Obituaries

Dreama Jones Miller, 82 of 407 Winding Way in Covington, was called to her heavenly home by her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, December 21, 2022. Dreama was born July 5, 1940, at Potts Creek, VA to the late Oakey “Ted” Jones and Margie Campbell Jones. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Eugene Miller, a brother Kenneth Ray Jones, Sr., and her daughter Barbara Harmon Summers. She was a founding member of Faith Baptist Church where she worshipped until her death. Mrs. Miller is survived by her sister Brenda Jones Cochran (Wilson) of Covington, her daughter Shannon Harmon Newkirk (Greg) of Atlanta GA, her granddaughter Taylor Hammons (Tommy Black), her stepdaughter, Sandra Oyler (Dale), step-granddaughters, Kelly Oyler Helmintoller (RJ), Stacy Oyler Holbrook (Bryan), Emily Oyler (Logan Holly). Step-Great granddaughter Addison Helmintoller. Also surviving are several very special nephews and nieces who are left behind to cherish their...

Darren Fitzgerald Scott, 58, of 211 Clay St., White Sulphur Springs, WV, passed away on Wednesday December 14, 2022, at the Greenbrier Valley Medical Center in Ronceverte, WV. Mr. Scott was born on December 8, 1964, in Hot Springs, a son of the late John and Dorothy Elizabeth Roach Scott. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandmother Virginia Roach and an uncle Raymond Roach. He was employed as a cashier and had attended Pine Street Baptist Church. He enjoyed playing cornhole, fishing, making people laugh, and the Washington Commanders. In keeping with his wishes his body has been cremated. Surviving are his two daughters Alaina Mariah Scott of Covington, Brehana Raekell Scott of Ronceverte, WV; fiancé Alyssa Arbaugh of White Sulphur Springs, WV, and a number of cousins. A private service will be held at a later date. The funeral arrangements are entrusted to Arritt Funeral Home....

Marlene Bogar Wolfe, 68, of 105 Hallies Rd., passed away on Tuesday December 13, 2022, at her residence. Mrs. Wolfe was born April 18, 1954, in Alleghany County a daughter of the late Jacob and Lillian Wright Bogar. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Richard (Pork) Wolfe in 2014; two sisters Goldie Tucker and Jeanette Bess. She was a former employee at many local sewing factories in the area and a cook at the Bear Walla Hunt Club and Kountry Corners. She enjoyed spending time with her family and her cat Rusty. Surviving are three daughters and son in laws Shannon Paxton and Todd of Covington, Jennifer Harris and Norman of Troutville, and Nichole Benedict and Tommy of Clifton Forge; three grandchildren Noel, Dalton, and Baylee of Clifton Forge; four sisters Judy Clarke and husband David, Arlene Shinault and husband Ted, and Robin Gillispie and husband Bobby, and Wanda Fridley all of Covington; three brothers Carl Bogar, Jeff Bogar, and...

Thomas Eugene Staton, 72, of 311 E. Fudge St., passed away on Monday December 12, 2022, at Lewis Gale Alleghany Regional Hospital in Low Moor. Mr. Staton was born on August 4, 1951, in Thomasville, NC a son of the late Jessie Staton Sr. and Sarah Smith Staton. He was a counselor for 25 years at the Eagleton School in Great Barrington, MA. In keeping with his wishes his body has been cremated. Surviving are his wife Debbie Russell Staton; a son Christopher Staton and his wife Casi all of Covington; a daughter Stacy Harris and her husband Sherwin, Sr. of Springfield, MA; six grandchildren; two great grandchildren; a sister Pamela Rich of Atlanta, GA. A service will be held at a later date. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Arritt Funeral Home....

Julian Frank Hepler, 82, of Covington, died Saturday, December 10, 2022, at his residence. Mr. Hepler was born August 9, 1940, in Gap Mills, WV, a son of the late Julian Baxter Hepler and Margaret Rowan Hepler Greco. In addition to his parents, he was proceeded in death by two brothers, Robert Hepler and William Hepler. Frank was a self-employed general contractor with Hepler Construction for many years. He was a member of Lonestar Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. He was a frequent volunteer with many organizations, including the Gideons and Men of Mission. Frank enjoyed his work and farming as well as spraying weeds. He loved his family and especially treasured time spent giving tractor rides to his grandkids and great grandkids. Surviving are his wife of 36 years, Beverly Crook Hepler of Covington; five children, Sherry Ortelli (Richard) of Brooksville, FL, Jay Hepler (Kelly) of Southwest Ranches, FL, Tracy Staats-Wagner (Steve) of Brooksville, FL, Jeff Hep...

Virginia Ellen Smith, 86, of 5925 Frontier Lane, died Saturday, December 3, 2022, at her residence. Mrs. Smith was born March 18, 1936, in Alleghany County, a daughter of the late Phillip Johnson Smith, Sr. and Zenith Acadia Smith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her stepmother, Edna Persinger Smith, and her husband, Leonard Allen Smith, Sr. For much of her life she was as a self-employed researcher. She also worked locally at the former Barr’s Craft Store and Kmart for many years. She was an active leader in both the local Boy scouts and 4-H. In her spare time, she enjoyed knitting and crocheting with the group at the Christ United Methodist Church. She also enjoyed planning family reunions, gardening, and genealogy. She was a member of the Hoke Chapel United Methodist Church. Surviving are her children, Martha Leonard and her husband, Bill, of Lexington, NC, Joe Rock, Jr. and his wife, Donna, of Covington, Leonard Smith, Jr. and his wife, Da...

