Obituaries

Homer Boyd "Butch" Kennedy, Jr., 74, of Covington, died Thursday, May 10, 2018 at The Woodlands Health & Rehab Center in Clifton Forge. He was born March 7, 1944 in Clifton Forge, a son of the late Homer B. Kennedy, Sr. and Marie Chisholm Kennedy. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter Susan Kennedy, a son Nathaniel Kennedy and a grandson Corey Walters. Mr. Kennedy served with the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He was a Martial Arts instructor and like to paint pictures. Surviving are three daughters, Kathlene Downey and her husband James of Covington; Deborah Darby and her husband Dave of Peru, MS; Sandra Massey and her husband Chris of Maxwelton, WV; two sons Michael Kennedy and his wife Sonya of Troy, MH and Matthew Kennedy of Roanoke; 14 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; one brother, Roger Kennedy of Norfolk, VA ; one sister, Wanda and Bob Bearden of Norfolk, VA and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be held Monday, Ma...

Homer Boyd "Butch" Kennedy, Jr., 74, of Covington, died Thursday, May 10, 2018 at The Woodlands Health & Rehab Center in Clifton Forge. He was born March 7, 1944 in Clifton Forge, a son of the late Homer B. Kennedy, Sr. and Marie Chisholm Kennedy. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter Susan Kennedy, a son Nathaniel Kennedy and a grandson Corey Walters. Mr. Kennedy served with the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He was a Martial Arts instructor and like to paint pictures. Surviving are three daughters, Kathlene Downey and her husband James of Covington; Deborah Darby and her husband Dave of Peru, MS; Sandra Massey and her husband Chris of Maxwelton, WV; two sons Michael Kennedy and his wife Sonya of Troy, MH and Matthew Kennedy of Roanoke; 14 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; one brother, Roger Kennedy of Norfolk, VA ; one sister, Wanda and Bob Bearden of Norfolk, VA and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be held Mo...

Virginia Pearl Simmons Persinger, 87, of the Woodlands Nursing & Rehabilitation, formerly of Bens Run Rd., died, Sunday May 6, 2018. Mrs. Persinger was born July 5, 1930 in Alleghany Co. the daughter of the late William Harvey and Emma Wolfe Simmons. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her Husband Lewis Arnold Persinger Sr. in 2017, a son Lewis Arnold Persinger Jr. six brothers Howard Simmons, Raymond Simmons, Harry Simmons, Walter Simmons, Roy Simmons and an infant brother, a sister Mae Redman. She was a member of the Church of God of Prophecy. In her free time she enjoyed sewing, crocheting, cooking and working on puzzles. Surviving are a son Harvey Persinger and wife Debbie of Covington,a daughter Dreama Robinson and significant other Eddie Newcomb of Clifton Forge, two grandchildren Jeremy Persinger and wife Kristi of Covington, Michaela Robinson and fianc Alex Plogger, of Clifton Forge, and a great grandson Jace Persinger of Covington, and a number of nieces a...

Sheila Switzer Reed, 71, of Castile Road, died Wednesday May 2, 2018 at Lewis Gale Alleghany Regional in Low Moor. Mrs. Reed was born February 8, 1947 in Alleghany County the daughter of the Lucille Barnett Switer and the late James Roy Switzer. In addition to her father she is preceded in death by her first husband Thomas Smith Sr., her second husband Ernest Buck Hicks, a sister Sharon Small and a baby brother Lewis Switzer. She was a member of the Lone Star Baptist Church and a caregiver for many people around the area. Surviving are her mother, her husband Roy Reed of Covington, ten children Chris Smith and wife Janice of Clifton Forge, Tabatha Small of Iron Gate, Jamie Hicks and wife Lynda of Clifton Forge, Mary Sorensen of Catawba, WV, Laura Hise of Covington, Raymond Reed of Catawba WV, Glenn Reed of Roanoke, Leona Horton of Covington, Arthur Hicks of Covington, and Anthony Hicks and a number of grand and great grandchildren. In keeping with her wishes her body has been cremated...

