Mrs. Barbara Drumheller Leitch, age 79, of Covington, died Friday, September 25, 2026, at LewisGale Hospital-Alleghany. She was the wife of Preston L. Leitch.
Mrs. Leitch was born December 31, 1946 in Alleghany County, the daughter of the late Ernest Melvin Drumheller and Willis Mae Liptrap Drumheller. A lifetime resident of this community, she was a graduate of Covington High School, Class of 1964. Barbara had been employed as a hairdresser by the former Willis Beauty Shop for a number of years before her retirement. She was a member of Covington Baptist Church.
In addition to her husband, Preston, Mrs. Leitch is survived by two sons, Christopher Todd Leitch and wife, Cathy of Valley Ridge and Preston (Pete) Ernest Leitch and wife, Sarah of Covington; a granddaughter, Elaina Grace Leitch; a number of cousins, including special cousin, Carol Wilson of Clifton Forge.
The family will receive their friends on Thursday evening from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the chapel of Loving Funeral Home.
Per Barbara's request, there will be no formal service.
The family suggests that memorial tributes take the form of contributions to Alleghany Humane Society, 9313 Rich Patch Road, Covington, VA 24426.
Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; to view Barbara's memorial tribute page, please visit www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.
Mrs. Mildred Persinger Walker, age 92, of Covington, died Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at the Woodlands Nursing Home and Rehab, Clifton Forge. She was preceded in death by her husband and love of her life, Charles W. Walker.
Mrs. Walker was born August 31, 1934 in Alleghany County, the daughter of the late Alvin Rock “Buck” Persinger and Dorothy Peters Persinger. She went to work for Industrial Rayon/Hercules as a secretary and worked there for more than 25 years until moving from the area. She continued in that career until her retirement in 2000.
She was a lifetime member of Virginia Preceptor Chi Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi. Those ladies were all like sisters and were the best of friends. They were always there for each other. The sisterhood they had was also carried on to their children and their grandchildren. She was also in a bridge club that met for more than 30 years. Before moving away from Covington, Millie was very active in numerous community organizations. She & her first husband, Jerry were very active and held office in the Covington Quarterback Club. Mildred was a majorette in high school and at the age of 89, she and several of her friends marched in the Covington High School Reunion. She and her friend, Dottie Gaylor were the original founders of the “Covington Highliters,” where she talked her son Jay, into playing the drums for them when marching in the parades. They even performed in the Richmond Christmas Parade.
Millie & her husband, Charlie, attended Annapolis Sailing School, which led to a very adventurous life of sailing from Maryland to Florida, to the many islands in Bermuda, the Atlantic Ocean, and up and down the Inland Waterway. They loved sailing together in their beloved “Puff” with their friends in the Chesapeake Bay area. During their retirement years they lived on the Rappahannock River, where they met Bob & Caroline. Millie & Caroline instantly formed a very special bond & referred to each other as sisters. Every afternoon they would meet at the “social bench” looking out over the Rappahannock River and share a beer & glass of wine. After their husbands passed, the ladies still met everyday & when Millie moved back to Covington, they would call each other every day, talk about life, and memories and have their beer and glass of wine.
Mrs. Walker is survived by a daughter, Jan Armontrout and husband, Charles of Covington; a daughter-in-law, Judy Phillips; three grandchildren, Lisa Warren Brown and husband, Billy, R.J. Warren and wife, Christy and Loveda Warren. In addition to her husband and her parents, Mrs. Walker was preceded in death by a son, Jerry “Jay” Phillips, Jr. and a beloved aunt who helped raise her, Flora “Doll” Persinger. Mrs. Walker was a member of Covington Baptist Church where she sang in the choir there when raising her children.
In her words, “They walked down the isle in 1976 to the tune of Love Story and they truly lived it for 38 years. She reached for his hand & it was always there.”
A funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 P.M., Thursday, September 24, 2026, from the chapel of Loving Funeral Home with Rev. Mike Warren officiating. Interment will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Thursday morning from 11:00 A.M. until time of service at Loving Funeral Home.
