Obituaries

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...

Jul 20, 2023

Meredith “Reedie” Beckner Waid, July 15, 1929 – July 20, 2023 Meredith “Reedie” Beckner Waid, 94, of Fincastle, VA, passed away July 20, 2023. She is preceded in death by her parents, Gordie Ferrell Beckner and William Edward Beckner of Bedford, VA, and Robert Waid, her husband of 67 years. She is survived by her daughters Bobbie Bowman and...

Jul 14, 2023

Mark Alan Simpson, 62, of Fincastle, passed away Friday, July 14, 2023. Mark was preceded in death by his wife, Deborah Ann Wood Simpson in April 2020. He worked for Gilliam and Mundy Well Drilling Company for over 30 years. Mark loved hunting and fishing but excelled in his artistic abilities in drawing and carving.

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Jul 14, 2023

Alison Louise Cordero, daughter of Robert and Virginia Baker, began her earthly journey on August 8, 1950 in Renton, WA and entered into heavenly peace on July 14, 2023 in Salem, VA. Alison graduated from Eisenhower High School, Yakima WA, in 1968 and Yakima Business College in 1969.

Alison started her professional career as a...

Jul 10, 2023

Dustin Clinton Delp, 35, of Buchanan, passed away Monday, July 10, 2023. He is survived by his father, Dwayne Clifton Delp; mother, Sandra Gayle Oliver; brothers, Thomas Dwayne Delp, Gregory Allen Delp, Clifton Wayne Delp, Joseph Delp, Marciano “Rocky” Dooley, and Matthew Delp; sisters, Lisa Marie Delp, Amy Delp, and Deonne Delp; aunt, Angela Love Green; niece,...

Jul 8, 2023

Douglas Browning Mason, Sr., 83, of Buchanan, passed away Saturday, July 8, 2023. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sylvia Stinnett Mason; his parents, William B. and Irene Browning Mason and brother, William B. Mason, Jr. Doug had retired from Verizon Telephone Company. He enjoyed the outdoors by hunting and fishing. And was a lifetime member of...