Mary Frances Wright Mays-Davis, 93, passed away peacefully in her home on April 28, 2018. Mrs. Mays-Davis was a lifelong resident of Covington, VA, and a most beloved member of that community. She is survived by her sisters, Ella(Max) Wright Scott Neese ( "Blackie") and Helen Wright Young; her niece, Suzanne(John) Scott Holley, her stepdaughter Julia Lee(Larry) Davis Brooks, her brother-in-law, Berkley (Mary) Mays, nieces Tammy(Harry) Mays Davis, Sandy(Bill) Mays Garber, nephew, Rick(Melinda) Mays, and several great nieces and nephews. Mary Frances is also survived by those she considered as family: Barbara (Henry) Claytor Trail, Rick (Rena) Claytor, Kristie(Steve) Claytor , Wayne (Dreama) Ogden, Nancy Byer Wolfe, Sherry (Rick) Byer Breeden, and Beverly Barnett. Mrs. Mays- Davis was preceded in death by her parents Perry F. Wright and Naomi Simmons Wright, her husbands, James Thomas Mays and John Lee Davis, and her niece, Laura Drumheller Thomas. Mary Frances graduated from Covington ...

John Patrick Taylor, 85, of Raleigh, NC, died, Saturday April 28, 2018 at his residence. Mr. Taylor was born June 14, 1932 in Sinks Grove, WV the son of the late Emory E. and L. Beatrice Honaker Taylor. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by three siblings Richard E. Taylor, Iris W. Dressler, and Ervin D. Taylor. John was a supervisor for the former Hercules textile company and served in the United States Navy Surviving are his son, Kent Taylor and wife Darlene of Daleville; a grandson Dereke Tarbox; three great grandchildren, Kierston Tarbox, Makayla Tarbox and Blake Tarbox; four nieces, Eunice Lee Dressler-Clark, Lisa Day Garst, Dawn Faye Dressler Winston, Kathy Taylor; great nieces and nephews Emily Moreschi Tardif, Rachel Moreshi, and Dr. Rafael Moreschi, Ashby Garst, a Sister in law Gaye Taylor. The funeral service will be held May 3, 2018 at 3:30 PM in the chapel at Arritt Funeral Home with the Rev. Doug Hollenbeck officiating. The family will receive their frien...

Carol Ann Rose Bradshaw, 78, of Covington, VA went into the arms of her loving Lord on Monday April 23, 2018. Carol was born on December 29, 1939 in Alleghany County, the daughter of the late Lewis Jackson and Ruth Sizer Rose. Carol was a former employee of the Industrial Rayon Plant and then became a devoted homemaker. She was a dedicated member of Pinnell Chapel United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday School for a number of years and was a member of the Women's Circle. Carol enjoyed gardening in the vegetable garden, tending to her flower beds, or just being outside to enjoy the view of the mountains. During the fall, she enjoyed driving through "God's Country" to enjoy the beauty of the mountains. One of her greatest joys were her two grandchildren, Josh and Brooke Humphries. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Richard Eugene Bradshaw of Covington, a daughter Teresa Humphries Stevens and husband Nate of Daleville, a son Michael Eugene Bradshaw of Covington, two gra...

Loretta Lynn Dunsmore, 45, of 108 Craig Ave., died Tuesday April 17, 2018 at Lewis Gale Alleghany Hospital in Low Moor. She was born November 12, 1972 in Greenbrier County, WV, a daughter of Nina Selleck Ratcliff Bostic of Covington and Victor Lee Dunsmore, Sr. of White Sulpur Springs WV. She was preceded in death by a niece Amber Dunsmore. Lorretta was employed by Food Lion in White Sulphur Springs, WW in the Deli Department for 17 years. She loved shopping and was always there for her family and friends. She loved to cook and was an amazing cake decorator. In addition to her parents she is survived by her two sons, Dallas Wayne Jarrell II and Liza Chestnut of Covington and Ryan Taylor Jarrell and Andara Taylor of Lewisburg; her brother, Victor Lee "Bo" Dunsmore Jr. and his wife Michelle of Lewisburg; her sister Wanda Nicely and Tom Linkenhoker of Clifton Forge; her best friend and sister, Melissa Dunsmore and her husband Dale of Glace, WV; her step father Dwight Bostic of Covington;...

