Obituaries

Carole Jean Persinger Campbell,79, of Covington went to meet her Lord and Savior on Monday, January 10, 2022, at Augusta Health in Fishersville, following a long battle with cancer. She was born on August 1, 1942, in Covington, the daughter of the late James Roscoe and Lois Cale Persinger. Carole gained the most joy in life from her family as well as her love of God and her church. She played piano for Moss Run Baptist for many years. Throughout her prolong illness her faith as well as encouragement of family and friends were a constant support to her. Surviving are her husband, constant companion and best friend of 53 years Garland Edward Campbell of Covington, a son Garland Adam Campbell, MD and his wife Angela Best-Campbell of Waynesboro, VA. A celebration of Carole's life will be held at 1:00 PM Thursday January 13, 2022, at Moss Run Baptist Church with the Rev. Frank Sizemore officiating, assisted by the Rev. Lynn Wright. The interment will be made in Fletcher Chapel Cemetery. Th...

Donald Martin Doak, 54, of Shenandoah, died, Saturday January 8, 2022, at his residence. He was born January 27, 1967, in Baltimore MD, he was the son of the late Ernest and Dorothy Conroy Doak. Donald loved being around his family and racing. He is survived by a son Caleb Doak of FL and special friend Linda Raffo of Shenandoah. In keeping with his wishes his body has been cremated. A service will be held at a later. Arrangements are being handled Arritt Funeral Home....

Rena Oliver Claytor, 73, formally of Fredericksburg and Covington native died at the Woodlands Health and Rehab Center on Friday, January 7, 2022. Mrs. Claytor was born June 16, 1948, in Covington a daughter of the late Sidney E. and Virginia Lambert Oliver. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Claytor, in 2018, and a sister-in-law Linda Oliver, Brother-in-law Steve Hoke Surviving are her daughter Rana Claytor Buchanan and husband Dean; a grandson Justis Beverly all of Fredericksburg; three brothers, Tom Oliver of Clifton Forge, James Oliver and wife Diane of TN; and Roger Oliver and wife Dixie of Covington; two sisters-in-law Barbara Trail and husband Henry of Roanoke and Kristie Claytor of Troutville; and a number of nieces and nephews. She was a member of Calvary Christian Church. A funeral service will be held on Friday January 14, 2022, at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of Arritt Funeral Home with the Rev. Mike Warren officiating. The family will ...

Theda Sylvia Childs Bess, 94, of 211 E. Gray St., died, Wednesday January 5, 2022, at her residence. Mrs. Bess was born December 22, 1927, in Alleghany Co. a daughter of the late Harrison McKinley and Arena Myrtle Tingler Childs. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband in 2006 Ernest Roscoe Bess; and a sister Celia Maude Childs Ginn. She was a graduate of Covington High School and worked as a secretary for the FBI in Washington for a time. She retired in 1992 as a secretary for the Westvaco and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loved to square and line dance as well as loved animals and served diligently in her callings to the church. She was very willing to help those who were less fortunate. Surviving are her special close friends James Arritt and wife Jeanie; longtime caretakers Brenda Bogar and Twila Boyd. A funeral service will be held on Saturday January 8, 2022, at 3:00 PM in Chapel of Arritt Funeral Home with the ...

Michael Lee Winnings, 61, of 2032 S. Lee St., died, Tuesday January 4, 2022, at his residence. He was born on April 19, 1960, in Greenbrier Co. WV. a son of the late Harold M. Winnings. Sr. and Leona Gray Ross. Michael served in the United States Navy for eleven years, and he worked for Little Debbie Cake Co., also a former employee of Walmart. Surviving are his wife Donna Jeter Winnings of Covington, a son Tony Jeter of Covington, a daughter Michelle Epps of Roanoke, 4 grandchildren Isaiah Epps, Tamaria Epps, Saniaya Epps all of Roanoke and Corey Jeter of Covington, three bothers Larry Winnings of Newport News, Harold Winnings and Terry Winnings all Charleston, WV. one sister Brenda Barnes of Wilmington, NC. And number of nieces and nephews. In keeping with his wishes, his body has been cremated. A memorial service will be held Saturday January 8, 2022, 12:00 PM in the Arritt Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Stephanie Clark officiating. Arrangements are being handle by Arritt Funeral Ho...

Peggy Wolfe Blankenship, 78, of Covington, Virginia died Sunday January 2, 2021, at Raleigh Court Health & Rehabilitation Center in Roanoke, Virginia. She was born February 1, 1943, in Alleghany County to Walter E. and Mildred Rose Wolfe. She was preceded in death by her parents as well as her husband Gerald E. "Jerry" Blankenship who died in 2017. Peggy had worked at Walmart as a greeter, and she loved going to the Covington Lumberjacks baseball games. Surviving are her brother Ryland E. Wolfe and his wife Marylen of Clifton Forge, nephew Billy Warnock and his wife Mimi of Boones Mill, along with great-nephews. The funeral service will be held 1:00 PM Friday, January 7, 2022, in the Arritt Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Bill Gilliland officiating. The interment will follow in the Johnson Creek ARP Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour before the service. Arrangements are being handled by Arritt Funeral Home. Service Friday, January 7, 2022 12:33 AM Arritt...

