Obituaries

Melinda Jane Wright Yancey, 54, of 105 S. Monroe Ave., died, Thursday, September 12, 2019 at Lewis Gale Medical Center in Salem. Mrs. Yancey was born July 3, 1965, in Alleghany County the daughter of the late Denton Lowell and Marie Walton Wright. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by a sister Margie Jones, a brother Haven Wright, a Niece Shanna Wright, and a special friend D.W. Campbell. Melinda was a member of the Loving Life Fellowship Church and she loved her family, music, pictures and giving. She was an avid Dallas Cowboy fan and enjoyed spending time at the beach and in the water. She liked to sing and take selfies and loved when people played with her hair. Surviving are a daughter Amanda Wright, a son Joseph Wright and wife Teresa, her husband Edward Yancey III all of Covington, nine grandchildren; Jaqwan, Ky'esha, Kaitlin, Joey Jr., Tyesha, Shay, Nylow, Gabby, and Sarah, three sisters Stella DePriest and husband Billy, Shirley Lamb and husband Jeff all of C...

Carol Lowery Schumaker, 80, of 5810 Dunlap Creek Rd., died, Saturday September 7, 2019 in the Lewis Gale Alleghany Regional Hospital in Low Moor. She was born December 29, 1938 in Alleghany County the daughter of the late Frank and Hazel Richmond Lowery. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Henry L. Schumaker in 2017. Carol retired after 20 years of service as a Clerk of Commissions for Alleghany County. She was a member of Palestine Chapel Church and the women of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge #610. Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law, Cindy McDowell and husband Ronnie of Covington, two grandchildren Kim McClung and husband Michael of Covington and Jacob McDowell of Stuart Draft, three great grandchildren Adalee, Mahaley, and Jordyn Paige McClung all of Covington, a sister Jean Linwood King of Eagle Rock, a brother Gary Hankins and wife Denise of Cookeville, TN, a special friend Ethel Smith, and a number of nieces and nephews. The funeral service ...

Kathy Ilene Ware Ross, 63, of Covington, died, September 3, 2019 at Lewis Gale Alleghany Regional Hospital in Low Moor. She was born on July 11, 1956 in Russellville, AR, the third child of Rebecca Sue Brown Ware of Fort Smith, AR, and the late Leslie Arnold. In addition to her father she was preceded in death by a brother Stan Ware of Dickinson, TX, and a sister-in-law D'Andrea Ware of Dickinson, TX. Kathy was a very talented artist who never met a stranger. She lived in Arkansas most of her life but had moved to VA several years ago to be closer to her children. She was an accomplished artist. Surviving in addition to her mother are three children; Jason & Allana Ross of Kansas City, MO, Becky Ross & Donnie of Covington, VA, and Brent Ross of Covington, VA, six grandchildren; Drake, Lillianne and Jayna Ross of Kansas City, MO., Tyler Ross, Kelley Wolfe and Zachary Wolfe of Covington, VA., five siblings; Bill Ware of Russellville AR, Larry Ware of Russellville AR, Cindy & Steve Titsw...

Gary Monroe Goode, 69, of 1012 Hattie Street in Mallow, died Sunday, September 1, 2019, at Lewis Gale Medical Center in Salem. Mr. Goode was born March 18, 1950, in Covington a son of the late Herbert Newton Goode and Louise Sellers Goode. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Kenny Goode and Herbert Goode and two brothers-in-law, Norman Hilton and George Lee. He had retired from the Lear Corporation as a machine operator. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force with multiple deployments overseas. He was an avid NASCAR fan. He enjoyed carving walking sticks and tending his garden. Surviving are his Son, Gary Goode, II, of Covington; three Daughters, Brandi Snead and Tabitha Lewis, both of Covington and Tara Goode of Arizona; six grandchildren, Olivia, Alexander Andrew, Isaiah, Nadia and Chloe; five Sisters, Charlotte Hilton, of Summersville, SC, Patty Burchette and her husband, Ryland of Hot Springs, Ronnie Goode and his wife, Mary, and Gail Tucker and h...

