Obituaries

Dr. Nancy Ochs, died, September 16, 2022 in Charlottesville, Virginia. She worked as a family counselor in Covington, Reston, Rockbridge and Fauquier counties before retiring to fish and garden at her home in Hot Springs. She and her husband, Bud Willner, volunteered for twelve years through the Local Office on Aging, assisting Medicare recipients with signing up for Medicare Part D plans. She is survived by her husband, Byron "Bud" Willner, daughter Pam Ochs, and son Jeremy Phillips, stepson Scott Willner, and grandchildren Quinn, Nixie and Faelen Ochs Thomas. A celebration of life will be held Saturday October 15 at 11AM at WestWinds Venue 4905 Indian Draft Road, Covington, VA 24426. The family requests those who knew her share memories and pictures on her memorial site at https://everloved.com/life-of/nancy-ochs/. In lieu of flowers donations in her name may be made to the Southern Poverty Law Center. The family would love to know who may be attending the celebration of life - plea...

Carter David Wickline, 17, of 1714 Forrest Hill Ave., Clifton Forge, died on September 3, 2022, at his residence. Mr. Wickline was born on July 26, 2005, in Lexington a son of Chad D. Wickline and Jessica Burks Pullin. 

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather David Wickline; maternal grandparents Ben and Isabelle Schumaker; his great grandparents Jake and Mary E. Snyder; and his uncle David B. Wickline. 

He was a member of the Alleghany High School Class of 2023 as well as the Captain of the Alleghany High School Golf Team. He was a member of the Selma Volunteer Fire Department. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, his family and his friends.

In addition to his mother and father he is survived by his stepmother, Christy Wickline; his mother’s boyfriend, Richie Smith; his stepfather, Patrick Pullin; three bro...

Jacob Harrah “Jake” Harless, 71, of Covington, died, Friday September 2, 2022, at Lewis Gale Alleghany Regional Hospital. Mr. Harless was born on March 4, 1951, in Alleghany County a son of the late John and Eleanor Tingler Harless. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son Jacob “Boots” Harless Jr.; a granddaughter Abby Baker; a son in law Timothy McKoy; a sister Virginia Harless; and a brother John Harless. He was a self-employed mechanic who enjoyed fishing and his number one priority was his family. Surviving are his wife Billie Harless; a son Michael Bess; five daughters Ginny Nalley, Jessica Harris and husband Justin; Sabrina Richardson and husband Dennis; Frances McKoy, and Katrina Shahan all of Covington; ten grandchildren: Jamie Blankenship., Tyler Baker and wife Amiah, Jacob Crawford, Kirsten Weinger, Hailey and Harley Crawford, Ayden Weiger, Allison Crawford, Jacobi McKoy, Paisley Harris, and Noah Richardson; three great grandchildren Saraiyh Baker,...

Sue “Tootsie” Baker Byers, 91, of Covington, Virginia, sadly left us on September 1, 2022. She was able to say goodbye to her family and loved ones before passing peacefully. She was born June 9, 1931, at the family home in Covington, Virginia, the daughter of Lucille Knighton Baker. Sue is survived by her first cousins Carroll Smith, Gordon Shoemaker, Robert Knighton, Nancy Simmons, Susan Curtis, Vicki Callear, Bert Knighton, and many loving family members and friends including her Yorkshire Terrier, Lucie. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Byers, and their son, Richard Byers. Sue worked as a bank teller with the First National Exchange Bank, then with Wachovia Bank. Sue was a member of Mallow Presbyterian Church, where she was highly involved with the congregation. She was a children’s Sunday school teacher, a choir member, a President of the Presbyterian Women, a Bible Moderator of the Women’s Circle, and a mentor to many members of the Mall...

Sharon Ruth Ferguson, 78, of 2316 S. Grass Ave., died, Sunday, August 28, 2022, at her residence. Mrs. Ferguson was born on June 11, 1944, in Burlington City, NJ a daughter of the late James Russell and Ruth Mae Lawrence Kelly. She was an office manager and bookkeeper for R. Kane in New Jersey. She also was the former President of the Burlington City Womans Club as well as the Covington Womans Club and a member of the Garden Club. She was an artist, painter, seamstress, dollmaker, who loved to travel and spend time with her children. She was a decorator, kind, sweet and had a wonderful laugh. In keeping with her wishes her body has been cremated. Surviving are her husband of 50 years John Berkeley Ferguson, four children Jules J. Carcanague of CA., Monica Carcanague of NJ, Jim Carcanague and wife Amanda of NJ and Eric Ferguson and wife Christina of Covington; eight grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; four sisters; and a number of nieces and nephews. A private serv...

James Paul Jamison, 86, of 1303 W. Jackson St., died, Sunday, August 28, 2022, at Lewis Gale Alleghany Regional Hospital. Mr. Jamison was born on March 25, 1936, in Alleghany County a son of the late George Vernor and Jessie Claire Humphries Jamison. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved Wife of 63 years Laura Jean McDonald Jamison in March; two sisters Rosemary Jamison Wilson and Charlotte Bowen Wright; three brothers George Jamison, David "Davy" Jamison, and John Bowen. He served his country in the United States Army and was a machine operator at the former Hercules/ AET plant. He enjoyed taking walks and gardening as well as being an avid outdoorsman. He loved his grand dogs. In keeping with his wishes his body has been cremated. He is survived by his daughter Cecilia Ann Jamison; two sons James Paul Jamison Jr. and wife Karen and David Lee Jamison and Regina Hinkle; two grandchildren Ashley Jamison and Heather Jamison; two great grandchild...

