Obituaries

Robert Eugene "Bud" Phillips, 80, of 7820 Ogles Creek Road died Saturday, December 15, 2018, in Lewis Gale-Alleghany Hospital at Lowmoor. Mr. Phillips was born November 30, 1938, in Greenbrier County, WV, a son of the late Gordon E. Ridgeway and Pansy Phillips. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his Wife, Mary Jane Walton Phillips, in 2016, two infant children, David Phillips and Karen Phillips, and also by three brothers and two sisters. He was a veteran of the Korean War with the U.S. Army and received a Purple Heart Medal. He was the founder and retired owner of Phillips Roofing and Supply Co. in Covington. He was a member of Ogles Creek Baptist Church and the National Rifle Association. Surviving are three Sons and Daughters-in-law, Robert and Angela Phillips, Jimmy and Wendy Phillips and William and Suzanne Phillips, all of Covington; four Daughters; Linda Sizer, Kathy Curry and her husband, Gary, Sandy Fox and her husband, Greg, and Lorraine May all of Covin...

Robert Eugene "Bud" Phillips, 80, of 7820 Ogles Creek Road died Saturday, December 15, 2018, in Lewis Gale-Alleghany Hospital at Lowmoor. Mr. Phillips was born November 30, 1938, in Greenbrier County, WV, a son of the late Gordon E. Ridgeway and Pansy Phillips. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his Wife, Mary Jane Walton Phillips, in 2016, two infant children, David Phillips and Karen Phillips, and also by three brothers and two sisters. He was a veteran of the Korean War with the U.S. Army and received a Purple Heart Medal. He was the founder and retired owner of Phillips Roofing and Supply Co. in Covington. He was a member of Ogles Creek Baptist Church and the National Rifle Association. Surviving are three Sons and Daughters-in-law, Robert and Angela Phillips, Jimmy and Wendy Phillips and William and Suzanne Phillips, all of Covington; four Daughters; Linda Sizer, Kathy Curry and her husband, Gary, Sandy Fox and her husband, Greg, and Lorraine May all of...

Sarah Ann Midkiff Mabry, 92, of Springtree Health and Rehab in Roanoke, formerly of Covington, died Saturday, December 15, 2018. Mrs. Mabry was born July 1, 1926, in Alleghany County, a daughter of the late Noah and Lottie Sparks Midkiff. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Addison Mabry in 2008, one brother, Joseph Midkiff, and all of her brother and sister-in-laws. Sarah worked a variety of jobs during her time in Covington, including the little south Covington post office in the 1960's. She sold Avon products for many years, receiving several Albee figurine awards as a Presidential Club member. She successfully completed training for custom furniture upholstery in 1971. In her later years she was active in the Senior Companion Program, receiving certificates of appreciation in 1995 and 1998. Sarah was also a recipient of the Certificate of National Service for the United States Senior Corps. When she wasn't busy with her volunteer and service work,...

Armeilda Anderson "Millie" Jones, 63, of 214 East Gray Street died Saturday, December 15, 2018, at her home. Mrs. Jones was born March 23, 1955, in Bath County, a daughter of the late Roy and Edna Gilbert Anderson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her Husband, Robert Jones, in August of this year, and seven brothers, Wayne Anderson, Randall Anderson, Gordon Anderson, Bud Anderson, Clarence Anderson, Clyde Anderson and Bill Anderson. Surviving are her Son, Bailey Matthew Jones, of Covington; her Sister, Cheryl Persinger, and her husband, Robert, of Covington; her Step-Daughter, Jennifer Jones, of Covington; her Half-sister, Annigail Terry, of Bolar and a number of nieces and nephews. In keeping with her wishes, her body has been cremated. The funeral service will be held Thursday, December 20, 2018, at 3:00 PM in the Chapel of Arritt Funeral Home with the Rev. Bill Gilliland officiating. The family will receive their friends from 2:00 PM until service ...

Isabel Jane Miller Shearin, 90, of Richmond passed away Friday, December 14, 2018, at the home of her niece and caregiver, Diane Ruby Miller Paxton and her husband, Alfred, in Covington. Mrs. Shearin was born December 1, 1928, at Organ Cave, WV, a daughter of the late Julian Hunter and Virginia Ruby Hoover Miller. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her Husband, Cadd W. "Buster" Shearin, Jr., her Son, John Thomas Shearin, II, and her brother and sister-in-law, Robert Lee and Genevieve Marie Reed Miller. Surviving are her granddaughter, Ashley Shearin Chaumard, and her husband, Adrian; great grandson, Lucas John Chaumard; great granddaughter, Chloe Catherine Chaumard; granddaughter, Graham Shearin; five nieces, Diane Ruby Miller Paxton, and her husband, Alfred, Donna Marie Miller Sams-Council and her husband, Charles, Drema Mae Miller Clinebell, Debra Jane Miller Rutherford and her husband, Gary, and June Hall Wise and her husband, Pete; four nephews, Robert Julian...

Donald Garland Essex, 69, of Hot Springs, died, Tuesday, December 11, 2018, at his residence. Mr. Essex was born January 2, 1949, in Highland County to the late Eugene B. Essex Sr. and Syble Scott Essex. Donald had retired from the Omni Homestead resort as a fly fishing instructor after 25 years with the hotel. He was member of Life Line Ministries and served with the United States Navy in the Vietnam War. Surviving are his Wife of 44 years, Darlene Scales Essex, of Hot Springs; three Sons, Chris Essex and his wife, Carlisa, of Warm Springs, Ben Essex of Hot Springs and Eric Essex and Amanda Leonard of Falling Spring; eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren; two sisters, Sherba Essex of Yorktown and Barbara Boggs of Newport News; one brother Eugene B. Essex Jr and wife, Janet, of Sun Prairie WI and several nieces and nephews. In keeping with his wishes, his body has been cremated. A Celebration of His Life will be held Saturday, December 15, 2018, at 11:30 AM in the Life Line ...