Marguerite Rexrode Dunford, 89, of Covington, died, Sunday September 1, 2019 In the Brian Center Nursing Care Low Moor. Mrs. Dunford was born May 6, 1930 in Durban, WV, the daughter of the late Dewey Rexrode and Ethel Mullenax Dunford. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Jack Boyd Dunford in 2010, one sister Shirley Hartman, three brothers Clete, Bud, and Jake Rexrode, and a son in law Dale Patton. Marguerite was a member of Mallow Presbyterian Church. Surviving are her three daughters Lisa Patton and fianc Rick Andes, Diane Lockhart and Husband Marvin, all of Covington and Donna Lambert and husband Dwain of Salem, two grandson David Lockhart of Covington and Charles J. Deane III of Roanoke, three great grandchildren Trenton, Ava, and Gianna Deane all of Roanoke, a sister Charlotte Tyree of Fredericksburg, a sister in law Edith Boerner of Covington and a number of nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be held Wednesday September 4, 2019 at 2:00 P...

Betty Arrington Fitzgerald, 90, died Saturday, August 24, 2019, in the Autumn Care Nursing Home at Shallotte, NC. Mrs. Fitzgerald was born May 15, 1929, in Monroe County, WV, a daughter of the late John Arrington and Ethel Auton Arrington. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by two brothers Jack and John Arrington. Surviving are three sons Meredith "Bugs" Jennings and Fianc Theresa Antoinin of Covington, Gary Jennings and wife Pat of Clifton Forge, and Tim Jennings and girlfriend Julie Leonard of Ash, NC, nine grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, a brother Tommy Arrington of Covington, and a number of nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be Friday August 30, 2019 at 1:00PM in the Arritt Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Raymond Christian officiating. The family will receive their friends Thursday evening from 7:00 PM until 8:30 PM at the Arritt Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Service Friday, August 30, 2019 01:00 PM Arrit...

Reginald Owen Tingler, 71, of Rocky Mount died Friday, August 23, 2019, in Franklin Memorial Hospital in Rocky Mount. Mr. Tingler was born October 2, 1947, in Alleghany County a son of the late Junior Tingler and Phyllis Humphries Tingler Hamm. He was a veteran of the VietNam War with the Marine Corp. He had retired from Capitol Iron Works in Richmond. Surviving are his Wife, Lillian "Jo" McCulley Tingler, of Rocky Mount; his Step-Daughter, Sharon Sorrells, of Rocky Mount; a Step-Granddaughter, Dominique Turner and her Husband, John, and a Step-Grandson, Watashie Sorrells, all of Rocky Mount. The funeral service will be held Wednesday, August 28, 2019, at 2:00 PM at the graveside in Alleghany Memorial Park with the Rev. Denver Turner officiating. Military rites will be given by Curtis A. Smith Post #1033, Veterans of Foreign Wars. The family will receive their friends for one hour before the service at Arritt Funeral Home. Cemetery Information Wednesday, August 28, 2019 02:00 PM ...

Stephen Wayne Brackman, 44, of Greenville, TN, died Wednesday, August 21, 2019, in the Holston Valley Medical center at Kingsport, TN. Mr. Brackman was born October 11, 1974, in Covington a son of Clinda Joy Spence Weeks of Covington and the late Rev. Emory W. Brackman. In addition to his Father, he was preceded in death by his Step-father, Lewis Weeks, in 2016; grandfathers Clate Brackman in 2007 and Russell Spence in 1999 and his grandmother, Glenna Humphries Brackman, in 1986. Stephen was a 1992 graduate of Covington High School where he was in the Marching Band and Symphonic Band, was the manager of the varsity baseball team and a member of the yearbook staff. He was a 1999 graduate of Johnson Bible College in Knoxville, TN, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Telecommunications and Biblical Studies. He was currently employed as a front desk agent at the Hampton Inn in Morristown, TN. He was an avid sports fan cheering for his favorite teams, the Chicago Cubs, Tennessee Volunteer...

