Obituaries

Jul 7, 2023

William John Adam Watkins, 47, of Natural Bridge, VA was greeted at the gates of heaven on July 7, 2023. He was greeted by his parents; Harlon Reed Watkins and Ester Kaye Blackburn Watkins.

Throughout his life Adam took on many roles: dad, brother, friend, and most recently a child of God. He was a...

Jun 26, 2023

Rebecca Wright Taylor, 68, of Buchanan, passed away Monday, June 26, 2023. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dewey and Joy Wright; children, Rebecca Marie Weeks and Christopher Allen Weeks.

Survivors include her husband, Thomas “John Henry” Taylor; step-daughters, Charlotte (Will) Hill, Ellen Taylor; granddaughters, Stephanie Sloan, Samantha Hill; sisters, Joyce Ann (Allen) Fridley; Vicky...

Jun 26, 2023

Elbert Eugene “Pete” Broughman, 72, of Buchanan, passed away Monday, June 26, 2023. Pete was a Viet Nam Veteran, a carpenter by trade, and loved hunting and fishing with his buddies. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elbert “Bud” and Evelyn Montgomery Broughman and son, Christopher Broughman. Survivors include his son, Jamie Broughman; aunt, Estaleane Montgomery of...

Jun 22, 2023

Michael Allen Hickman, 48, of Lexington, passed away Thursday, June 22, 2023. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, John and Mary Hickman, Hiram and Josephine Dudley.

He is survived by his father, Carson “Pete” Hickman; special great aunts, Joyce and Vera Dudley; special uncle and best friend, Bobby Dudley; cousins, Debbie Ayers and...

Jun 21, 2023

Dawn Renee McCullough Reed, 52, of Buchanan, passed away Wednesday, June 21, 2023. She was preceded in death by her father, Philip R. McCullough, Sr., and uncle, Joseph McCullough.

She is survived by her son, Keith Reed; mother, Patti Brumit; brother and sister-in-law, Phillip and Tammy McCullough; nephews, Phillip Stewart McCullough, Dalton (Stephanie) McCullough; niece,...

Jun 15, 2023

Jantzen Wade Powell, 44 of Blacksburg formerly of Buchanan, left this earthly realm Thursday, June 15, 2023. He was preceded in death by his brother, Jason Powell; and grandparents, Elizabeth and Richard Sloan and Branson Powell; and fur baby, Nero.

He is survived by his parents, John and Josephine Powell; brother and sister-in-law, Justin and...

Jun 14, 2023

Shirley Mart Benson, 85 of Fincastle, passed away Wednesday, June 14, 2023. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence E. Benson, Jr.; children, Lynyrd Franzen and Erin Gayle Franzen-Heitzmann; and grandson, Mark Allen Thompson, II.

She is survived by her daughter, Sheri Joy Glandon; grandchildren, Michael S. Franzen, Christopher David (Chazzlynn Goodson) Glandon,...

Jun 12, 2023

Alfred Ray Crawford, 72 of Buchanan, passed away Monday, June 12, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents, David and Virgie Crawford; brother, Earl Crawford; an infant sister, Linda Crawford.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Cynthia Ayers Crawford; daughter, Linda Faye Smith; grandchildren, Amber Nicolee and Danielle Renee Smith;...

Jun 10, 2023

JoAnn Riley Crider, 76, of Troutville left this world to walk with her heavenly Father, Saturday, June 10,2023. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Erwin Crider, two sisters; Geraldine Harless and Shirley Brads, one brother; Robert Riley, a daughter of the late Albert Riley and Lillie Riley Goodwin.

Left to cherish her...

Jun 4, 2023

Tammie Lacks Frate, 52, of Troutville, passed away Sunday, June 4, 2023. She was owner and operator of Tammie’s Place in Buchanan just recently celebrating her first year of business with her loving staff. She was preceded in death by her mother, Sheila Sarver Hagy; brother, Roy Nathan Lacks, Jr.; grandparents, Robert “Nandaddy” and Lizzie “Nannie” Lacks; John and...

