Obituaries

Frances Mae Holcomb Smith, 79, of 429 Grande Rd., died, Sunday March 27, 2022, at the Woodland Health and Rehab Center. Mrs. Smith was born on September 6, 1942, in Greenbrier County, WV a daughter to the late Theodore F. and Ruth Sydenstricker Holcomb. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband William Smith in 2021, and a son Gary Smith. She was a cafeteria worker for the Covington City School system and a former member of the First Church of the Nazarene. She enjoyed playing bingo and going to flea markets. She is survived by three sons Willie Smith and wife Jeannie, Delbert Smith all of Covington, and Dickey Smith and wife Missy of PA; five grandchildren Keith Brown, Daniel Brown, Brian Smith, Andrew Smith, and D.J. Smith; three great grandchildren; a sister Marina Plecker of Covington; a brother Joe Holcomb and wife Janet of Catawba; and nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday March 30, 2022, at 1:00 PM in the Chapel of Arritt Fun...

Vickie Fridley Blackburn, 67, of 4016 Callaghan Circle, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on March 22, 2022, at the University of Virginia Medical Center. Mrs. Blackburn was born on March 2, 1955, in Alleghany County, the daughter of the late Jack London and Dorothy Smith Fridley. She was employed by LewisGale Hospital-Alleghany as a Radiology Supervisor and was a member of Fletcher Chapel United Methodist Church. In her spare time, she enjoyed gardening, mushroom hunting, watching scary movies, and playing with her grandbabies. Surviving are two daughters, Heather George and husband Chris, and Holly Lowry and husband Dale Jr.; six grandchildren, London Critzer, Maddy Lowry, Zane George, Raelyn Lowry, Mercy George, and Vada Lowry; three brothers, Hunter Fridley and wife Libby, Rob Fridley and wife Emma and Neal Fridley and wife Leona; a special son, Clayton Younger of Washington; a number of nieces and nephews; and her beloved dog, Rico. A private graveside service will be h...

Roland Augustine "Stacy" Jeter Sr., 58, of 207 Rear E. Chestnut St., died, Saturday March 19, 2022, at his residence. Mr. Jeter was born May 27, 1963, in Covington a son of the late Armistead and Doris Chapman Jeter. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters Gloria Jeter and Brenda Brown; four brother Curtis Jeter, Armistead Jeter Jr., David Jeter, and Roderick Jeter; and a nephew Carlos Jeter. He was employed at Webb Plumbing, Heat, & Air and former employee at Nickell Electric. He was a member of Pine Street Baptist Church, a member of the NRA, and a Pittsburg Steeler Fan. Surviving are his daughter Shantell Vipperman and husband Johnny Childress; a son Roland A. Jeter Jr.; a special friend Kim Myer; six grandchildren Wylow Childress, Graeson Childress, Casyn Osborne, Dawson Nida, Alane Nida, and Joshua Bush, three sisters Delores Jordan and husband Lloyd of Fort Mead, MD, Rev. Claudette Stewart of Burton, TX, and Donna Winnings of Covington; seven brothers...

Laura Marie Shaffier, 44, formerly of Warm Springs, died March 18, 2022. Ms. Shaffier was born on June 3, 1977, in Bath County, a daughter of Carl "Eddie" and Linda Cauley Shaffier. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Julian Shaffier and maternal grandparents, Annie and Earl Cauley, Sr. Laura was a member of Lifeline Ministries in Hot Springs. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her daughter, Sydney (Christian) Jessee of Covington; a son, Brayden Gillispie of Rainelle, WV; six grandchildren, Oaklynn Gillispie, Leighton Gillispie, Mayzee Gillispie, Raven Gillispie, McKinley Jessee, and Maverick Jessee; a sister, Marsha (Bart) Perdue of Warm Springs; paternal grandmother, Peggy Shaffier of Warm Springs; nieces and nephews, Faith May, Hope May, Owen Perdue, and Cade Perdue; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. A memorial service will be held on Saturday March 26, 2022, at 1:00 PM at Lifeline Ministries in Hot Springs with the Pastor Zach Royer officiatin...