Floyd Allen Conway, Sr., 89 of 216 S. Marion Street, Covington, Virginia passed away Tuesday, August 20, 2019 at LewisGale Hospital Alleghany in Low Moor, Virginia. He was born July 01, 1930 in Beckley, West Virginia, a son of the late Gardiner W. Conway, Sr. and Marie Gray Conway. Mr. Conway was a retired laborer and a US Army Veteran having served during the Korean Conflict. He was a loving father, husband, grandfather, and friend to everyone; he will be immensely missed. He is survived by his wife Shirley Conway of Covington; seven children: Chevi Smith, Charolette Payne, Angel McLean, Kimberly Kerr-Howitt, Janet Parker, Jane Conway and Danny Conway; son-in-laws: Eric Smith, Wendell Payne, Clive McLean and Paulrick Howitt along with many loving grandchildren and extended family. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Shelby Page, his brother, Gardiner Conway, Jr., and two sons, Jimmy Conway and Floyd Conway, Jr. In keeping with Mr. Conways wishes his bo...

Floyd Allen Conway, Sr., 89 of 216 S. Marion Street, Covington, Virginia passed away Tuesday, August 20, 2019 at LewisGale Hospital Alleghany in Low Moor, Virginia. He was born July 01, 1930 in Beckley, West Virginia, a son of the late Gardiner W. Conway, Sr. and Marie Gray Conway. Mr. Conway was a retired laborer and a US Army Veteran having served during the Korean Conflict. He was a loving father, husband, grandfather, and friend to everyone; he will be immensely missed. He is survived by his wife Shirley Conway of Covington; seven children: Chevi Smith, Charolette Payne, Angel McLean, Kimberly Kerr-Howitt, Janet Parker, Jane Conway and Danny Conway; son-in-laws: Eric Smith, Wendell Payne, Clive McLean and Paulrick Howitt along with many loving grandchildren and extended family. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Shelby Page, his brother, Gardiner Conway, Jr., and two sons, Jimmy Conway and Floyd Conway, Jr. In keeping with Mr. Conway's wishes his b...

Patricia Sellers Taylor, of 237 S. Circle Dr. died Wednesday, August 14, 2019, at her residence. Mrs. Taylor was born October 17, 1955 in Alleghany Co. a daughter of late Robert A. Sellers and Dorothy Bush Sellers. In addition to her parents she preceded in death by her husband Herman R. "Topman" Taylor, Sr.in 2018. She retired from Bacova Guild as supervisor, she was a former employee of Halmode Inc., Pat enjoyed camping and loved spending time with her family. Surviving are her two sons Herman R. "Doobie" Taylor, Jr. of Covington and Jason Taylor and wife Stephanie of Clifton Forge, six grandchildren; Christopher Taylor, Justine Taylor, Faith Taylor, Dylan Gibson, Aysha Gibson and Anneliese Callow, two great grandchildren; Reiley Taylor and Nora Miller. A special sister in law Erma Lipes of Covington also surviving number of nieces and nephews including special nephew Allen Lipes. A graveside service will be Sunday at 2:00 PM at Humphries Cemetery with Rev Raymond Christian officiat...

Emmett Lee Simmons, 89, of 1545 S. Greenlawn Avenue went to be with the Lord Saturday, August 10, 2019. Mr. Simmons was born March 11, 1930, in Alleghany County a son of the late James Floyd Simmons and Roxie Tucker Simmons. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his Wife of fifty years, Dora Rodenizer Simmons in 2003, a Son, Gary Simmons, three Sisters, Ruby Ann Walton, Dorothy Kimberlin and Ethel Simmons, three brothers, James Simmons, Leonard Simmons, and Kenneth Simmons. Emmett served in the United States Marine Corp form 1951 through 1953. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved to garden, providing family and friends with fresh vegetables. He loved helping his neighbors. Most importantly, he spent every day loving and worrying about his family. Surviving are two Sons and Daughters-in-law, Carl and Teresa Jane Simmons of Covington and Randy and Kim Simmons of Vinton; two daughters, Kathy and Shane Mentz, and Teresa and Billy Gibson, both of Covington; Ten G...