Glenna Long Lipes, 99, of Covington, slipped out of this life and into glory on February 23, 2023, following a sudden illness. She was the widow of Arthur C. Lipes, who died on March 4, 2005. They shared 61 years of marriage.

Glenna was born November 20, 1923, in Roanoke County, Virginia, to the late Arthur Raymond Long and Sarah Victoria Young Long. Her three brothers, Raymond, Owen, and Ernest, and her sister, Dorothy May also preceded her in death.

Glenna loved her Lord, and was a devout and faithful member of South Covington United Methodist Church for 85 years. She was an active member of the South Covington United Methodist Women, having served in many capacities, and was the current President. She served her church on many committees, taught Sunday School, directed the Children’s Choir for many years, as well as singing in the Adult Choir, and was Church Treasurer for 35 years.

She graduated from Covington High School, worked at the Covington News Agency, and also worked for a while as a seamstress at Ritsch’s Cleaners. Her main career was loving and caring for her family in so many ways including the best birthday cakes ever. She was a gifted seamstress, who particularly enjoyed sewing for her family, even sewing her daughters’ wedding dresses and dresses for the bridal parties. In her more recent years, she enjoyed crocheting and watching golf, game shows and Hallmark Channel on TV. Mom was never known to let anybody down. In fact, her strong faith, courage and wisdom inspired us, and we regularly used the word “amazing” to describe her. 1 Peter 3:4 “rather, let your adornment be the inner self with the lasting beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God’s sight.”

Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Sarah Rector and husband Joe of Leesville, South Carolina, Linda Black and husband Ronnie of Covington; her granddaughter, Christina Clark, and great-grandson, Brandon Clark of Hardy; and her grandson, Will Rector and his wife Kathryn of Gilbert, South Carolina, and Christina’s fiancé, Philip Hoover of Clifton Forge. Glenna was Aunt to many favorite nieces and nephews and their families, including her “like a son” nephew, Ray Lipes. Her family is forever indebted to her loving friends and faithful caregivers, Mable Mann, Libby Weikle, Connie Rose, and Wanda Jamison, and to her beloved hairdresser, Anna Brown. Also surviving are her Church family, those who had adopted her as Mother and Grandmother, and many “like family” friends, who showed her so much love.

The funeral service will be held on Sunday February 26, 2023, at 1:30 PM at the South Covington United Methodist Church with the Pastor Joe Rose officiating.

The interment will follow at Alleghany Memorial Park.

The family will receive their friends on Sunday at the church from 12:30 until service time.

Pallbearers will be Ray Lipes, Will Rector, Brandon Clark, James Mathias, Phillip Hoover, Marty Montgomery.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Rick Smith and Tommy May.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to South Covington United Methodist Church, 1911 S. Kadel Avenue, Covington VA 24426.

The funeral arrangements are being handled by Arritt Funeral Home.