Obituaries

Thornton O. Shinault, 81, of 204 Paynes Grade, died, Monday March 7, 2022, at his residence. Mr. Shinault was born August 13, 1940, in Bath County, a son of the late Theral O. and Maxine McElwee Shinault. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother Charles Shinault. He was a graduate of the class of 1958 from Covington High School and an assistant manager for the Kroger Corporation in Covington and Clifton Forge for 39 years. He was a member of Mallow Presbyterian Church. Thornton was a member of the NRA and the McLaughlin Hunt Club. He enjoyed NASCAR and was a ford fan all the way, he enjoyed the outdoors, gardening, and working on his vehicles. He was a loving family man. Surviving are his wife of 58 years Peggy Powell Shinault, a daughter Jennifer Lee and husband Paul, a son Ricky Shinault and wife Angie all of Covington, a grandson Cory Shinault of Orlando, FL, his beloved cat Sam, and a number of nieces, nephews, and his extended Shinault and Powell Family. ...

Paul Scott Smith, 79, of 221 Dusty Rd., died, Friday February 25, 2022, at his residence. Mr. Smith was born April 8, 1942, in Bath County, a son of the late George Willard and Sylvia Helen Keith Smith. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Alfred and Tommy Smith, and a nephew Scott Smith. Paul graduated from Valley High School in 1960. After graduation he went to work for Dupont in Waynesboro. It was then that he met the love of his life Donna Lafferty Smith who he has been married to for 58 years. he then returned to Bath County to help his father, George, and brother Tommy, start a construction business. Paul worked as Recreation Director for 3 years and coached Little League Football. He was always known as "Daddy Paul". Along with working at the Vocational School he taught Industrial Arts at Valley Elementary and Millboro Elementary School. He also served as Athletic Director for 5 years. during his 30 years at the High School, he coached 8th Grade...

Steven Leon Nida, 55, of 1604 Westwood Dr., died, Tuesday February 22, 2022, at Lewis Gale Alleghany Regional Hospital in Low Moor. Mr. Nida was born March 14, 1966, in Alleghany County the son of Phyllis Harris Nida and the late Bobby Leon Nida. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a sister Connie Back. He was employed at Westrock for 29 years as an oiler and was an avid outdoorsman. Surviving in addition to his mother of Covington are his wife Brindi Hamrick Nida, of Covington; two sons Cody Nida and wife Katie of Covington and Zach Nida of White Sulphur Springs, WV; two grandsons Colt and Case Nida; a stepdaughter Ava Anderson of Covington; a stepson Hayden Anderson of Lewisburg, WV; a sister Christy Woody of Natural Bridge; his beloved dog Bugsy; and a number of nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held on Saturday February 26, 2022, at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Arritt Funeral Home with the Rev. Norman Harris officiating. The interment will follow in Lone...

James Mays Jr. James Talmandge Mays, Jr., 70, died, February 8, 2022, at his sister's residence in Stuarts Draft. Mr. Mays was born November 28, 1951, in Alleghany County the son of the late James T. Mays Jr. and Gladys Huffman Mays. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Susan Nicely. He was an employee of the H&O Canfield and a member of the Town Council of Iron Gate. Surviving are his two sisters Janet Saunders of Stuarts Draft and Peggy Lamdram of Eagle Rock; two nephews Johnny Lamdram and Corey Lamdram of Eagle Rock; a niece Yvonne Brannon of Roanoke; and a number of great nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held on Monday February 14, 2022, at 2:00 PM in Alleghany Memorial Park Cemetery with the Pastor David Hanks officiating. The family will receive their friends on Monday from 12:30 PM until 1:30 PM at Arritt Funeral Home. The interment will follow in Alleghany Memorial Park. The funeral arrangements are being handled by ...

James Mays Jr. James Talmandge Mays, Jr., 70, died, February 8, 2022, at his sister's residence in Stuarts Draft. Mr. Mays was born November 28, 1951, in Alleghany County the son of the late James T. Mays Jr. and Gladys Huffman Mays. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Susan Nicely. He was an employee of the H&O Canfield and a member of the Town Council of Iron Gate. Surviving are his two sisters Janet Saunders of Stuarts Draft and Peggy Lamdram of Eagle Rock; two nephews Johnny Lamdram and Corey Lamdram of Eagle Rock; a niece Yvonne Brannon of Roanoke; and a number of great nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held on Monday February 14, 2022, at 2:00 PM in Alleghany Memorial Park Cemetery with the Pastor David Hanks officiating. The family will receive their friends on Monday from 12:30 PM until 1:30 PM at Arritt Funeral Home. The interment will follow in Alleghany Memorial Park. The funeral arrangements are being handled by Arritt Funeral H...

Wyleman Randolph Lucado died on February 6, 2022, at his residence in Clifton Forge. Wyleman was born July 2, 1938, in Virginia, the son of the late Percy and Annie Lucado. Wyleman retired from MeadWestvaco in 2002 as a millwright. He served in the National Guard and the Army Reserve for a number of years. Wyleman was preceded in death by his parents, Percy and Annie Lucado. He is survived by his daughters Kim Via, and husband Bobby, of Covington and Kelli and Pete Brearley, of Midlothian, Virginia; Four grandchildren Brandon Via, Katelyn Via, Sydney Brearley, and Owen Brearley; and one great grandchild, Brantlee Via. Keeping with his wishes his body will be cremated. A funeral service will be held at a later date....