The family suggests that memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the Alleghany Humane Society, 9313 Rich Patch Road, Covington, VA 24426.
Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; to view Mrs. Walker's memorial tribute page, please visit www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.
Our beloved mother, Shelby “Shellie” J. (Meeks) Manspeaker of Brentwood, TN passed away peacefully at the age of 89 on May 19, 2026. Born and raised in Covington, VA, Shellie was the daughter of Alvin T. and Theora “Johnnie” Meeks. Shellie was the beloved and devoted wife of George S. Manspeaker. Married in Covington on June 25, 1960, George and Shellie spent their lives together until his death in December, 2022.
Shellie was quiet and unassuming. A country girl at heart, she raised her three children (Steve, Robyn and Scott) all while moving around the world and serving her nation as an Air Force spouse and, more importantly, devoted mother. Shellie was the backbone of the family. She managed eight moves, living in seven different states, as well as Germany, all while keeping her three children in tow. Shellie loved traveling and discovered many places she loved, but her heart never left Virginia!
Shellie is survived by her brothers Alvin T. “AT” Meeks Jr. and Charles B. “Bucky” Meeks; children Stephen (Trish) Manspeaker, Robyn (Brad) Snyder, and Scott (Kim) Manspeaker; and grandchildren Tyler Manspeaker, Gracey Manspeaker, Megan Manspeaker, Morgan Manspeaker and Gavin Manspeaker.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, July 18, 2026 from the chapel of Loving Funeral Home with Rev. Doug Hollenbeck officiating..
Local arrangements will be handled by Loving Funeral Home; to visit Shellie's memorial tribute page, please visit www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com
Mr. Paul Michael (Mike) Bodkin, age 74, of Clifton Forge, died Friday, October 10, 2025, at Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Roanoke.
Mike was born, June 13, 1951 in Clifton Forge, VA. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Wright Bodkin and Mildred Hicks Bodkin and his younger brother, Steve Bodkin.
Mike is survived by his wife of 38 years, Elizabeth Tucker Bodkin. They were married on the Summit of Sharp Top Mountain, Peaks of Otter on the Blue Ridge Parkway in September, 1987 which required special permission by the U.S. Government to hold their wedding there. For years, they hiked to the Summit in celebration of their anniversary. This year they celebrated with a nice dinner at the local restaurant.
Mike is also survived by his step-daughter, Cherie Brown of Covington; his step-granddaughter, Autumn Vallandingham, her husband, Jacob, and step- great grandson, Harrison, all of Ohio. Also, a niece, Sherry Dawson, a great nephew, Myca Simmons and his hunting buddy and great niece, Jessah Levisay.
Mike was a graduate of Covington High School and the former Dabney S. Lancaster Community College. He served his country with the United States Air Force and was based at OSAN AFB, Korea for a year.
Mike served 28 years as coordinator for Hunters for the Hungry in the Covington area. Mike was an avid hunter and after reading about the feeding program in our local newspaper, he contacted David Horne and staff about serving this area. They agreed. In addition to his most recent duties of coordinating delivery dates and sites, he initially drove to the processing area in Amherst and transported the venison to the Salvation Army in Covington. In recent year, deliveries have been made to Covington where Mike would assist in distribution to the Salvation Army as well as food banks at some area churches. Mike's wish would be that the generous benefactors who have supported this feeding program will continue to do so.
Mike had always been an outdoor person. His employment with U.S. Forest Service was a perfect fit, whether he was trekking through the woods painting boundary lines and marking timber or busy at Lake Moomaw at Coles Point, where he was permanently assigned during the busy recreational season. He was responsible for conducting state-required water tests, fee collections and supervising employees in the League of Older Americans in their immaculate upkeep of the beach and surrounding areas. He was also responsible for upkeep and repair of the facilities of the campgrounds and reporting of needed major repairs. He also assisted the numerous campground hosts with their needs and made many new friends over the years.
Mike also maintained a close relationship with Smokey Bear who delighted the young campers on weekends. His wife, Elizabeth, a volunteer assistant often helped with handing out goodie bags and translating messages from Smokey since he never spoke.
