Obituaries

Billy Gene Booker, Sr., 84, of Covington, went to rest peacefully on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Lewis-Gale Medical Center in Salem, surrounded by his loving family, including his grandchildren, Deja, Deziraye and Devon.

Mr. Booker was born February 16, 1941, in Beckley, WV, a son of the late Jesse and Ada Henderson Booker. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Imogene Poindexter; three brothers, Clarence Booker, Jesse Booker, and Charles Booker.

Billy was a very special man, always whistling or singing a tune. His love for people was outstanding and he was always ready to help others. From building to car repair, he was always there with a smile on his face and would say “I don’t know if I can help but I’m here and will do what I can”. Billy enriched others in his life with his kind and comforting words. He loved to talk about his creator wh...

Ashton Liam Rambo, infant son of Catrina Deniece Hill and Christopher Louis Rambo, died February 28, 2025 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his twin sister, Addalyn Rambo and other sibblings, Kiersten (Justin) Stogner, Dylan Atkinson, Shaun Rambo, Abigail Rambo, Landon Hill and Giovanni Amato; Paternal grandfather, Ben (Linda) Rambo; Paternal grandmother, Mary (Scott) Synder; great-grandmother, Marie (Robert) DeGuzman; a nephew, Lennon Stogner; and number of aunts, uncles, cousins, and a full NICU team at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. 

We come together with hearts heavier than words can express. We are here to honor Ashton Liam Rambo, our sweet Ashy Boy, who was with us for only a short time but left an imprint that will last forever. Though his time on this earth was brief, his love, his spirit, and his pre...

Benjamin Hubbard Jr., age 64, of Covington died on February 25, 2025.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Pastor Nancy and Benny Hubbard Sr.; his wife, Deniece Hubbard; and a granddaughter, Taylor Atkinson.

Benjamin was survived by three daughters, Catrina Hill (Christopher), Britany Cox (Keven), and Merissa Hubbard (Derek); a son, Benjamin Lanier Hubbard III (Megan); a brother, Timothy Hubbard; a stand in sister, cousin and friend, Kimberly Hepler (Gary); and his grandchildren, Kiersten (Justin), Dylan, Cameron, Kendall, Landon, Giovanni, Christopher, Jaxson, Donovon, Ashton and Addalyn; a great-grandson, Lennon Stogner; and a number of nieces and nephews.

We say goodbye to a man who meant so much to so many—Benjamin Lanier Hubbard Jr. Losing him so soon after Deniece is a heartbreak none of us could have prepared f...

Maybelle Sampley Wright, 81, of Covington, died Monday, February, 24, 2025.

She was born November 18, 1943 in Mesa, Arizona, a daughter of the late Elmer and Cordie Byrd Sampley. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Don Sampley and Ferris Sampley.

Maybelle loved reading, shopping, and traveling to new places and especially loved Branson, MO and Nashville, TN. She especially loved spending time with her family.

She leaves to mourn her loss her husband, Ronald E. Wright, Sr. of Covington; a son Ronnie (Debra) Wright of Oklahoma City, OK; four daughters, Debbie (Don) Stevens of Napa, ID, Patty Kern of Ephrata, WA, Christy (Tim) Waters of Othello, WA, Mindy (Blair) Evens of Royse City, TX; 16 grandchildren; 26 great-great grandchildren; two sisters, Flora Hampton an...

Frank D. Williamson, age 91, passed away on February 24, 2025 at the Brian Center.

Mr. Williamson was born in Bluefield, WV of parents Lawrence A. Williamson and Julia B.

Davidson Williamson.

Educated in the public schools of the Bluefield area, he graduated from Concord (College) in

1955. He was employed by the First National Bank of Bluefield for a number of years, after

which he decided to try teaching instead. He became a business teacher at Bland High School,

Bland, VA in 1961 and taught there for 4 years. Having decided that teaching would be his life’s

work, he obtained a M.S. in Business Administration from Virginia Tech during 1966-67.

In the fall of 1967, he became a business instructor at DSLCC (now Moun...

Thomas Daniel (Danny) Warlitner, age 88, of Covington, died Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the Salem Virginia Medical Center in Salem.

Danny was born April 13, 1936, in Alleghany County, and was preceded in death by his parents, the late Frank Edward Warlitner, Sr. and Mamie Gladys Fix Warlitner; his wife Barbara Gail Sites Warlitner, of sixty years; four brothers, Sonny, Tony, W.L. and Donnie Warlitner.

Danny retired in 1994 from the Alleghany Sheriff’s Department after thirty-one years of service and during that time he was the sheriff for eight years. He served his country in the United States Marine Corp for eight years. He was a loving husband, a great dad, a loyal friend and loved spending time with his grandchildren. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing golf and going to the beach.

Leaving to mourn his loss are hi...

