Obituaries

Oct 3, 2023

Thomas “John Henry” Edward Taylor, 76, of Buchanan, passed away Tuesday, October 3, 2023. Born November 12, 1946 to parents, Leo and Della Campbell Taylor, John Henry was the youngest of his deceased parents and siblings, Wesley Edward “Nubbin” Taylor, Eva Mae “Sallie” Harris (Harry B. Harris, Jr.), and Betty Jean Welch (Louis E. Welch). Also preceding him in...

Sep 25, 2023

David Lee Musselwhite, 63, of Fincastle, passed away Sunday, September 24, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents, David and Minnie Musselwhite.

He was presently working at Medeco Security Locks with just under 42 years of service. He enjoyed spending time with his family, anything to do with cars; especially Dodges, going to the beach,...

Sep 25, 2023

Janis Ann Keim, 67, of Penrose NC, passed away on Monday, September 25, 2023.

Surviving are her beloved wife, Cindy Ann Thomas, Penrose NC; brother, Will Keim, Santa Rosa CA; brother & sister-in law, Wally & Lori Keim, The Woodlands TX; nieces Kaley McMillan, Tori Ward, Nikki Keim, Jenny Richards and their families, all of...

Sep 22, 2023

Deborah Ann Landis Nininger, 73, of Eagle Rock, passed away Friday, September 22, 2023. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Betty Landis; daughter, Janis Wimbish, and granddaughter, Kathleen Harlow.She is survived by her husband of 30 years, Gerald Nininger; daughter and son-in-law,Virginia Wimbish and Doug West; grandchildren, Darrell Harlow, Austin Wimbish,Rebecca Harlow, Billie Nelson, and...

Sep 22, 2023

Charles Reid McMurry, Jr. of Daleville, Virginia, died on September 22, 2023. He was preceded in death by his father Charles Reid McMurry and is survived by his mother, Betsy Keith McMurry, his siblings and their spouses, Leslianne Smith, Keith McMurry, Chris McMurry (Dana), and Nan McMurry (Kevin Kelly). He is also survived by his nieces Marietta, Dana, Cara...

Sep 15, 2023

James Andrew “Jimmy” Fox, Jr., 77, of Buchanan passed away Friday, September 15, 2023. Jimmy was one of Buchanan’s beloved characters, known to many as the “lawnmower rider”. He worked for several contractors as a mud mixer and for trash collectors in the Buchanan area for over 35 years. His smile and laughter will not be forgotten. Jimmy was...

Sep 13, 2023

Rena Merrill Wright Tolley, 90, of Buchanan, passed away Wednesday, September 13, 2023. She was preceded in death by her parents, Morris and Bessie Wright; husband, James R. Tolley, Sr.; daughter, Diane Tolley McLane; grandson, Joseph Spencer Tolley; great-granddaughter, Abbagayle Blankenship; sisters, Marcella Coffey, Virginia Luckado, and Esther Martin; and brothers, Chester, Kenneth, Wilber, Dewey, and William Wright.

Sep 4, 2023

Robert Jerome “Bobby” Kern, 67, of Buchanan, passed away Monday, September 4, 2023. Bobby was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Keith Kern; brother-in-law, Greg Stull; uncle, Jimmy Kern; and cousin, Amber D’Angelo. Bobby was an avid sportsman that included hunting and fishing, but most importantly a wonderful husband and father. Survivors include his wife of 31 years,...

Aug 30, 2023

Della W. Ballard, 68, loving mother and partner passed away peacefully on August 30, 2023 to be with the Lord. She was born on December 7, 1955, and was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth Austin Long and Chalmer R. Wilhelm; and sister, Glenda Fay Ruff (Tink).

She is survived by two sisters, Darlene...

Aug 25, 2023

Susan Elaine Gill, 75, of Buchanan, passed away suddenly at her home on Friday, August 25, 2023. A Botetourt County native, Susan graduated from Lord Botetourt High School in 1965. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hilda Gill Womack and M.M. Gill; her grandparents, Lewis Legion Otey and Annie Watson Otey. Susan is survived by his husband,...