Albert Ray Bush, 93, of 4404 Bush Lane, died Tuesday, December 11, 2018, at his residence. Mr. Bush was born May 25, 1925, in Alleghany County, a son of the late Benjamin Harrison Bush and Lucy Wilson Bush. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by seven brothers and sisters and one grandchild. Ray was retired from Hercules after more than 30 years of employment, retiring in 1987. He was a member of Lone Star Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Frances Whiting Bush; four daughters, Dreama and Finnie Carson, Sr., Sharon and Charles Persinger, Sr., Regina Hinkle, Debbie and Ronnie Stinnett, all of Covington, and Cheryl Andrews of Woodstock; two sons, Gary Bush, and Dennis Bush, both of Covington; 23 grandchildren, 48 Great-Grandchildren, 34 great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. The funeral service will be held Saturday, December 15, 2018, at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Arritt Funeral Home with the Rev. Donald Earwood officiating, assist...

Michael Ray May, 70, of 5711 Johnson Creek Road, died, Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at his residence. He was born October 19, 1948 in Alleghany County, a son of the late Lonnie Glenn May and Mary Meadows May. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a sister Barbara Southall and two brothers Preston B. May and Lonnie G. May Jr. Mr. May served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Michael retired as a heavy equipment operator with Branch Highways, Inc. He was affiliated with Johnson Creek ARP Church. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved teaching the outdoors to the youth. Surviving are his wife of 50 years Alice Guajardo May of Covington, a daughter Melissa May of Covington, a sister Christine Martin and husband Donald of Paint Bank, a brother John May of Covington, two sister in laws Ruby May and Wanda B. May, a special grandchild Maria Rodriguez, a host of great family friends to include James "Bubby" Ward and a number of nieces and nephews. The funeral servi...

Kenton Cleo "Cledy" Tucker, 75, of Iron Gate went to be with the Lord on Friday November 30, 2018. He was born November 2, 1943, in Alleghany County the son of the late Robert Lee Tucker and Myrtle Tingler Tucker. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a granddaughter Taylor Renee "Sissy-Baby" Fridley, six brothers Everett "Bud" Tucker, Sr., Charles K. Tucker, Harry E. "Fudge" Tucker Sr., James Howard Tucker, Ben Lee Tucker and Parker P. Tucker, Sr., and three sisters Mattie Evelyn Givens, Betty Jane Vint and Mary Odelle Tucker. Cledy retired from Byer Harmon and Johnson after 23 years as a heavy equipment operator. Surviving are two daughters, Cheryl Davis of Eagle Rock and Donna Thomas and husband Matt of Covington, four stepchildren Debra Booze and husband Henry of Fincastle, Charles "Chuckie" Price of Fincastle, Robert "Todd" Price, and Trina Davis both of Covington, three brothers Robert Lee Tucker Jr. of Roanoke, Raymond "Jim" Tucker and wife Nadine, and George "...

Elinor Gaye Howard Vann, 83, of 4910 Dunlap Creek Road died Tuesday, November 27, 2018, at her home. Mrs. Vann was born June 17, 1935, at Sweet Chalybeate a daughter of the late Arthur P. and Velma Gaye Snyder Howard. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her Husband, Harry Vann, and also by three sisters and one brother. She had retired as a Vice President from Wachovia Bank. Surviving are her Son, Mike Vann and Connie Haddock, of Linden; two Sisters, Bertha Howard of Clifton Forge and Patsy Andrews of Covington; one Brother, Ricky Howard of Texas and a number of nieces and nephews. In keeping with her wishes, her body has been cremated. A funeral service will be held at a later date....

Ralph Lee Tucker, Sr. age 87 of 108 Ross Lane, died Thursday, November 22, 2018, at his residence. He was born December 29, 1930, in Alleghany County a Son of the late Benjamin Harrison Tucker and Ida Bowen Tucker, He was preceded in death by his Wife, Georgia Givens Tucker, in 2005, and four brothers, Ray Tucker, Ersel Tucker, Frasier Tucker and Charles Tucker; four sisters, Annie Simmons, Bessie Simmons, Dorothy Martel and Cela Wolfe. He had retired from his business, Tucker Heating and Air Condition and later worked for Dominion Power and he also served in the United States Army during Korea Surviving are three Sons, Ralph L. Tucker, Jr. and wife, Bonnie, and Randy Tucker and wife, Nicole, all of Covington and Ronnie Tucker of Luray; his granddaughter, Jenny Cox and her husband, Allen; his grandson, Justin Tucker; six great grandchildren; one Sister, Regina Bowles and her husband, Teddy, of Norfolk; one brother, Richard Tucker, and a number of nieces and nephews. The fune...

Lee Albert McMillen, 85, of 303 Foxaway Lane ,died Thursday, November 22, 2018 at his home. Mr. McMillen was born December 20, 1932, in Alleghany County a son of the late Audrey Maddy McMillen Perry. In addition to his mother, he was preceded by his wife, Shirley Nace McMillen in 2009 and also by a Brother, Carl McMillen. He had retired as a machinist from H. O. Canfield, Inc. in 1998 after 40 years with the company. Surviving are his Daughter and Son-in-law, Janet and Ricky Seldomridge of Covington; his Son and Daughter-in-law, Coyde Allen and Denise Wolfe of Clarksville, TN, and two grandsons. A private graveside service will be held at Alleghany Memorial Park....