Mary Ann Tucker Bowen, age 81, of Covington, died Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at Lewis Gale Hospital Alleghany.

Mary Ann was born, June 1, 1943, in Alleghany County, and was preceded in death by her parents, the late Harry Mark Tucker and Virginia Wright Tucker Bowen; her husband, Luther Bowen; and a sister, Zetta Martin.

Surviving are two daughters, Teresa (Carl) Simmons and Charlotte Ann (Lonnie) Hepler both of Covington; a son, Phillip Wayne (Tina) May of Covington; eleven grandchildren, twenty-eight great grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; several step-children and step-grandchildren; three brothers, James Tucker, Harry Lewis (Deb) Tucker and Ellis Tucker, all of Covington; and numerous other family members.

For many years she worked at the former Halmode, Inc. in Covington as a seamstress. She enjoyed spe...

Eugene Walter Crowder, age 85, of Covington, passed away, Monday, February 17, 2025, at Pheasant Ridge Memory Center - Senior Care Center in Roanoke.

Eugene was born July 10, 1939, and was preceded in death by his parents, the late Charlie Crowder and Mildred Bowen Crowder; a lifelong companion Gloria Dressler; three sisters, Georgia Johnson, Shelby Crizer and Irene Glenn; a favorite nephew, Michael (Spud) Slayton; and a niece, Kathy Glenn.

Surviving to mourn his loss is, Marie Slayton of Covington; two adopted nieces, Debbie Johnson of Covington and Donna Rudgers of Orlando, Florida.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, February 21, 2025 at Alleghany Memorial Park with Chris Fisher officiating.

Family and friends can gather at Arritt Funeral Home on Friday from 12:30...

Robert Lee “Robbie” Church, Jr., age 63, passed away February 17, 2025, at his residence.

Robbie was born, June 28, 1961, in Alleghany County to Robert L. Church, Sr. and Phyllis Grimm Church of Covington.

Other than his parents, those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Toni Anne Thompson Church; three sons, Lee Church and wife Sarah of Hot Springs, Michael Church of Covington, Brandon Church and wife Crista of Covington; grandchildren, Kylie Church and Sam, Erika and Ashton, Cameron, Hunter, Kennedy, Lexi and Maddie; brothers Tony Church and wife Melissa, Steve Church and wife Ana; numerous cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews; a dear friend R.C. Cole and his beloved dog Roscoe.

In Robbie’s spare time he loved hunting and attending his kids and grandkids sporting events. Robbie was a loving son, husband, fathe...

Marilyn Hoke Tucker, age 79, of Covington, died Friday, February 14, 2025, at her residence.

She was born December 4, 1945 in Laurel Maryland, and was preceded in death by her parents, the late Everette and Lelia Hoke; her husband, Everett M. Tucker; a daughter, Clara Walton; and also an infant sister and Betty Bowen.

She retired as a teachers aid at the YMCA.

She leaves to mourn a companion, Curtis Broughfman; a daughter, Susan (Tab) Fridley; three sons, Everett (Reba) Tucker, James L. Tucker and Matthew (Sarah) Tucker all of Covington; a brother, Alvin (Patricia) Hoke; a sister Emma Boswell both of Maryland; seven grandchildren, Mellisa O'Conner, Jimmy Walton Jr., David Wayne Tucker, Christina Davis, Lisa Tucker,James Fridley IV and Brandon Walton. She also leaves behind 14 Great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and ...

Lisa Terry Hayslett, age 58, of Covington, died Sunday, February 9, 2025, at Good Samaritan Hospice, Roanoke.

She was born August 1, 1966 in Greenbrier County, and was preceded in death by her mother, the late Diane Terry Long; and a daughter, Sarah Rhodes.

Lisa was a dedicated Certified Nursing Assistant until her early retirement. She found great joy in her later years indulging in crafts and creative hobbies.

She leaves to mourn her life two daughters, April Rhodes, and Melanie Marks both of Covington; six grandchildren, Destiny Marks, Owen Sturdibant, Sarah Fleshman, Nevaeh Marks, Addyson Bolton and Emalynn Nicely; two great grandchildren and also surviving are other family members.

In keeping with Ms. Hayslett’s wishes her body has been cremated and a service will be he...

Cheryl Lynette Cale, age 57, of Covington, died Friday, February 7, 2025 at Bath County Community Hospital.

She was born July 27, 1967 in Alleghany County, and she was preceded in death by her parents, the late Ronald W. Cale Sr. and Judith Smith Cale.

She loved listening to Elvis Presley and was a fan of race car driver, Jimmy Johnson.

She leaves to mourn her loss two brothers, Chipper Cale and Mathew Cale; and a sister, Kerry Weade all of Covington. Also surviving are aunts, uncles and cousins.

In keeping with her wishes, her body has been cremated.

A service will be held at a later date.

Arritt Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.