Obituaries

Myrtle Childress

May 12, 2025

Myrtle Jane Childress, 92, of Roanoke, left us to be with her Savior on Monday, May 12, 2025. Myrtle was a member of Grace Bible Church in Daleville since 2005. The first day she attended she brought many others with her and prayed that the church would be friendly and preach by Bible. Those prayers were answered as soons as...

Jerry Wright

May 11, 2025

Jerry Lawrence Wright, 68, of Fincastle, Virginia, passed away peacefully on May 11, 2025. surrounded by family and friends after a long illness. Jerry was born April 18, 1957 in Radford, Virginia, and was preceded in death by his father, Garland Leo Wright, his mother, Emma Lee Richardson, brother Garland Leo Wright, Jr., and a baby sister. Jerry worked at...

Ruth Wright

May 10, 2025

Ruth Ann Wright, 73, of Fincastle passed away Saturday, May 10, 2025. Born May 26, 1951 in Madison, WV to the late Mary Susan Stevens McBrayer and Roy McBrayer, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Arthur Wright, Jr.; grandchild, Decklyn Trent; and mother-in-law, Roxie Dollman Wright.

She is survived by her sons, Allen Shaun McBrayer...

Freddie Johnson

May 7, 2025

Freddie Lee Johnson, Sr., 73, of Buchanan, passed away Wednesday, May 7, 2025. He was preceded in death by his parents; mother, Daisy Washington, father, Garrett Johnson, Sr.; two sisters, Shirley Terry and Lucille Johnson; three brothers, James Glover, Billy Glover, and Davie Johnson; and son, Todd Washington. Freddie was a member of Buchanan Church of God in Christ.

...

Victoria Saville

May 5, 2025

In Loving Memory of Victoria "Vickie" Grove Saville

Victoria "Vickie" Ray Saville (81) of Eagle Rock, Virginia, formerly of Selma, Virginia, passed into eternity with our Heavenly Father on May 5, 2025.

Born on April 25, 1944, Vickie was a beloved wife and Mamaw, whose love and devotion to her family were unwavering. She found joy...

Billie Harris

May 1, 2025

Billie T. Harris went to be with the Lord and reunite with his wife Juanita on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at the age of 90. He was born in Elton, West Virginia where he grew up with his 9 brothers.

He served in the U.S. Army as a teletype and crypto repairman in France. Billie took pride in...

Hollis Kessler

Apr 30, 2025

Hollis Gerald "Jerry" Kessler, 79, of Buchanan, Virginia, passed away unexpectedly

at his home on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

Jerry was born on January 19, 1946, and was preceded in death by his parents, Cline

and Virginia, and brother-in-law Wayne Conner.

Left to cherish his memory is his devoted wife of 58 years, Carol Kessler. Jerry is also

survived by...

Ryan Keith Simmons

Apr 29, 2025

Ryan Keith Simmons, 23, of Eagle Rock, passed away Tuesday, April 29, 2025. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Mildred and Clinton Fridley.

He is survived by his mother and step-father, Penny and Stacy Anderson; father, Keith Simmons; brother and sister-in-law, Keaton and Sherri Simmons; nephew, Korben Simmons; step-sister, Alexis Anderson and fiance', Dustin Nida; and her children, Landon...

Beth Smith

Apr 28, 2025

Beth Bower Smith, 69, passed away on Monday, April 28, 2025. She was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Smith; parents, Harvey Bower and Margaret Bower; and sister, Lana Meador.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Grey and Megan Smith; grandson, Jaxon Smith; and granddaughter, Sadie Smith.

Services for Beth will be private. Online condolences may be made at...

Timothy B. Snyder

Apr 23, 2025

Timothy B. Snyder, 69, of Buchanan, passed away Wednesday, April 23, 2025. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas, Sr. and Virginia Snyder; and brother, George Snyder.

Tim was a 1973 graduate of Stonewall Jackson High School in Mount Jackson, VA. He was a 1977 graduate of VMI in Civil Engineering and went on to serve in the U....

