David Lee Akers
Jul 9, 2026
David Lee Akers, age 66, of Wytheville, VA (the Piney community) passed away Thursday, July 9, 2026. He was born September 21, 1959 in Delaware, son of the late Elwood and Mazie Sumner Akers. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Jerry Akers and Joe Akers.
Survivors include his wife, Lynn Arnold Akers of the home; sister-in-law,...
Douglas M Stapleton
Jul 7, 2026
Douglas M. Stapleton, age 82, of Rural Retreat, VA passed away July 7, 2026. He was born in Tennessee on August 2, 1944 to the late Sam Stapleton and Nora Alice Lowe Stapleton. He was preceded in death by his wife Lessie Anderson Stapleton, step-children Larry Blevins, Jack Blevins, and Sherry Jump.
He is survived by step-children Curtis Blevins, Allen Blevins...
Robert Preston Garwood
Jul 2026
Robert “Bobby” Preston Garwood, age 81, of Draper, VA passed away Friday, July 3, 2026. He was born February 15, 1945 in Wilmington, Delaware, son of the late Omar Elkin Garwood and Ernestine Rice Garwood. Preceded in death was his parents; his wife, Nancy Viars Garwood; a sister, Dorothy Covey and two brothers, Wayne Garwood and David Garwood.
Bobby was a...
Raymond Charles Nelson
Jun 29, 2026
Raymond Charles Nelson, age 73, of Max Meadows, VA passed away Monday, June 29, 2026. He was born December 14, 1952 in Wythe County, son of the late William O. Nelson and Doris Jean Moody Nelson.
Raymond was a devoted husband and a loving father, a proud G-Pa, caring uncle, brother-in-law, and a friend to many. But he was so much...
Doris Ann Brown
Jun 27, 2026
Doris Ann Jackson Brown, age 80, of Galax, VA passed away Saturday, June 27, 2026. She was born June 4, 1946 in Wythe County, daughter of the late Eldridge and Frances McMillian Jackson.
Survivors include her husband, Herbert Brown; children, Herbert, Jr. and Barbara Brown, Sarah Smith, Ella Mae and Billy Guthrie, McKenzie Brown and Aaron Young, Herman and Tammy Osborne;...
Guy Frederick Boone
Jun 25, 2026
Guy F. Boone passed away peacefully in his home on Thursday, June 25 with his loving wife, two daughters and several other family members by his side.
Guy was a devoted husband, father, papa, brother, and friend. For 53 wonderful years, he shared a beautiful marriage with the love of his life, Jamie. Together, they built a life rooted in unwavering...
Ira Randolph "Randy Jr." Winesett Jr
Jun 24, 2026
Ira Randolph "Randy Jr." Winesett Jr., age 71, of Bland, Virginia, passed away on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Bristol, Tennessee. Born on October 10, 1954, in Arkansas City, Kansas, Randy Jr. was a man whose life was marked by deep-rooted values, unwavering kindness, and a generous spirit that enriched the lives of everyone fortunate enough to know him.
Randy Jr....
Peggy Ann Reed
Jun 23, 2026
Peggy Ann Reed, age 70, of Wytheville, Virginia, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
Born on August 1, 1955, Peggy was the daughter of the late Robert Preston Gravley and Zella Irene Gravley.
Peggy's faith in Jesus Christ was the foundation of her life. Psalm 91:1 was her favorite scripture and brought her comfort, strength,...
Carol Benyi Williams
Jun 20, 2026
With profound sadness and deep love, we announce the passing of Carol Benyi Williams, who left us on June 20, 2026, in Rural Retreat. Carol’s journey through life was defined by an extraordinary capacity for kindness, resilience, and an unwavering devotion to those she loved.
Born on March 5, 1948, in Pennsylvania, Carol was the cherished daughter of Arthur and Helen...
Luther Woods Jr
Jun 19, 2026
Luther Woods Jr, a respected resident of Austinville, Virginia, passed away on June 19, 2026, at the age of 72. Born on April 1, 1954, in Grayson County, Virginia, Luther’s life was distinguished by a steadfast commitment to those he loved and the communities to which he belonged.