Jun 3, 2023

Jennifer Dawn Goad, 40 of Roanoke, formerly of Fincastle, Virginia departed this life on Saturday, June 3, 2023, with her husband by her side. Born in Virginia on July 1, 1982, she was the beloved daughter of Patricia Page.

Jennifer enjoyed crafting, spoiling her fur baby, visiting with her mom, helping others and making them...

May 29, 2023

Juanita Linkenhoker Kempfer, 80, of Buchanan passed away Monday, May 29, 2023.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Leona Linkenhoker. She worked in various convenience stores in Buchanan and for the last several years was the morning face at Happy Food Mart.

She is survived by her brother, Glenn Linkenhoker; nephew, McKenzie Linkenhoker...

May 13, 2023

John “Bill” Gibson Dunbar, 83, of Fincastle, passed away Saturday, May 13, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil, Sr. and Helen Dunbar; sister-in-law, Brenda Grice Dunbar; and nephew, Duane Allen Dunbar.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Evelyn Burger Dunbar; sons Steve and Greg Dunbar; grandchildren, Ashley Dunbar, Brittney Duncan...

May 10, 2023

Earl Erskin “Nochie” Dudley, 82, of Botetourt County, passed away Wednesday, May 10, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hiram and Josephine Dudley; son, Alvin Dudley; brothers, Norman, Leonard, Billy, Robert, Ruby, and Harry Dudley.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Vera Hickman Dudley; daughters and son-in-law, Brenda St. Clair; Gaynelle...

May 8, 2023

Tawanya Gail Ayers, 55, of Rocky Mount formerly of Botetourt County, passed away Monday, May 8, 2023. She was preceded in death by her father, Alfred Ayers.

She is survived by her sons, Chris Ayers and fiancé, Staci Hudson; Cody Ayers and wife, Diane; mother, Adrianna Kirby “Diane Ayers”; grandchildren, Emily, Esmeriah, CJ, and Parklyn Ayers; brothers...

May 2, 2023

Jason William Zell, 41, of Eagle Rock, passed away Tuesday, May 2, 2023. He was preceded in death by his infant son, Jason, Jr.; grandparents, J.W. III and Martha Zell; and Junior Campbell.

Jason loved to hunt, fish, ride 4-wheelers and motorcycles, and was a “Jack” of all trades.

He is survived by his daughters,...

Apr 29, 2023

Ronnie Ernest Campbell, 77, of Blue Ridge, passed away Saturday, April 29, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert and Josie Campbell; brothers, Robert and Jimmy Campbell; and sister, Jean Blessard.

Ronnie was a US Navy Veteran serving two tours in Vietnam and presented with a purple heart.

He retired from Roanoke...

Apr 21, 2023

Palma Payne Innis, 93, of Roanoke formerly of Bloomington, Indiana, passed away Friday, April 21, 2023. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Caroline Payne; son, Mickey Innis; daughter-in-law, Martha Innis; and great-granddaughter, Elise Engle.

Survivors include her children and their spouses, Terry and Judy Innis, Robin McMurry and special friend, Rick LaRock, Dana...

Apr 9, 2023

Carol Jean Conner Mullins Loope, 70, of Buchanan, passed away peacefully on Easter Morning, Sunday, April 9, 2023. She was preceded in death by her parents, Luther Wilson and Bertha Mae Kelley Conner; and brother, David Parker. Survivors include her husband of 40 years, Roy Lee Loope; her children and spouses, Teresa Mullins (Michael) Hodges of Buchanan, Kevin Tyler...

Apr 6, 2023

Jerry Edwin Lakes, 73, of Botetourt County, passed away Thursday, April 6, 2023. He was preceded in death by his son, Ronald Edwin Lakes; parents, Edwin and Eva Lakes; six siblings, Arthur D. Lakes, Elmer Lakes, Hubert Lakes, Emma Cochran, Helen Burnell, Pearl Bratcher, and Virginia Faye Ballinger.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Delma Alexander...