Aug 25, 2023

Kenneth Lee Willis, I, 66, of Roanoke, passed away Friday, August 25, 2023. He was preceded in death by his wife, Delcinia Earllease Willis; sister, Marie Willis; and brother, Ray Willis.

Kenneth was a member of First Baptist Church in Buchanan and Fincastle, he was an avid sportsman, a friend to all, but most importantly a wonderful...

Aug 19, 2023

Wayne Lee Painter, Jr., 63, of Buchanan, passed away on Saturday, August 19, 2023. He was preceded in death by his father, Wayne Lee Painter, Sr; grandparents, Hurcil and Phyllis McDaniel, Elsie and Bruce Painter; and step-sister, Dawn Reed.

He is survived by his wife, Tamara “Tammy” Painter, mother, Marie Burge; daughter and son-in-law, Whitney and Nathan...

Aug 18, 2023

Wanda Pring McKinney, 81, of Buchanan, passed away on Friday, August 18, 2023. She was preceded in death by her husband, Acie Amos McKinney; son, Kenneth Ray McKinney; parents, Thurman and Lillian Pring; and brothers, William, Phillip, and Walter Pring.

Wanda was an active member of the community including Arcadia Baptist Church, Buchanan Moose Lodge, Town Improvement...

Aug 13, 2023

Eva Rhonalda (Ron) Moore Hostetter, 65, of Buchanan, passed away Sunday, August 13, 2023 surrounded by her loving family. Eva (Ron) retired as a certified nursing assistant, she was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was preceded in death by her parents, William R., Sr. and Edith Mae Vest Moore; and her brother, Steve Moore. Survivors include...

Aug 4, 2023

Douglas F. (Doug) Bruce, 60, Eagle Rock, Virginia, departed his earthly home on Friday, August 4, 2023, at the VA Medical Center in Salem. Born July 2, 1963, in Cook County, Illinois to Bill and JoAnn Bruce. He was the older brother of David, Carlyn Bruce Ruble and Debra Bruce. He is survived by his wife of 34 years,...

Jul 30, 2023

Patricia Ann “Pete” Perry Boggess, 69, of Buchanan, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 30, 2023. She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Stella Perry; sister and brother-in-law, Norma and Carl May; brother-in-law, Charles Giles, Jr.; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

She is survived by her sister, Shelby...

Jul 30, 2023

Gwyneth Myrtle Stevens Montgomery’s address changed from her farm located along the James River,to her heavenly home on July 30, 2023. Gwen, born in Newmarket England on September 15, 1932, lived during a time many of us only read about. She lived through the WW2 food rations, frequent bombing, and the day-to-day fears of the war. She married American...

Jul 29, 2023

Deborah Sue Newcomb, 61, of Buchanan, passed away on Saturday, July 29, 2023. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Rosalie Newcomb; brother, James “Booger” Newcomb;

She is survived by her daughters, Sasha and April Hodges; grandchildren, Joseph Tyler and Serenity; siblings, Betty Jean and Larry O’Conner, Angela “Tweety” Newcomb, Kenneth Newcomb, Alan (Missy)...

Jul 21, 2023

Marcus Lee Simpson, 94, a lifetime resident of Fincastle, Va., was born December 15, 1928 and passed away Friday, July 21, 2023. Marcus was preceded in death by his parents, Osborne Marcus and Elsie Paxton Simpson; sister, Peggy Simpson Craft; and son, Mark Simpson. He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Vickie and Ernie Stacey, Rhonda and Ronnie...

Jul 20, 2023

Travis A. Smith, 40, of Eagle Rock, finally received his healed body on Thursday, July 20, 2023. Affectionately known by his family as “Jake”, a nickname his Grandma Smith gave him when he was young, was born April 21, 1983 to Dennis Smith and the late Linda Huff Wyatt. In addition to his mom, he was preceded in death...