Wm. Corey Cash

Apr 22, 2025

Wm. Corey Cash, 39, of Buchanan, passed away Tuesday, April 22, 2025. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Carl and Virginia Wymer, William Cash, Sr.; and uncle, Willliam Cash, Jr.

He is survived by his parents, Lisa and Andy Gilliam, Eddie and Connie Wymer; daughter, Lynnie Hancock; siblings, April and Lee Johnson, Andrew and Ashley Gilliam, Amanda Gilliam, Noah...

Gloria Ann Lester Strickler

Apr 16, 2025

Gloria Ann Lester Strickler, 86, of Fincastle, passed away Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Family was Gloria’s hobby, as well as being involved in the work of Mill Creek Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her former husband, Gene Allan Strickler; her parents, Hubert James Lester and Edna Clay Baker Lester; sisters, Jean Pendry and Frances Baird. Survivors...

Hugh Leon Brannan

Apr 14, 2025

Hugh "Leon" Brannan, 91, of Troutville, passed away Monday, April 14, 2025. Born May 23, 1933 to parents, David Calvin Brannan, Sr. and Ruth Ammon Piner Brannan, he was one of 7 children.

Leon was proud to be a lifelong resident of Botetourt County and graduated from Fincastle High School in 1950. Drafted into the Army in 1956, a favorite story...

Violet Virginia Johnson Tripp

Apr 7, 2025

Violet Virginia Johnson Tripp, 89, passed away Monday, April 7, 2025. She was preceded in death by her husband, Norris Lynn Tripp; parents, Oris M. Johnson, Sr. and Pearl Lee Johnson; grandson, W.R. Tripp; brother, David Johnson; and sister, Ann Gill.

She was a loving mother and grandmother. Violet enjoyed sewing, word searches, baking, gardening,...

Anita Lou Thompson

Apr 7, 2025

Anita Lou Petty Thompson of Lexington, Virginia formerly of Buchanan passed into eternity on

Monday April 7, 2025. Anita was born in the family home on February 23 rd , 1942, the third child of

Frank William and Louise Rycroft Petty. As the middle child, Anita defied convention, made her own

imprint on...

Brenda Ann Hearn

Apr 5, 2025

Brenda Ann Hearn, 60, of Buchanan, passed away Saturday, April 5, 2025. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Jessica Kennedy; mother, Janie Dudley Deacon; father, Clarence Cash; and sister, Donna Deacon.

She is survived by her children, Roxanna Carter (Danny), Brandon Hearn (Morgan); grandchildren, Julia (Austin), McKayla, EJ, and Jaelyn, Tyler, Haley, and...

William Painter Simmons

Apr 1, 2025

William (Willie) Painter Simmons of Fincastle died on April 1, 2025, at the age of 69.

Willie always said his three passions in life were his son, motorcycles, and woodturning. He followed those passions through the end of his life – he made sure to FaceTime with his son (and his granddogs) weekly, take motorcycle...

Kathleen Marie Keith

Mar 30, 2025

Kathleen “Kathy” Marie Keith, 61, of Buchanan, passed away on March 30, 2025. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Louise Thompson; sisters, Arlene Price and Linda Wolf; and brother David Thompson.

Kathy retired from Lowe’s after 31 of service. She enjoyed her work and work family. If something needed to be...

Norma Jean Gibson Stevens

Mar 18, 2025

Norma Jean Gibson Stevens, 69, of Fincastle, passed away on March 18, 2025. She was born June 28, 1955, to the late Calvin Frazier Gibson and Oma Jane Underwood Gibson. Also preceding her in death are her 3 brothers, Jarvey Qubert, Alma Cecil, Dallas Frazier Gibson; and two sisters, Patty Luceal Gibson Divers and Callie Thelma Gibson Bryant.

...

Diane Lynn Waterfield Ensminger

Mar 16, 2025

Diane “Ms.E” Lynn Ensminger, 70, a loving mother, cherished Nana, and the heart of our

family, passed away on March 16, 2025.

Diane’s greatest joy in life was her family. As a mother, she was kind, caring, and always

there with an open heart. To her grandchildren, she was the best Nana anyone...