of the late Edith Doyle. 

In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by her husband Rolland P. Doyle, Jr.; a son Mark Doyle; three sisters and one brother. She took care of kids for many years in the Hanover Area. 

Surviving are her daughter Barbara Doyle of Covington; a son Robert Doyle of Richmond; a daughter Dawn Roberson of Richmond; seven grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews. 

In keeping with her wishes her body has been cremated. A service will be held at a later day in Signal Hill Cemetery in Hanover. The funeral arrangements are being handled by Arri...

Howard Franklin “Frankie” Browning, III, 39, of 620 E. Kline St., died, Saturday January 14, 2023, at his residence. He was born January 30, 1983, in Covington, a son of the late Deborah Dressler Browning and Howard F. Browning, Jr. 

In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by a sister Ginger Kress. Frankie loved being with his family and friends. Surviving other than his father and stepmother Wendy Browning of Covington, he is survived by two brothers John Browning and Robert Hosey all of Covington, six sisters Bubbie Browning, Angle Browning Marie Browning, Ashley Browning, Jesse Browning, and Cheyenne Hosey all of Covington. Also surviving a friend Misty Browning and number of nieces and nephews. 

In keeping with his wishes his body has been cremated. A service will be at a later date. Arrangements are being handle by Arritt Funeral Home.

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Drema Darlene Saunders, 65, of 1536 Todd St., passed away on Tuesday January 10, 2023. Ms. Saunders was born on May 26, 1957 in Giles County a daughter of the late Mary Marie Saunders and a father figure to her Bill Talbert. 

In addition to her mother she was preceded in death by her grandfather Monroe Saunders; two brothers David Saunders and Danny Davis; and a grandchild Nicholas Saunders. She was a homemaker as well as enjoyed the outdoors to include hunting and fishing. She was a Kansas City Chiefs Fan and was very big on her family. 

Surviving are her two daughters, Katrina (Walter) Dybis of New Orleans, LA and Sondra (Jason) Elliott of Covington; a son Chad Saunders of Richmond; eight grandchildren to include Tina Elliott and Penelope Elliott both of Covington; Katrina Elliott of Richmond, Ashley (Andy) Keeton of Ohio, and Michael (Emily) Stevers of Flori...

Wanda Thompson Merino, 45, of Covington, died, Sunday January 8, 2023, at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Merino was born January 21, 1977, in Alleghany Co. a daughter of Phillip Thompson, Sr. and Janet Sue Ryan Thompson both of Covington. Wanda was preceded in death by her husband Miguel Merino in 2015, and brother Andrew Thompson. 

Surviving other than her parents she is survived by a daughter Monica Merino of Covington; two sons Marselino Gonzales of Covington, and Max Gonzales of Richmond; two grandchildren Damien Gonzales and Aliyana Gonzales, her fiancé Baldemar Mazariegos of Covington; two sisters Evelyn Escobar and Alisha Thompson; two brothers Phillip Thompson Jr. and Diane and Jacob Thompson and Grace all of Covington; and a number of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. 

In keeping with her wishes her body has been cremated. The famil...

David Eugene Gaines, 51, of Roanoke formerly of Covington, died Friday January 6, 2023 at the Carrington Place at Botetourt. Mr. Gaines was born on March 11, 1971, in Covington a son of Eugene and Linda McCulley Gaines of Covington. 

He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Hlavaty Gaines in 2009; two sisters Yvonne Gaines in 2015 and Teresa Gaines Spangler in 2018; a brother Jayson Gaines in 2012. 

He was a retired welder from Spinfinity Inc. in Roanoke and he loved to sing karaoke. 

In addition to his parents, he is survived by two daughters Olivia Goode of Vinton and Jody Gaines Hlavaty of Roanoke; one sister; and a number of nieces and nephews. 

In keeping with his wishes his body has been cremated. 

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Mrs. Annalee Margaret Nance Markham, 86 years old of Covington passed away on January 5th, 2023, at her home surrounded by her loving family. 

Mrs. Markham was born on December 29, 1936, in Covington to the late Frank Nance and Gladys Ryder Griffith (Father and Mother), in addition to her parents she was preceded in death by Melvina Nance (Stepmother) and Guy D. Griffith (Stepdad). 