Margaret Owens Deane, 85, of Covington, VA, passed away Tuesday, March 15, 2022, in Bridgewater, VA. She was born to the late John J. Owens and Symilda (Mildred) R. Owens at Hematite, VA, on September 25, 1936. She was the seventh of eight children. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Charles J. Deane, Sr., and a son, Charles J. Deane, Jr. Surviving are her son, John H. Deane (Cheri) of Reidsville, NC and her daughter, Catherine E. Deane of Bridgewater, VA. Also surviving are siblings James E. Owens of Lenexa, KN, and Betty O. Cummings of Waynesboro, VA, and grandchildren Charles J. Deane, III, of Salem, VA, Jennifer L. Deane of San Diego, CA, Lauren D. Reagan (Will) of Wilmington, NC. Margaret also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews as well as three great grandchildren and longtime family friends Nancy Hodge of Hot Springs, VA, Tiffany Sanders (Mike) of Covington, Donna & Morty Mauck of Daleville, VA, and many treasured neighbors. The family would like t...

Toney Stuart Poulston Jr., 42, of 8121 Potts Creek Rd., died, Monday March 14, 2022. Mr. Poulston was born on January 5, 1980, in Richmond a son of Jill Miles Paxton and the late Toney S. Poulston Sr. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his stepfather Randall L. Paxton. He was a former lineman and self-employed contractor. He enjoyed hunting, racing dirt bikes, and the outdoors. He is survived by his mother Jill Miles Paxton of Covington; a daughter Evangelina "Eva" Stanley Poulston; his grandmother Judy Miles of Chester; his grandfather Walter Miles of Richmond. In keeping with his wishes his body has been cremated. A service will be held on Saturday March 19, 2022, at 1:00 PM in the Chapel of Arritt Funeral Home with the Rev. David Brown officiating. Interment will be at a later date in Richmond. The funeral arrangements are being handled by Arritt Funeral Home. Service Saturday, March 19, 2022 12:33 AM Arritt Funeral Home Chapel 1102 S. Highland Ave. Covin...

Randall Lee "Randy" Paxton, 64, of 8121 Potts Creek Rd., died, Monday March 14, 2022. Mr. Paxton was born on August 16, 1957, in Alleghany County a son of the late Hubert Isaac and Loretta King Paxton. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a stepson Toney S. Poulston Jr. He was a truck driver all his life and had retired from Garten Trucking. He was employed by Covington Farm and Fuel at the time of his passing. He was an avid outdoorsman, loved cleaning vehicles, working and was very organized. Surviving are his wife Jill Miles Paxton of Covington; granddaughter Evangelina "Eva" Stanley Poulston of Covington; a brother Mike Paxton of Sweet Springs, WV; a mother in law Judy Miles of Chester; a father in law Walter Miles; of Richmond; a cousin Ricky Armentrout of Angier, NC; and his beloved dog Diesel. A funeral service will be held on Saturday March 19, 2022, at 1:00 PM in the Chapel of Arritt Funeral Home with the Rev. David Brown officiating. The interment will fol...

Toney Stuart Poulston Jr., 42, of 8121 Potts Creek Rd., died, Monday March 14, 2022. Mr. Poulston was born on January 5, 1980, in Richmond a son of Jill Miles Paxton and the late Toney S. Poulston Sr. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his stepfather Randall L. Paxton. He was a former lineman and self-employed contractor. He enjoyed hunting, racing dirt bikes, and the outdoors. He is survived by his mother Jill Miles Paxton of Covington; a daughter Evangelina "Eva" Stanley Poulston; his grandmother Judy Miles of Chester; his grandfather Walter Miles of Richmond. In keeping with his wishes his body has been cremated. A service will be held on Saturday March 19, 2022, at 1:00 PM in the Chapel of Arritt Funeral Home with the Rev. David Brown officiating. Interment will be at a later date in Richmond. The funeral arrangements are being handled by Arritt Funeral Home. Service Information Date: Saturday, March 19, 2022 Time: 3/19/2...

