Obituaries

Larry Joseph Brewster, Sr., 70, of Covington, died Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at LewsGale-Alleghany Hospital in Low Moor.

He was born November 1, 1955 in Alleghany County, a son of the late Glenn and Alice Plott Brewster. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Rita Nida; two brothers, Michael Brewster and Rudy Brewster; one niece; and two nephews.

Mr. Brewster was a self-employed painter for a number of years.  In his spare time, he enjoyed being outdoors and loved spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife, Sheila Cash Brewster of Covington; two sons, Larry (Tara) Brewster and James (Lakeyla Depriest) Brewster; one daughter, Casey Brewster, all of Covington; five grandchildren, Daulton Brewster, Jaxon Brewster, Kendyl Brewster, Jesslyn Wallace, and Larrah Brewster; four brothe...

Dorothy Mae VanDevender Jeffries, 84, of Covington, peacefully went home with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, January 11, 2026.

She was born June 30, 1941, in Covington, Virginia, to the late Glen VanDevender, Sr and Natley Frances Downey VanDevender. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Johnny Harvey VanDevender, Glenn VanDevender, Jr., and Donald VanDevender, one sister, Ruby Orr, a grandson David Cullen III, and two daughters-in-law Bamma Jeffries and Judy Jeffries.

Dorothy was a faithful follower of Jesus and a proud member of First Christian Church in Covington. She was compassionate and caring, taking great pride in her family. She was always positive and upbeat, and had many family and friends who she dearly cherished.

Dorothy loved gardening, always ensuring her home and yard were...

Robin Palmer Lindsey, 64, of Longdale Furnace, died Saturday, January 10th, 2026 at her residence.

She was born March 15th, 1961, in Alleghany County, a daughter of the late Samuel Palmer and Emma Perkins. In addition to her parents, she was proceeded in death by her first husband, Paul A. Nicely, second husband Bobby Lindsey, and beloved dog Rusty.

Robin worked for more than 15 years on the printing line at the former Bacova Guild in Low Moor. In her spare time she loved visiting with friends and family, especially dear friends Kim Wilhelm, Pat Conner, and Kathy Johnson. Watching the Dallas Cowboys, VT Hokies, playing the lottery and a game of rummy were some of Robins favorite hobbies. She also loved gardening and flowers.

Survivors include her son, Clark Adrian Palmer (Kayla Fauber) of Longdale; one grandchild, Jordan M...

Thurmond Wayne Persinger, 80, formerly of Covington, died Saturday, January 10, 2026 at Laurels of Charlottesville Nursing Center.

He was born July 3, 1945 in Maple Fork, WV, a son of the late Charles W. Persinger and Janice Marie Armentrout Lemon. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy Hancock Persinger; his second wife, Rosemary Bailey Persinger; and one brother, Robert Eugene Persinger.

Wayne retired in 1999 from Smurfit Westrock as National Account Sales Manager. He was a longtime member of the former Alleghany Country Club.

Survivors include his daughter, Michelle (Danny) Porterfield of Louisa; a son, Jeff (Jen) Persinger of Ashland; seven grandchildren, Chelsie Porterfield, Josh Porterfield, Julia (Alex Eckenrode) Porterfield, Bethany (Kevin) Rogers, Trevor Bartholomew, Rachae...

Rosa Lee Persinger Dobson Bartley, 85, of Covington, died Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at the Brian Center-Alleghany in Low Moor.

She was born February 23, 1940 in Alleghany County, a daughter of the late Jesse L. and Helen Clark Persinger. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Raymond E. “Bud” Dobson; her second husband, Gene Bartley; two brothers, Norman Persinger and Donnie Ray Persinger; and a niece, Wendy Persinger.

Mrs. Bartley worked for many years as a claims representative with the Social Security Administration. Earlier in her career, she served at the Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C., as a secretary at the Pentagon, and as a telephone operator at the former CFW in Clifton Forge. In her spare time, she enjoyed tending to her flowers, baking, crochet, and taking trips to the beach. She attended Victory Baptist Church in C...

Roselyn Ballard Boone, 95, of Covington, died Monday, January 5, 2025 at her residence.

She was born August 15, 1930, in Alleghany County, a daughter of the late Porter Ballard, Sr. and Allie Louise Mines Ballard. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Roger C. Boone in 2020; a brother, Porter “Bud” Ballard, Jr.; and two sisters, Helen Marshall and Sandra Herrmann.

Roselyn worked for several years at the former Sears Roebuck store in Covington and at the former H&C Auto Parts store. A graduate of Dunlap High School, she was a charter member of Gospel Light Baptist Church and, in her later years, a faithful member of United Baptist Church. She cherished sewing, needlepoint, tending her flower garden, camping with family, attending craft fairs, and her devoted church work.