Emma Gertrude "Trudy" Dawson Wright, 80 years old, of Covington, Virginia passed away peacefully on November 30th, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. Trudy was born on September 6th, 1942, in Alleghany County, Virginia to Joseph and Mary Dawson. Trudy was preceded in death by her father Joseph Dawson, her mother Mary Dawson, her brothers, Bobby and Billy, and her sister Dorothy “Dot”. Trudy was a homemaker who was happiest when she was surrounded by her family and cooking all of their favorite foods for Sunday dinner. She loved to spoil her grandkids and great grandkids who she loved unconditionally. She loved gardening and canning and decorating her home for the holidays. She enjoyed bluegrass festivals and beach vacations. She was known to play a few rounds of rummy with her grandkids and taught them the art of “sand bagging.” She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. She is survived by her husband of many years, Abraham “Abe” Wright, her siblings ...

Gary Clark Grimes, 85, of 704 S. Alleghany Ave., died, Monday, November 28, 2022, at his residence. Mr. Grimes was born on September 29, 1937, in Pocahontas Co. WV., a son of the late Hubert Grimes and Verna Alice Fertig Grimes. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son Benjamin H. Grimes; eight brothers and sisters. Gary retired in 1999 from Hercules, Inc. as machine operator. He was a member of Temple Baptist Church where he was a member of the choir, and Young at Heart. Surviving are his son Brian Grimes and his fiancé Staci Morehead; a daughter Carla Harrah and husband Larry; all of Covington; six grandchildren; Amber Grimes and Ryan Young, Jacob Grimes and his wife Meagan, Cheyleen Christ, Katelynn Grimes, Samuel Brookman, and Sean Streng; thirteen great grandchildren; a daughter in law Lori Grimes Camp; and Carlene Gibson mother of his children. In keeping with his wishes his body has been cremated. The funeral service will be held on F...

Samuel Franklin Riley III, 56, of 132 S. Marion Ave., died, Friday November 25, 2022, at Lewis Gale Alleghany Regional Hospital in Low Moor. Mr. Riley was born on June 5, 1966, in Bath County a son of the late Samuel F. Riley Jr. and France Moats Riley. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother William F. Riley; a great grandfather figure Tommy Powers; and grandparents Beulah and Roscoe Simmons. He served in the United States Navy. He had attended Faith Baptist Church and was a member of the election boards. He loved to go to yard sales and the dollar stores as well as take long drives and take pictures of the scenery. He was a kindhearted person who would lend a hand before asking for anything, and he loved his dog. In keeping with his wishes his body has been cremated. Surviving are his three brothers Scherrile (Melenie) Riley, Richard (Mary) Riley, and Thomas (Cindy) Riley all of Covington; four nieces and nephews; Jennifer (Shane Kinca...

James Edward Kincard, Jr., 81, of Covington, died November 18, 2022 at his residence. Mr. Kincaid was born October 23, 1941, in Alleghany County, a son of the late James E. Kincaid, Sr. and Nancy Hart Kincaid. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Robert Kincaid, and a daughter, Anna Kincaid McClung. James worked for many years as a steelworker with Norfolk Globe Iron and Steel and was a member of the Suffolk County Rescue Squad for 45 years. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing the Jackson River from his family camp on Dunbrack Road, birdwatching, and was an avid NASCAR fan. Survivors include his son, James E. Kincaid III of Covington; three sisters, Janet (Frank) Alfred of Covington, Judith (Berkley) Toombs of Locust, NC, and Rebecca (Terry) Rose of Marshville, NC; one brother, Richard (Ginger) Kincaid of Sykesville, MD; numerous nieces and nephews; and a longtime friend, Larry McAllister of Covington. A private memorial service is plann...

Carol Anne Arthur Patterson, 80, of 1114 Cherokee Trail, passed away on November 16, 2022, at Lewis Gale Alleghany Regional Hospital in Low Moor. Mrs. Patterson was born on February 12, 1942, in Rainelle, WV a daughter of the late Woodrow Wilson and Beulah Elizabeth Hedrick Arthur. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son Terry Patterson in 2019 and a brother David Arthur. She retired in 2000 from Bath County Community Hospital as a Registered Nurse. She was a member of Mallow Presbyterian Church where she was a past Deacon and Elder as well as the past secretary of the Mallow Presbyterian Women’s Circle. She was also a past member of the Senior Friends group, the Red Hat Society, and a lifetime member of the WV All Stars. Surviving are her daughter, Cindy Reid and husband Jarrett of Eagle Rock; a son, Robbie Patterson of Sonora, TX; seven grandchildren Hunter Reid, Tanner Reid, Faith (Aaron) Gordon, Matthew Patterson, Samantha Kramer, Taylor R...

Marvin Vance Gibson, 71, of Covington, passed away on, Tuesday November 15, 2022, at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. He was born May 11, 1951, in Clifton Forge the son of the late Marvin Edward and Rosemary “Polly” Gilliland Gibson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four sisters; Gaynell Weese, Sissy Sizemore, Ruby Tawney, and Margaret Rose “Missy” Grimm; two brothers Buddy Gibson and Mark Gibson. He was a former employee of Kroger as well as a member of Mallow Presbyterian Church. He had been affiliated with the City Parks and Recreational for 23 years serving as a football and basketball coach. He was a teacher’s aide paraprofessional and a bus aide with the Covington High School. He was a coach for the Covington High School football team from 1992 to 2016. He was an avid University of Virginia and Minnesota Vikings fan. Surviving are his wife of 52 years, Kathy Givens Gibson of Covington; two sons Mike (Lorri) Gibson, Chris (Susan) Gibson;...