Obituaries

Shirley Ann McAllister Bowyer, 78, of Callaghan, passed away November 10, 2021. Shirley was born September 7, 1943 in Alleghany County, a daughter of the late James Wesley "JW" McAllister and Mazie C. Brackman McAllister. She was retired from Walmart. She had attended Faith Baptist Church. Shirley enjoyed spending time with her family, camping, bowling, and sleeping. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Joe Bowyer, Sr., and her son, Raymond Joe Bowyer, Jr., and Danny Paxton. Along with her mother, Shirley is survived by a daughter, Karen A. Bowyer (Chad Bryant); a brother, James McAllister (Phyllis); a sister, Nancy L. Williams; nieces and nephews, Rhonda Williams (Rodney Boyd), Neal Williams (Julie), Gary McAllister (Carrie), Kathy Summers (Clint), Lisa, Marsha, Tara, Shari, and Thomas; several great nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends, including Donna Kimberlin Paxton. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at 2:...

Shirley Ann McAllister Bowyer, 78, of Callaghan, passed away November 10, 2021. Shirley was born September 7, 1943 in Alleghany County, a daughter of the late James Wesley "JW" McAllister and Mazie C. Brackman McAllister. She was retired from Walmart. She had attended Faith Baptist Church. Shirley enjoyed spending time with her family, camping, bowling, and sleeping. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Joe Bowyer, Sr., and her son, Raymond Joe Bowyer, Jr., and Danny Paxton. Along with her mother, Shirley is survived by a daughter, Karen A. Bowyer (Chad Bryant); a brother, James McAllister (Phyllis); a sister, Nancy L. Williams; nieces and nephews, Rhonda Williams (Rodney Boyd), Neal Williams (Julie), Gary McAllister (Carrie), Kathy Summers (Clint), Lisa, Marsha, Tara, Shari, and Thomas; several great nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends, including Donna Kimberlin Paxton. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, November 17, 20...

Emma Nicole Arthur infant daughter of Nathaniel R. and Amber Bess Arthur passed away on November 6, 2021, at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. She was born on November 6, 2021, in Roanoke. She is preceded in death by her maternal great grandfather Norman Bess, and Paternal great grandparents John and Dorothy Hepler, and Rachel I. Redman. In addition to her parents, she is survived by a sister Chloe Arthur of Covington; Maternal grandparents David and Lorie Bess, Paternal grandparents Bernie and Rachel Arthur all of Covington; Maternal Great grandparents Reginald and Connie Craft of Concord and Linda Bess of Covington; Paternal Great grandfather Paul C. Redman of Clifton Forge; Aunt and Uncles: Bervie Arthur, Kayla Bess both of Covington, and Joshua Bess of Fincastle. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday November 10, 2021, at 3:30 PM in Lone Star Cemetery with the Rev. Bill Hartsfield officiating. The funeral arrangements are being handled by Arritt Funeral Home. Cemetery...

Donna Linton Clarkson 70, of Paint Bank, passed away Tuesday, November 2, 2021, at her residence. She was born on March 12, 1951, in Craig County, a daughter of late Vernon G. and Fleda Vaught Linton. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Curtis Linton in 2018; and two sisters, Hazel Hinton in 1997 and Alma Akers in 2020. Donna worked at the Paint Bank Post Office for number of years as OIC. She was a lifetime member of the Paint Bank United Methodist Church and charter member of the Paint Bank Fire and Rescue Ladies Auxillary. Surviving are her husband of 48 years, Roger L. Clarkson of Paint Bank; one son, Scott Clarkson and his wife Kari of Salem; two grandchildren, Tyler Clarkson and Hailey Clarkson of Salem; two sisters, Allene Baker of Paint Bank and Shirley Nida and her husband Johnny of Covington; and a number nieces and nephews. In keeping with her wishes her body has been cremated. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, November 6,...

Shirley Hostetter Ferris, 88, of 614 N. Augusta Ave., died, Monday November 1, 2021, at Lewis Gale Alleghany Regional Hospital. Mrs. Ferris was born May 21, 1933, in Covington a daughter of the late Samuel and Mary Adelaide Callahan Hostetter. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Russell W. Ferris in 2005; one sister; and one brother. She retired in 2012 after 30 years as the owner and operator of Shirley's Ceramics. She was a member of McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church. In keeping with her wishes her body has been cremated. Surviving are her four sons Gary Ferris of Hope Mills, NC, Garland Ferris, Michael Ferris and wife Vicki, and Alan Ferris and wife Cindy all of Covington; three grandchildren Stephanie Barclay of Browns Summit, NC. Christopher Ferris of Roanoke, and Madison Ferris of Covington. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday November 30, 2021, at 11:00 AM in Alleghany Memorial Park with the Rev. Jim Moss officiating. The funeral a...

Todd Wayne Botkin, 53, of 102 Whitney Rd., died, Monday, November 1, 2021, at Lewis Gale-Alleghany Hospital in Low Moor. Mr. Botkin was born September 27, 1968, in Alleghany County a son of the late Cletus "Buddy" and Gail Ford Botkin. He was the former manager of KFC for 20 years and he loved to do woodworking. Surviving are his wife of 31 years, Debra Hall Botkin; a son, Josh Botkin; a brother, Tony Botkin and wife Debie; four sisters: Lisa Botkin, Sherry Blake and husband Don, and Jeanie Porterfield all of Covington, and Becky Hise and husband, John, of Hot Springs and a number of nieces and nephews. The graveside service will be held on Saturday, November 6, 2021, at 2:00 PM in Cedar Hill Cemetery with the Pastor Steve Noel officiating. The family will receive their friends from 12:30 PM until 1:30 PM on Saturday at Arritt Funeral Home. The funeral arrangements are being handled by Arritt Funeral Home. Cemetery Information Saturday, November 6, 2021 Cedar Hill Cemetery 1521...