Cleo Ann Edwards Stanley Cash, 80, of 601 N. Alleghany Ave, died Tuesday, April 17, 2018, at the Brian Center Rehabilitation & Nursing Care in Low Moor. She was born March 1, 1938, in Botetourt County, a daughter of the late Gordon Edwards and Minnie Smith Edwards. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Cash was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy Cash, in 2005 and also by three brothers, Carl Smith, Albert Smith and Bubby Smith and one sister, Jean Grogan. Mrs. Cash retired in 2003 from the Omni Homestead Resort in the Housekeeping Department. Surviving are two daughters, Roxanne Law and her husband, Welland, of Hot Springs and Rebecca Sue Woodruff of Covington ; three sons, Charles Stanley and Becky Tingler of Covington; Larry Stanley and his wife, Mindy, of West Palm Beach, FL and Pete Stanley and his wife, Jean, of Frederick, MD; a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren; one brother, Russell Edwards and his wife, Wanda, of Covington; two sisters, Dorothy Johnson of Frederic...

James William Henry Wiley, Jr., 75, of 721 Rose Avenue, Clifton Forge, died Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at his residence. Mr. Wiley as known to many as "Jimmy" or "Fireball". He was born October 9, 1942 in Covington, a son of the late James W. Wiley, Sr., and Carrie Hall Wiley. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Alfonso Wiley, Sr. and Raymond Wiley Sr. Mr. Wiley retired from MeadWestvao as a painter. Surviving are two daughters, Janene Wiley of Phoenix, AZ and SGT Amanda Huffman of Germany; one granddaughter, Lauren Wiley of Norfolk, VA; four sisters, Doris W. Clark of Covington; Mary Alexander of Woodbridge; Wanda House of Tyler, TX and Elaine Batts of Myrtle Beach, SC and a number of nieces and nephews. The family will receive their friends Saturday evening, April 14, 2018 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Arritt Funeral Home. A private service will be held Sunday....

James William Henry Wiley, Jr., 75, of 721 Rose Avenue, Clifton Forge, died Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at his residence. Mr. Wiley as known to many as "Jimmy" or "Fireball". He was born October 9, 1942 in Covington, a son of the late James W. Wiley, Sr., and Carrie Hall Wiley. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Alfonso Wiley, Sr. and Raymond Wiley Sr. Mr. Wiley retired from MeadWestvao as a painter. Surviving are two daughters, Janene Wiley of Phoenix, AZ and SGT Amanda Huffman of Germany; one granddaughter, Lauren Wiley of Norfolk, VA; four sisters, Doris W. Clark of Covington; Mary Alexander of Woodbridge; Wanda House of Tyler, TX and Elaine Batts of Myrtle Beach, SC and a number of nieces and nephews. The family will receive their friends Saturday evening, April 14, 2018 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Arritt Funeral Home. A private service will be held Sunday. Service Information A private service will be held on Sunday....

George Hubert Hancock, Jr., 79, of 214 Landis Drive, Hot Springs, died Tuesday April 10, 2018 at his residence. He was born March 27, 1939 in Alleghany County, a son of the late George H. Hancock, Sr. and Dorothy Via Hancock. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Matilda Andrews Hancock of 47 years and also two sisters, Nancy Fridley and Dottie Persinger. Mr. Hancock served with the United States Army in Germany. He retired from Westvaco in the Coding Department after 40 years of service. He was a member of Faith Baptist Church; Local Union 675 and a member of Cliff View Golf Course. George was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Union Hall in 2016. He was an avid golfer and outdoorsman. He had a passion for gardening and loved setting on his porch and watching the river. Surviving are his wife, Dale Burger Nicely of Hot Springs; three daughters, Amy Via and her husband Todd of Covington, Deidre Burns and her husband Terry of Roanoke and Lisa Knott ...