Gladys Helen Conatser Linton, 96, resident of Covington, Virginia for 75 years went to heaven on Saturday, February 5, 2022 with her son, John, and grandson, Matthew by her side in Woodbridge, VA. Gladys was born on April 5, 1925 to Lewis and Gertrude Conatser in Scott County, Tennessee. Gladys was one of ten children and enjoyed being a sister. She moved to Covington when she was 17 years old and met her husband, John "Ralph" Linton. Ralph and Gladys were married for 57 years and raised two sons between them, Lewis and John. Gladys adored her community, family, friends, wonderful neighbors, and was proud of her work in the obstetrics unit at the former Alleghany Regional Hospital in Low Moor, VA. Post retirement, she served as a hospital auxiliary member for many years, active member of the "Busy Bees" at Edgemont ARP Presbyterian before moving to Woodbridge, Virginia in 2016. In Woodbridge, Gladys lived with her son, John, and served as the Executive Secretary of L&Y Electronics Inc...

Randolph Smith Brewster, 67, of 200 Railroad Ave, Iron Gate, died, Friday February 4, 2022, in Lewis Gale Alleghany Regional Hospital in Low Moor. Mr. Brewster was born June 8, 1954, in Alleghany County a son of the late Glenn Edwin and Alice Plott Brewster. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife in 2019 Darlene Kay Wilson Brewster and a brother Michael Brewster Sr. He served in the United States Army and was a truck driver for Branch Highways. Surviving are his daughter Randi Brewster of Salem; two sisters Rita Nida and husband Ronnie and Glenda Wright; five brothers Harold Brewster Sr. and wife Jewel, Jerry Brewster Sr. and wife Phyllis, Larry Brewster Sr. and wife Shelia, Joseph Brewster Sr. and wife Lucy all of Covington, Danny Brewster Sr. and wife Sandi of Staunton; a special friend Earl Childs of Fredericksburg; and a number of nieces and nephews. In keeping with his wishes his body has been cremated. A service will be held at a later date. The funeral...

Bridgett Armentrout-Edwards went to be with her Lord and Savior February 3, 2022 at home in Covington. Bridgett was born November 19,1959 in Virginia the daughter of Ruth and Winston Armentrout. She was married to the love of her life, Matt Edwards, for 31 years. Bridgett was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents "Daddy Bob" and Grandma (Anna), and all her aunts and uncles. In addition to her husband Matt, she is survived by her cousin Robin Armentrout daughter of her deceased uncle Norris Armentrout, and several other cousins. Bridgett had a close-knit circle of friends whom she called brothers and sisters. Her cancer care partner Tab Broce, his wife Angie Broce and their family of Hot Springs; cousin Frances K White, her husband Jeff of Houston; Pam and Glenn Corson of Cincinnati; Deborah Powers of Verona and Beth Kidd of Waynesboro. Many people took special care of Bridgett through this journey including cousin Beverly Pack, Teenie and Warren Kegley and caregivers Connie R...

Richard Grant Fridley Sr., 75, of 100 Nicholas Dr., died, Thursday February 3, 2022, at Lewis Gale Alleghany Regional Hospital in Low Moor. Mr. Fridley was born on December 23, 1946, in Covington a son of the late Russell Grant and Cora Virginia Humphries Fridley. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife in 2018 Cynthia Marie Leech Fridley. He worked at Hercules and retired from the maintenance at Philip Morris USA in Richmond. He was an avid outdoorsman. Surviving are his daughter Teresa Fridley; a son Richard Fridley Jr. all of Clifton Forge; a sister Patricia Ann Fridley of Richmond. In keeping with his wishes his body has been cremated. A service will be held on Monday February 28, 2022, at 6:00 PM in the Chapel of Arritt Funeral Home with the Rev. Edith Snedegar officiating. The family will receive their friends following the service on Monday. The funeral arrangements are being handled by Arritt Funeral Home. Service Monday, February 28, 2022 12:33 A...

Tricia Scott Downer, age 63, of Wilmington, NC passed away on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC. Tragically, Tricia's husband and love of her life, Ronald Downer, passed away just two days prior. Their love story was meant to last through eternity - Ronnie welcomed her with open arms. She was born on November 30, 1958 in Covington, VA to the late Harry Edwards Scott and Mary Wonders Scott. After spending most of her life in Covington, VA, Tricia and Ronnie moved to Wilmington, NC. Tricia was a very caring and hard-working person who would do anything for anyone. She was strong in her faith and was a member of Lifepoint Church in Wilmington. Tricia enjoyed sitting on Carolina Beach and spending time with her husband, grandbabies and her dog, Lola. She especially loved the Christmas season. Tricia was an amazing mom who loved her family very much and she will be dearly missed. Tricia is survived by her son, Joshua Downer and wife, Keri; ...

Ronald (Ronnie) Evans Downer, Jr., age 63, of Wilmington, NC passed away on Thursday, January 27, 2022 at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC. Tragically, Ronnie's wife and love of his life, Tricia Downer, passed away two days after. Their love story was meant to last through eternity as Ronnie was there to welcome her with open arms. He was born on July 11, 1958 in Covington, VA to Mary Davis Downer and the late Ronald Evans Downer. In addition to his father, Ronnie was preceded in death by his brother, Chris Downer. Ronnie spent most of his life in Covington, VA. After retiring from Mead Westvaco Paper Mill, Ronnie and Tricia moved to Wilmington, NC. Ronnie was a compassionate man who would help anyone out and do anything for a stranger. He was a member of Lifepoint Church in Wilmington and was strong in his faith. Ronnie enjoyed spending time with his wife, grandbabies, his dog, Lola, and his 1971 Barracuda. He also liked visiting the beach, being outdoors, dancin...