Michael Lee Jackson, 47, of 403 Lauren Kay Lane, died, Thursday December 30, 2021, at Lewis Gale Alleghany Regional Hospital in Low Moor. Mr. Jackson was born on January 10, 1974, in Covington a son of the late Linda Overton Miller and was raised by William Miller. He was a truck driver for ConRock and a delivery driver of Advance Auto. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved the Redskins and NASCAR with his favorite driver being Ryan Newman. In keeping with his wishes his body has been cremated. Surviving are his son Brandon Jackson and Marissa Selleck of Covington; three sister Trish Miller of Covington, Samantha Linthicum of Floyd Co., and Christie Tucker of Clifton Forge; a Cousin Scotty Fridley, and a number of nieces and nephews to include William Tucker. A graveside service will be held on January 6, 2022, at 2:00 PM in Cedar Hill Cemetery with the Rev. David Brown officiating. Friends and family may assemble at Arritt Funeral Home by 1:30PM on Thursday to proceed to the cemetery ...

David Neal White, 60, of 1923 S. Lee Ave., died, Sunday December 26, 2021, at the Greenbrier Valley Medical Center in Ronceverte, WV. Mr. White was born on September 12, 1961, in Lexington, a son of the late Rodney and Louise Overhulser White. He worked for over 30 years at the Mohawk Industries Inc as a planner and was a member of Freedom Church in Lexington. He loved movies, gardening, going to the beach, and especially his Children and Grandchildren. Surviving are his wife of 39.5 years Janice Glassford White of Covington; a daughter Ashley Wilhelm and husband Brandon of Clifton Forge; a son Brandon White and fianc Erica Thomas of Covington; three grandchildren Autumn Wilhelm, Destiny White, and Seth White; a sister Karen Bowyer and husband Billy of Natural Bridge; one niece and one nephew; and his devoted loving church family. In keeping with his wishes, his body has been cremated. A funeral service will be held on Sunday January 2, 2022, at 2:00 PM at Freedom Church in Lexington ...

Ellen Sue Ward, 57, of 116 Chestnut St., died, Saturday December 25, 2021, at her residence. Miss Ward was born March 5, 1964, in Alleghany County a daughter of the late Arnold and Irene Lucas Ward. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers Clayton Ward and Bobby Ward. She worked for 22 years at Walmart. Surviving are her twin sister Mae Ward; three brothers Billy Ward and wife Donna, Roger Ward and wife Lori, and Wayne Ward all of Covington; a step brother Arnold Lucas of Monroe County, WV; a sister in law Jill Ward of Augusta County; her Walmart family; a special friend Jerry Meadows; and a special niece Savanna Ward; and a number of other nieces and nephews. In keeping with her wishes her body has been cremated. A private service will be held at a later date. The family suggests memorial contributions in Miss Ward's name be made to the National Brain Tumor Society at 55 Chapel St., Suite 200, Newton, MA 02458. The funeral arrangements are being handled b...

Jack Wallace Smith, 84, of Covington, died, Monday, December 20, 2021, at the Brian Center in Low Moor. Mr. Smith was born June 22, 1937, in Alleghany County, a son of the late Mason Peter and Rebecca Byer Smith. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Rodney Mason Smith. Jack worked at Hercules, Inc until 1980. He was a member of Living Stones Ministries. He loved to tinker with things in his shop and took pride in keeping his tools organized and in good working condition. In his spare time, he enjoyed going to revivals and gospel concerts. Jack loved his family and was especially proud of his grandchildren. Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Dallas O'Conner Smith, of Covington; a son, Jackie L. Smith and wife Teresa; two daughters, Dawn Smith and husband Leonard Smith Jr, and Debbie Rybitski, all of Covington; six grandchildren; Jill Smith Doane and husband John, Kara Smith and Christopher Solomon, Erin Smith, Christopher Rybitski and Batul Rizvi, Andrew ...

Betty Tingler Arthur, 89, of 103 Mountain Lake Dr., died, Monday December 20, 2021, at her residence. Mrs. Arthur was born September 1, 1932, in Alleghany County a daughter of the late Jesse and Bertha Nida Tingler. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Eugene W. "Gene" Arthur in 1991; two brothers Melvin P. "Monk" Tingler and Randall D. "Bun" Tingler. She was a business owner of the Kountry Korners and a member of Granbery Memorial UMC. A Loving wife, mother, and MeeMaw who enjoyed playing instruments and singing as well as fishing on the coast. Surviving are her son Stephen Arthur of Covington; a daughter Gina Arthur of Richmond; three grandchildren Faith Maureen Arthur, David Gene Arthur, and Hope Noel Arthur; mother of her grandchildren Cynthia Brown Arthur; a special caregiver Trevor "Puddin" Nicely; and a number of nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held on Thursday December 23, 2021, at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of Arritt Funeral Home with...

Ralph Oliver Price, 83 of 2019 S. Lee Ave., died, Wednesday December 15, 2021, in the Salem Veterans Medical Center in Salem. Mr. Price was born June 20, 1938, in Covington, the son the late Lacy E. and Violet Mays Price Ford. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter Lisa Fridley; two granddaughters Faith Fridley, and Ellie Wilson, a sister Carolyn Robinson; and a brother Charles Price and his special dog Molly. Ralph retired from AET, Inc and had worked at Hercules, he was member of the Cliff Dale Christian Church. Surviving are his wife Betty Taylor Price of 57 years of Covington; a son Ralph Price of Covington; a daughter Donna Wilson and her husband Gene of Covington; grandchildren and great grandchildren to including Courtney Fridley; Oliva Price; and Layne Fridley; a brother David Price of Jacksonville. FL.; and number of nieces of nephews. In keeping with his wishes his body has been cremated. A family gathering will be Sunday from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM a...