His career with the U.S. Forest Service eventually ended after he was seriously injured in an on-the-job accident in 2011.
In accordance with his wishes, Mike has been cremated.
A memorial service will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Friday, November 14, 2025, from the chapel of Loving Funeral Home with Rev. David Brown officiating..
The family will receive friends on Friday afternoon following the service.
Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; to view Mr. Bodkin's memorial tribute page and to get service updates, please visit www.lovingfunralhome1913.com
Covington Resident, MeadWestvaco Retiree and Decorated Marine Corps Vietnam Veteran, Dies At Age 78
Marvin Nelson Scott, 78, of Covington, Virginia, passed away on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at Lewis Gale Alleghany Hospital, Low Moor, Virginia.
Born September 18, 1946 in Alleghany County, he was a son of the late Bret and Lula Frances (Reynolds) Scott.
Marvin was a loving and devoted father, grandfather, and friend. Prior to retirement, Marvin was employed by MeadWestvaco Company, where he was a faithful employee for over 30 years.
He was a U.S. Marine veteran, having served his country during the Vietnam War and rising to the rank of Lance Corporal. For his honorable service, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, President Unit Citation, Vietnam Service Medal, Purple Heart Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Sharpshooter Medal.
In previous years, Marvin was a member of the Covington Fire and Rescue Department.
As an avid outdoorsman, he greatly enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was most fond of animals and rescued many over the years. Those who knew him best will remember him for his generous ways, his willingness to give the shirt off his back to someone in need, and the thoughtfulness to help those less fortunate.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Monica Leigh Scott; granddaughter, Erin Nicole Keogh; great-grandson, Lucas Daniel Hensley; brother, Donald Norwood Scott; and sister, Nancy Scott Simmons.
Survivors include his two daughters, Melissa Ann Huffman and husband, Timothy, of Waynesboro and Jacqueline Scott Brady and husband, Richard, of Stuarts Draft; grandchildren, Ashton Brooke Watts, Dustin Scott Hensley, Alexis Devan Wood, Tara Kathryn Linkenhoker, Brette Lynn Clark, and James Cole Hoover; nine great-grandchildren; brother, Warren Harrison Scott and wife, Becky, of Covington; sister, Evelyn Knick and husband, Jack, of WA; the mother of his children, Carol A. Scott of Stuarts Draft; close friend, Peggy Urban of Covington; and a number of nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2025 in the Chapel of Loving Funeral Home with Pastor Adam Watts officiating.
Those desiring may make memorial contributions to Angels of Assisi online by visiting www.angelsofassisi.org/donate-now/ or the American Red Cross online by visiting www.redcross.org/donate/..
Arrangements have been entrusted to Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes of Waynesboro..
Relatives and friends may share condolences and memories with the family online by visiting www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com.
Beverly Williams Simpson, born January 30, 1953, in Alleghany County, Virginia, passed away in her home on February 11, 2025.
A lifelong resident of Alleghany County, Beverly dedicated over 40 years to nursing. She completed the RN program at Dabney S. Lancaster Community College in 1974 and later earned her BSN from Jefferson College of Health Sciences in 2000. Her committment to caring for others extended beyond her profession, as she was an active volunteer at Mountain View Elementary School and deeply involved in her church community.
Beverly found joy in spending time with her family and friends, reading, and giving back to those around her. She will be remembered for her kindness and dedication to both her loved ones and her community.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Freda Cale Williams. Left to cherish her memory are her husband Donnie Simpson of Covington, VA; daughter Kelly Hitt and husband Josh Hitt of Princeton, WV; son Brian Simpson of Covington, VA; father Haze N. Williams of Hot Springs, VA; sister Robin Hale of Bedford, VA; brothers Anthony Cale of Covington, VA and Robert Cale of Hot Springs, VA; four grandchildren, Bryce Simpson, Jaci Simpson, Cole Simpson, and Andrew Hitt; nephews and nieces Jonathan Hylton and wife Michele Hylton, Chris Dutton and husband Dave Dutton, Mike Hylton and wife Angie Hylton; Great-nieces and nephews Jonathan Hylton, Kaleb Hylton, and Emory Hylton. She also leaves behind her beloved pets- Tigger, Momma Cat, Sidewinder, and Oreo.