Throughout his years, Luther was known for his enduring dedication to his family,...
Oscar "Sonny" Ayers
Jun 18, 2026
Oscar Roscoe “Sonny” Ayers, age 91, of Draper, VA passed away Thursday, June 18, 2026. He was born March 4, 1935 in Wythe County, son of the late Robert Lee and Gethel Moles Ayers. Sonny was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Frazier Ayers. He was the former pastor at Jackson Chapel in Wytheville where he served for many...
Charles Robert Campbell
Jun 16, 2026
Charles Campbell, age 54 of Wytheville, Virginia, passed away on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Born on September 25, 1971, in Marion, Virginia, he was the beloved son of Esther Mae Crockett Campbell and the late Randolph Noah Campbell Jr.
Charles was a remarkably hard worker who threw his entire heart and soul into every project he tackled. Known for being exceptionally...
Darlene B. Smith
Jun 16, 2026
Darlene B. Smith age 78 of Rural Retreat, VA passed away Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at her home. She was born in Smyth Co., VA on June 11, 1948 the daughter of the late Frank William Blessing and Nina Gray Sage Blessing. Darlene was a member of the New Bethel Community Church and was preceded in death by a son,...
Shelby Billings Sage
Jun 12, 2026
Shelby Jean Billings Sage, age 89, of Wytheville, VA passed away Friday, June 12, 2026. She was born May 3, 1937 in Squire, West Virginia. She was the daughter of the late Earl and Alma Atwood Billings and was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Louis “Nub” Sage.
Survivors include her daughter, Alicia Sage-Huff and Mike Huff; her son, Robert...
Larry Eugene Mckinney
Jun 11, 2026
Larry Eugene McKinney, 72, of Coal City, West Virginia, entered into eternal rest on Thursday, June 11, 2026, following a brief illness.
Born June 13, 1953, in Beckley, West Virginia, he was the son of the late James C. and Susie Etta Polk Jones. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A man of unwavering faith and exemplary work ethic, Mr....
Martha Riggins Daugherty
Jun 10, 2026
Martha Louise Riggins Daugherty, age 76, of Rural Retreat, VA passed away Wednesday, June 10, 2026. She was born July 13, 1949 in Wythe County, daughter of the late Henry and Frances Burcham Riggins. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Steve Daugherty, 3 brothers, infant Robert Riggins, Edd Riggins and Larry Riggins, Sr., and grandson, Brandon.
Survivors...
Carrie Millirons Pauley
Jun 9, 2026
Carrie Etta Millirons Pauley, age 87, of Bland, VA passed away Tuesday, June 9, 2026. She was born June 17, 1938 in Giles County, VA, daughter of the late Shular and Nina Jane Shrader Millirons. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Harmon Wagner Pauley, Jr.; 2 brothers, J.W. Millirons and Shular Millirons; 2 sisters, Shelby Copeland...
Herman Elward Bishop
Jun 7, 2026
Herman Elward Bishop, age 59, of Max Meadows, VA passed away Sunday, June 7, 2026. He was born October 20, 1966 in Pulaski County, VA, the son of the late Clyde Edward and Agnes Thomas Bishop. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Deloris Alley.
Survivors include his sister, Loretta Wimmer and husband Chris of Max Meadows;...
Ronald Wayne Penton
Jun 6, 2026
Ronald W. Penton (Ron) 75 of Rural Retreat, Va., on June 6th, 2026 slipped into eternity, to be forever with the Lord…
Ron and wife Barbara are natives of the Pensacola, Fla Area and raised their two girls enjoying typical Gulf Coast beach life.
Much later both came to love the Appalachian Mountains of Southwest Virginia. So, in retirement they relocated to...
Jackie Brooks Weaver
Jun 5, 2026
Jackie “Jack” Brooks Weaver, a prominent business man, lifelong learner, and beloved resident of Rural Retreat, Virginia passed away on June 5, 2026, at the age of 89.
Jack was born on the Weaver farm in Rural Retreat on December 11, 1936 to the late John Frank Weaver and Eva Mae Brooks Weaver. He grew up in the community he loved,...