Phyllis Jean Sampson Vance, 91, of 6724 Ogle Creek Rd., died, Sunday March 13, 2022, at her residence. Mrs. Vance was born April 10, 1930, in Covington a daughter of the late Leonard Eugene and Viola Elizabeth Howard Sampson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Emmanuel Mason Vance and her brother Robert Sampson. She started her nursing career at the C&O Hospital in Rosedale and become a registered nursing as well as she worked at the Brian Center Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Low Moor and become a private sitter in her later years. She was a member of Faith Baptist Church and enjoyed playing games with family and loved trips and traveling. In keeping with her wishes her body has been cremated. Surviving are her special friend and companion Tommy Walker; a daughter Deb Tucker and husband Harry; a son Chris Vance and wife Vickie; four grandchildren Daniel Vance and wife Hannah, Cody Tucker and wife Cassandra, Caleb Vance, and Nehemiah Vance; five...

Angela Holestin Ambrose, 63, of 118 N. Wills Ave., died, Saturday March 12, 2022, at her residence. Mrs. Ambrose was born on July 10, 1958, Covington a daughter of Gomer Holestin and the late Effie Marie Craft Holestin. In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by her husband Michael John Ambrose; a sister Susie Holestin Allard and a brother-in-law Robert Ambrose. She worked at the Brian Center Rehabilitation and Nursing Center as a Cook. She loved cooking, bingo, and being with her family. Surviving in addition to her father are two daughters Dana Holestin and April Craighead and husband Lorenzo; a son Joshua Ambrose and wife Ashley; six grandchildren Audrey Holestin and boyfriend Isaac Campos of Covington, Seth Krupnik of Dallas, TX, Alivia Krupnik of Dallas TX, Zykera Edwards and Danti Edward Jr. both of Clifton Forge, Anastasia Ambrose of Covington; two sisters Sandy Rothwell and husband Bryan and Sharon Givens and husband Mike, five brothers Greg Holestin and wife Judy...

Cecil P. Jordan Sr., 84, of 1609 E. Dolly Ann Dr., died, Monday March 7, 2022, at LewisGale-Alleghany Regional Hospital in Low Moor. Mr. Jordan was born October 20, 1937, in Covington, a son of the late Clarence and Margret Jordan. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Tammy Rochelle Jordan; five brothers Lorenzo ‘Peto' Jordan, Lawrence ‘Uncle Buck' Jordan, Bernard Jordan, Wallace Jordan, and Clearance Jordan, Jr.; three sisters Christine Quarles, Annie B. Clark, and Rose White; one son-in-law, Roderick Jeter, Sr. He was a hardworking man and a great provider. He started work at 8 years old. In his younger years he worked as a farm hand, dishwasher, waiter at the Homestead, painter, chopped wood and worked at the liquor store. He even transported horses to Casey field for Maj. Burns and back to the old fairground. He worked at Hercules for 17 years and retired from Westvaco on January 1, 2010, where he worked for 26 years. He made many friends bot...

Cecil P. Jordan Sr., 84, of 1609 E. Dolly Ann Dr., died, Monday March 7, 2022, at LewisGale-Alleghany Regional Hospital in Low Moor. Mr. Jordan was born October 20, 1937, in Covington, a son of the late Clarence and Margret Jordan. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Tammy Rochelle Jordan; five brothers Lorenzo ‘Peto' Jordan, Lawrence ‘Uncle Buck' Jordan, Bernard Jordan, Wallace Jordan, and Clearance Jordan, Jr.; three sisters Christine Quarles, Annie B. Clark, and Rose White; one son-in-law, Roderick Jeter, Sr. He was a hardworking man and a great provider. He started work at 8 years old. In his younger years he worked as a farm hand, dishwasher, waiter at the Homestead, painter, chopped wood and worked at the liquor store. He even transported horses to Casey field for Maj. Burns and back to the old fairground. He worked at Hercules for 17 years and retired from Westvaco on January 1, 2010, where he worked for 26 years. He made many friends both young ...