William McKinley Smith, 74, of 429 Grande Rd., died, Saturday October 30, 2021, at his residence. Mr. Smith was born February 18, 1947, in Alleghany County a son of the late Emmett and Eleanor Bennett Smith. In addition to is parents he was preceded in death by a stepson Gary Smith; two brothers Billy Ray Smith and David Smith; and one sister Lillian Miller. Bill worked at Don Floor Service for a number of years. Surviving are his wife Frances Holcomb Smith; three step sons Willie Smith, Delbert Smith all of Covington and Dickey Smith of PA; three step grandchildren; four step great grandchildren; a sister Myrtle Kimberlin of Elkton; a brother Emmett "Buzzy" Smith and wife Diane of Columbus, NJ; and a number of nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday November 3, 2021, at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Arritt Funeral Home with the Pastor Steve Richards officiating. The interment will follow in Alleghany Memorial Park. The family will receive their friends one hour p...

Connie Maynard Simmons, 61, of 2119 Evergreen Rd., passed away peaceful at home on Wednesday October 27, 2021, surrounded by her family. Mrs. Simmons was born on November 14, 1959, in Kentucky a daughter of the late Connard C. and Melva Webb Maynard. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband James Harvey Simmons and a brother Connard Dwight Maynard. She worked for Med3000 in the Medical Billing Department and was a member of Good News Church. Connie and Libby were the original founders of the Covington Highlighters. She worked at Cuccis for a number of years. She loved to vacation at the beach, sit by the river, loved her plants, was a Hokie fan, enjoyed her girl trips, and was crafty and liked interior decorating. Above all else she loved her grandkids and was known as the "Best Nana Ever". Surviving are her two daughters Tara Simmons Brewster and husband Larry, Tonya Wolfe and husband AJ; a son Shawn Simmons and wife Amy; seven grandchildren: Zac Wolfe, Em...

Gary Evans Wilkerson, 64, of 4001 Dunlap Creek Rd., died, October 26, 2021, at his residence. Mr. Wilkerson was born Oct 4, 1957, in Alleghany County a son of the late Robert and Martha Lewis Wilkerson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister Donna English. He was a Shift leader in the recovery department with WestRock and a member of Palestine Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the NRA and the Vice President of the Covington Paperworkers Union Local 675, and he was active in coaching youth sports for many years. Surviving are his wife of 41 years Mitzie Stone Wilkerson of Covington; a daughter Erin Wood and husband Owen of Buena Vista; a son Mason Wilkerson and wife Ashley of Covington; eleven grandchildren: Isaac Wilkerson, Levi Wilkerson, Vincent Wilson, Phoebe Wood, Ella Wilkerson, Shelby Wood, Finnley Wilkerson, Elijah Fasig, Carter Fasig, Wyatt Wood, and Abby Nicely; a brother Dale Wilkerson of Covington; a sister Peggy Parks and husband Bill of Cha...

Warren Homer Linkous, 90, of 791 E. Carolton Drive died Monday, October 25, 2021, at his home. Mr. Linkous was born March 23, 1931, in Princeton, WV, a son of the late Luck John Linkous and Martha Jane Boyd Linkous. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother and one sister. Following his graduation from Princeton High School, he served four years in the United States Air Force stationed in England. He enjoyed being a part of the U.S. Air Force Golf team and traveled throughout Europe and North Africa. After his service, he graduated from Concord College and did graduate work at Marshall University, the University of South Carolina and the University of Alabama and received Certified Public Accountant Status. He was honored for forty years of service and given a lifetime membership in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He was a member and Past President of the Roanoke Area Chapter of the Society of Certified Public Accountants. Warren was a...

Connie Nida Redman Back, 59, of Covington, Virginia passed away peacefully on October 24, 2021, with her family by her side. She was born March 25,1962 in Covington, a daughter of Phyllis Harris Nida and the late Bobby Leon Nida. Connie was a 1980 graduate of Alleghany County High School and graduated from Radford University in 1984 with a B.S. degree in Education. Connie was a long-time educator, who taught students with special needs in a number of school divisions across Virginia. Her teaching career began in Henrico County, continued at Covington High School, and then Alleghany High School. After her retirement from public education, she became a teacher at the Boys Home school in Covington. At the time of her passing, she was employed as the Assistant Director of the Boys Home School in Covington. She cared deeply about her students and dedicated her life to touching and enriching the lives of the many students she taught. A softball player in high school, Connie was also known f...

Wiley Wayne Sampson, 81, of W. Morris Hill Rd., died, Friday October 22, 2021, at his residence. Mr. Sampson was born September 17, 1940, in Covington, a son of the late Joseph and Elvira Wilhelm Sampson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters: Violet Hayward, Ruby Leffel, and Phyllis Booth. He retired from the beater room at MeadWestvaco. He enjoyed playing his guitar, woodworking, and traveling. Surviving are his two daughters Angela S. Tucker and husband Mark of Covington, Sherri Mitchell and husband Jeff of Bedford; two grandchildren: Sarah Blevins of Staunton and Jedediah Mitchell of Bedford; three sisters: Juanita Messer of Covington, Irene Aynes, and Shirley Burdette and husband Richard all of White Sulphur Springs, WV; three brothers Basil Sampson, Darrell Sampson and Julie McCormick, and Gene Sampson all of Covington; and a number of nieces and nephews. In accordance with his wishes his body has been cremated. A private service will be held at a...