Mrs. Markham was also preceded in death by the love of her life, Roy F. Markham Sr, who passed away January 2, 2013. They were married January 31, 1953, spending a cherished 59 years together, and missing him every day, until they were reunited together today. Mrs. Markham was also preceded in death by a Sister Glenna Nance Mahaney; a Brother- In-Law Ronald Lewis Mahaney; a Son-in-law Gary Wayne Frame, and her cat Cricket. 

Annal...

Roy Lee Reed, 97, of Clifton Forge formerly of Covington, passed away on Sunday January 1, 2023, at the Alleghany Health and Rehab. 

Mr. Reed was born May 28, 1925, in Hinton, WV, a son of the late William Riley and Virginia Akers Reed. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his two wives, Mary Mines Reed and Shelia Switzer Reed; a son Glenn Reed; and a daughter Earlene Creamer. 

He had retired from the Alleghany County and Covington School Board from the Maintenance Department and was a School Bus Driver. 

He was also a member of First Christian Church. 

Surviving are his son Raymond Reed of Catawba; two daughters Mary Reed of Clifton Forge and Laura Hise and husband Junior of Covington; a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren;...

Gordon Edward Tucker, 85, of 534 Bird Farm Rd., passed away on Saturday December 31, 2022, at his residence. Mr. Tucker was born on January 5, 1937, in Eagle Rock, a son of the late Emmett Griffen and Nelsie Mae McKalester Tucker. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brother and sister in laws: Georgia and Don Pinske and Daniel and Norma Smith. He and his family moved to Covington when he was about 6 years old. He was a graduate of Covington High School in 1955. After graduation he went to Chicago and attended Coyne Technical School. Returning to Covington he temporarily took a job at Kroger’s which he retired from after 37 years. Following Kroger’s retirement, he was offered a job in the dairy dept at Walmart, and he also worked at his favorite job delivering flowers for The Little Clay Pot Flower Shop. He served in the Army Reserves for six years. He was a member of Mallow Presbyterian Church where he was a faithful deacon, elder, and a faithful me...

Janice Silvery Johnson, 75, of Covington, passed away on Monday December 26, 2022 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital after a short illness. Janice leaves to cherish her memory two loving daughters Robin Johnson of Maryland and Acquanetta Johnson of Covington. A funeral service will be held Saturday January 7, 2023, 12:00 PM (Noon) at the chapel of Arritt Funeral Home. The interment will be made in Cedar Hill Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time and being entrusted to Arritt Funeral Home....

Rachel Louise Kelley Cash, 89, passed away December 24, 2022, at Carillion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke. Mrs. Cash was born May 12, 1933, in Alleghany County, a daughter of the late James and Mary Virginia Kelley. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Earl M. Cash, a son, Junior Meadows. Rachel was a seamstress at the former Airlee Cleaners in Roanoke, VA. She was a member of the Roanoke Congregational Holiness Church. Surviving are her children, Jerry Meadows, Carol Schmaeman, Greg (Sharon) Cash, Christy (Phillip) Walker, and Mary “Vickie” Anderson, all of Roanoke, and Earl (Mary) Cash Jr. of Norton; 12 grandchildren; a number of great-grandchildren; one brother, James Kelley of Covington; and several nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held Thursday, December 29, 2022, at 12:00 PM at Lonestar Cemetery in Covington. The funeral arrangements are being handled by Arritt Funeral Home....

Beatrice Fitzgerald “Bea” Cash, 87, of Covington, went to rest with her Lord and Savior, and the love of her life, Homer, on Saturday, December 24, 2022 at the Highland House in Clifton Forge. Mrs. Cash was born on October 19, 1935, in Alleghany County a daughter of the late John Henry and Willie Violet Phillips Fitzgerald. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband in 2011, Homer E. Cash, and a brother John H. Fitzgerald Jr. Bea spent her life making a home for her family and especially loved helping care for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had a passion for crossword puzzles, birdwatching, flowers, and long walks where she could take it all in. Surviving are her two sons, Michael E. Cash, Sr., and wife Jennifer of Clairemont, NC and Alan Dale Cash of Pounding Mill; two grandchildren, Chanelle Gonzalez of Woodacre, CA and Michael E. (Megan) Cash Jr. of Covington; five great grandchildren, Michael E. Cash III, Timothy Dale Cash, ...