Deborah " Debbie " Ann Hiner , 67 of 100 Sherry May Street, went to be her with Lord and savior, Friday, August 26, 2022 at her residence. She was born February 27, 1955, in Alleghany County, a daughter of the late George "Corky" and Ruby Furry Stogdale. Debbie has served as a Pastor for over 16 years with Holy Word Assembly of God in Fairlea, WV, Troutville Assembly of God in Troutville, and Living Word Assembly of God in Covington. She courageously battled Leukemia for over 16 years. Surviving are her husband of 49 years, Danny Hiner; two sons, Brian Hiner and his wife Jennifer and Shane Hiner and his wife Kathy; two daughters, Chrissy Back and her husband Joe and Amy Scott and her husband Eric; four granddaughters, Summer, Kolby, Shayla and Ilana; four grandsons, Nathan, Josh, Bubba and Seth; two great grandchildren, Hazel and Jackson; two brothers, Wilton Stogdale and Wayne Stogdale; three sisters, Donna Mallozzi, Diana Hazelwood and Deanna Butler; and numerous nieces ...

Ralph Eugene May Sr., 86, of 306 Dairy St., died, Tuesday August 23, 2022, at his residence. Mr. May was born on Jul 10, 1936, in Alleghany County a son of the late Jess and Beulah Andrews May. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters and five brothers. He served in the United State Army. In 1980 he was a mine inspector for the state of Wyoming, he also worked at Back Creek and was in maintenance at the Woodlands and Springs Nursing Homes. He joined the Eden United Methodist Church on April 12, 1981. He loved to play golf and was a caddy at the Homestead for 40 years. He enjoyed playing the lottery and was a Dallas Cowboys fan. In keeping with his wishes his body has been cremated. Surviving are his spouse Linda Lee Johnson May; seven children Eugene May Jr., Rickey May, Debbie Hammer, Missy Shifflett, Scott May, Timothy May, ad Secret Smith; one step daughter; five grandchildren; 2 step grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; four sisters Pat ...

Sybil Marie Hoover, 91, of Covington, died Friday, August 19, 2022 at the Woodlands Health and Rehab Center in Clifton Forge. Ms. Hoover was born January 9, 1931, in Iron Gate, a daughter of the late Floyd and Laura Miller Hoover. Sybil graduated from Covington High School in 1948 and Lincoln Memorial University in 1952. She taught in the Alleghany County Public School system for over 30 years. After retirement, she volunteered at the YMCA as an aquatic exercise instructor for seniors, making many friends along the way. Surviving are her sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Donald Kludy of Lexington; and one niece, Mary Laura Kludy, of Buena Vista. In keeping with Ms. Hoovers wishes, her body has been cremated. A celebration of life will be held on Thursday September 1, 2022, at 11:00 AM at Granbery United Methodist Church in Covington. The family will receive their friends from 10:00AM until service time. A private internment will take place in Mount...

Billy Wayne Williams, 86 of Covington died Thursday August 11, 2022, at Lewis- Gale Alleghany Regional Hospital. He was born February 17, 1936, in Alleghany Co. to the late Hubert Williams and Annie Woodson Williams, other than his parents he was preceded in death by a brother Hubert Williams, Jr. Mr. Williams was retired from Hercules Inc. with forty-one years of service. Surviving are two nephews, Rocky Williams and his wife Sue and Michael "Todd" Williams all of Covington, four nieces; Elizabeth Huguley of Lynchburg, Theresa Bailey and John Lokan of Hot Springs, Suzie Brown and Her husband Mike of Covington, and Patricia Anderson and David Burch of Vancouver; also surviving are number of great niece and nephews. A funeral service will be held Monday at 2:00 PM in the Arritt Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Bill Gilliland officiating. The interment will be made in Cedar Hill Cemetery. The family will receive their friends one hour before service. Arrangements a...

Robert Stephen Russell, 74, of 542 E. Dolly Ann Dr., died Wednesday, August 10, 2022 at his residence. 

He was born May 2, 1948, in Washington D.C., a son of the late Fredrick Russell and Clara Naylor Russell. Mr. Russell served in the United States Army and was a retired police officer with the Maryland-National Capital Park Police Department for over twenty-five years. 

He is survived by his son, Corey Russell and his wife Jenna of Huntington, MD; one daughter, Carrie Russell-Hargrove and Husband Paul of Austin TX; four grandchildren, Isabella Russell, Gianna Russell, Grayson Russell, and Camden Russell; two sisters, Vivian Brownlee of Winchester and Gail Timon of Staunton; and a number of nieces and nephews. 

In keeping with his wishes his body has been cremated. A memorial service will be held at a later...

Vernon Eugene Quantz, 83, of 1509 Dunbrack Rd., died, Sunday August 7, 2022, at Lewis Gale Alleghany Regional Hospital in Low Moor. Mr. Quantz was born in Rowan County, NC a son of the late John S. and Bertha Freeze Quantz. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by the mother of his Children Marilyn June James Quantz; two brothers Percy and Norman Quantz; a daughter of his wife Janet Melvin, a son in law to his wife Dale Lowry Sr. and a nephew James Quantz. He served in the United States Navy and was a farm property manager. He was a member of the Mensa International Group. During his life he was employed by many different companies: Texas Instruments, Honeywell, Braniff International Airways, Measure-X software Company, and of more recent he was the owner and operator of Vernon E. Quantz Excavating. He was a very intelligent individual who loved wood crafting and working with his heavy equipment. Surviving are his wife of 35 years Eunice Bailey Carter Quantz of...