A family organized memorial service will be held on Friday, April 18, 2025 at noon at Emory United Methodist Church with Reverend Lynn Wright and Lay Speaker Frank Johnson officiating. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Beverly's memory to the Covington Rescue Squad or the Alleghany Humane Society.
Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; to view Mrs. Simpson's memorial tribute page, please visit www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com
Donald Hamilton Baker of Lancaster, SC passed away on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, surrounded by his family ending a wonderful life well lived. He was 91 years old, born in Sweet Springs, WV but lived most of his life in Covington, VA. In 2019, he and his wife moved to South Carolina to be closer to their children.
Donald is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Gaylor Baker of 68 years and their children; daughter, Dana Baker of Lancaster, SC and son Michael Baker (Matt Knox) of Charlotte, NC. He is also survived by his sisters, Patricia Campbell of Union, WV and Doris Rowan (John) of Toledo, OH and a brother, Bob Baker (Janet) of Covington, VA and a host of nieces and nephews. Donald was preceded in death by his mother, Pauline Schumaker Baker and his father, Russell Hamilton Baker, and a sister, Betty A. Baker.
A graveside service will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Mountain View Cemetery in Sweet Springs, WV, with Jamie Bibee Lloyd and Linda Trumbo officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to Van Wyck Presbyterian Church, PO Box 68, Van Wyck, SC 29744 or to Via Health Partners Palmetto Region-Fort Mill, 1061 Red Ventures Drive, Suite 130, Fort Mill, SC 29707.
The family would like to thank Via Health Partners (formerly Hospice & Palliative Care Palmetto Region), especially Sam, Melissa, Nicole and Star for the care they provided the past four months, and to Senior Helpers, especially Mary and Brie for their attentive care.
Donald Hamilton Baker of Lancaster, SC passed away on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, surrounded by his family ending a wonderful life well lived. He was 91 years old, born in Sweet Springs, WV but lived most of his life in Covington, VA. In 2019, he and his wife moved to South Carolina to be closer to their children.
Donald retired from Hercules in 1996, with 32 years of service. He was an active member of First Presbyterian Church, Covington, VA, where he served as a Deacon, a member of the search committee and a member of the Berean Bible class. He was also a volunteer with Men of Mission. His hobbies included gardening and woodworking. He was an avid Baltimore Orioles and Indianapolis Colts fan. After moving to South Carolina, Donald and Mary joined Van Wyck Presbyterian Church where Donald quickly developed friendships that seemed like lifelong friends.
Donald is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Gaylor Baker of 68 years and their children; daughter, Dana Baker of Lancaster, SC and son Michael Baker (Matt Knox) of Charlotte, NC. He is also survived by his sisters, Patricia Campbell of Union, WV and Doris Rowan (John) of Toledo, OH and a brother, Bob Baker (Janet) of Covington, VA and a host of nieces and nephews. Donald was preceded in death by his mother, Pauline Schumaker Baker and his father, Russell Hamilton Baker, and a sister, Betty A. Baker.
A service to celebrate the life of Donald Baker was at 1:00 PM Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Van Wyck Presbyterian Church, 5140 Old Hickory Road, Lancaster, SC 29720. The family received friends following the memorial service.
A graveside service will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Mountain View Cemetery in Sweet Springs, WV, with Jamie Bibee Lloyd and Linda Trumbo officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to Van Wyck Presbyterian Church, PO Box 68, Van Wyck, SC 29744 or to Via Health Partners Palmetto Region-Fort Mill, 1061 Red Ventures Drive, Suite 130, Fort Mill, SC 29707.
The family would like to thank Via Health Partners (formerly Hospice & Palliative Care Palmetto Region), especially Sam, Melissa, Nicole and Star for the care they provided the past four months, and to Senior Helpers, especially Mary and Brie for their attentive care.