Survi...

Nancy Lee Clark, age 82, died Thursday, January 1, 2026, at Holzer Hospital in Gallipolis, Ohio.

Nancy was born June 20, 1943 in Giles County, a daughter of the late Rufus Gautier, Sr. and Blanche Harry Gautier.  Raised in Covington, she was also preceded in death by one brother and one sister.

She worked for years as a CNA at a nursing home.

Surviving are her two daughters, Leisa Clark and Kim Clark, both of Covington; two sons, Terry Clark of North Carolina and Steven Clark of Covington; ten grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; two sisters, Sabrina Demaris of Prescott, AZ and Charlotte Martin of Covington; and many more extended family members.

In keeping with her wishes she will be cremated.

I am writing my own obituary because I can. At age 83, my spirit decided to leave this world on December 29, 2025.

I was born on September 27, 1942, a daughter of Bud and Doris Fridley of Callaghan. I have one sister, Sandy Fridley Dunaway of Covington.

I was a graduate of Dunlap High School and continued my education through DSLCC (now Mountain Gateway Community College) and the Virginia Association of Healthcare Facilities. I received a degree from Virginia Commonwealth University as a national healthcare administrator with numerous certifications in the healthcare field.

I worked very hard my whole life in a variety of jobs and met so many wonderful people – my memories are amazing. Relationships are difficult and sometimes irreconcilable.

My first marriage was to Charlie...

Clyde Ellis Ayers, 83, of Covington, died Monday, December 29,2025 at University Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville.

He was born January 28, 1942 in Covington, a son of the late John E. Ayers and Thelma Seldomridge Ayers. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Paul E. Ayers; and two special friends Romaine Burns and Peggy Markham.

Clyde served in the United States Navy and was member Hokes Chapel United Methodist Church.

Surviving are two brothers, Thomas Ayers of Low Moor and Garland (Carloyn) Ayers of Ocala, FL; and a number of nieces and nephews.

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

A memorial service in his honor is being planned for a later date.

Clayton Douglas Wright, Sr., 82, of Covington, died Monday, December 22, 2025 at his residence.

He was born May 2, 1943 in Alleghany County, a son of the late Frank and Roxie Arritt Wright. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Evelyn Faye Snyder Wright; five sisters, Lillian Bogar, Della VanNevelle, Shirley LaDue, Daisy Hepler, and Mattie Thomas; five brothers, Lawrence Wright, Connie Wright, Everette Wright, Charles E. Wright, and Saford W. Wright.

Clayton retired in 2004 from the Covington City Public School system after thirty years of dedicated service in maintenance. Above all, he will be remembered by his loved ones as a devoted family man.

Survivors include his wife, Hazel Stuple Wright of Covington; two sons, Clayton D. Wright, Jr., of Goodview and Andrew C. (Jennifer) Wright of I...

Brian Keith Staton, 62, of Lexington and formerly of Covington, died Friday, December 19, 2025.

He was born November 14, 1963 in Clifton Forge, a son of the late Wiliam F. and Rita Arritt Staton.

Brian was a 1983 graduate of Covington High School and received job training at the Woodrow Wilson Vocational Training Center in Fishersville. He was employed for a number of years at the Home Shopping Network warehouse in Salem. In his spare time, Brian enjoyed drawing and writing short stories.

Survivors include his siblings, Gwynith S. Wood of Roanoke, Alan D. Staton of Covington, James B. Staton of Yokosuka, Japan, Justin D. Staton of Littleton, CO, Jimmy Gillispie of Wasilla, AK, and Marie Bailey of Waynesboro; and his stepmother, Norma Staton of Wasilla, AK.

A memorial service...

Annabelle Johnson Bennett, 87, of Covington, died Thursday, December 18, 2025.

She was born April 10, 1938 in Hinton, WV, a daughter of the late Dolphus and Gwen Frantz Johnson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by son, David ”Monkey”  Bennett; two sisters, Barbara Cales and Nancy Neely; two brothers, Jerry Johnson and Edward Johnson; and the father of her children, Arthur G. Bennett.

Annabelle retired from the former TPM, inc. in Low Moor after many years of service in the maintenance department.

Survivors include her two daughters, Terri (Wayne) Perkins of Catawba and Lisa (Eric) Morris of Covington; one granddaughter, Jessica Perkins of Charlotte, NC; one grandson, Seth Perkins of Catawba; one brother, Curtis (Nancy) Johnson; four sisters, Maxine Payne, Mary Tucker, Dorothy Tucker, and Linda Egg...