Holly Ashley Crupper, 43, was a beloved mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, friend, and so much more. Tragically taken far too soon in a fatal crash, Holly’s life came to an unexpected end, leaving behind a family and countless loved ones who will forever carry her memory in their hearts.
Holly was a woman with a heart of gold, someone who could light up a room and make the people around her feel loved. She was the kind of person who loved fiercely, cared deeply, and gave so much of herself to others. Her love was not limited to her family; she opened her heart to so many people throughout her life. She was not only a mother to her own children but a second mother to many of her children’s friends. She was someone people could turn to, someone who would answer the phone, offer comfort, and make sure the people she loved knew they were never alone. Holly loved until her very last breath, and that love will never be forgotten.
Above all else, Holly was a mother. She leaves behind her four beloved children, Karmen Abney, Hailey Nisewaner, Steven Leigh, and Robby Leigh, who will forever hold a piece of her in their hearts. She was also a proud grandmother to her precious grandson, Braxton Hallet, who held a special place in her heart.
For Karmen, one of the most unforgettable moments of her life was the day she made Holly a grandmother. Although Holly may have initially been in disbelief and a little upset, Braxton quickly became her little man, a love she carried with her until her last breath. That memory will forever be treasured as a reminder of the special bond they shared and the beautiful love that connected three generations.
The loss of a mother means losing so much more than a parent. It means losing the voice you could call whenever you needed someone, the hugs that made things feel better, and the person you believed would always be there to answer. For those who loved Holly, there will now be an emptiness where her laughter, her voice, her embraces, and her presence once were. There will be moments when the instinct to call her remains, when a memory brings tears, and when the world feels a little less bright without her in it.
Holly was a daughter to Becky Crupper and Joseph Crupper, a sister to Sherie Crupper and Kelly Crupper, and a cherished member of a family that loved her dearly. She also leaves behind countless extended family members, friends, and loved ones whose lives she touched in ways that words could never fully express.
Though Holly’s life was taken far too soon, the love she gave will continue to live on through her children, her grandson, her family, her friends, and every person who was blessed to know her. Her life was a reminder that love is not measured by how long someone stays with us, but by how deeply they touch our hearts while they are here.
There are no words that can make losing Holly easier, and no obituary could ever fully capture the woman she was or the impact she made. She was the greatest woman in the world to those who loved her most, and her absence will be felt for a lifetime. The world may have lost a beautiful soul, but the memories, lessons, laughter, and love she left behind will remain forever.
Until we meet again, Mom. I will miss your hugs, your voice, our conversations, and knowing I could call you anytime and hear you answer. I wish we had more time. I wish you could have stayed longer. You were taken far too soon, and there will never be enough words to explain how much you meant to me. Thank you for being my mother, for loving me, for loving my little man, and for being a mother to so many others who needed you. I will carry you with me in everything I do, and I will make sure your grandson knows how deeply his grandmother loved him. You loved until your last breath, and I will love you for the rest of mine.
Forever loved. Forever missed. Never forgotten.
Funeral and memorial service arrangements will be announced at a later date.
Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; to view Holly's memorial tribute page, please visit www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com
Scotty Lee “Scott” Melvin, 75, of Covington, passed away Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. He was the husband of the late Janet Carter Melvin.
Scott was born March 23, 1951, in West Virginia, the son of the late Ernest L. Melvin and E. Nancy Lewis. Following high school, he served his country in the United States Army. He later worked for many years as Sales Manager for Dodson Pest Control’s Covington, Virginia, office before retiring. Once his sons were older, he also started and operated Scott’s Lawn Care, later passing the business on to his youngest son, Brian. Scott’s faith was rooted in the Pentecostal Holiness tradition.
Scott enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, gardening alongside Janet, and hunting with his sons. He loved old cars and enjoyed restoring Camaros, Chevy trucks, and a Chevelle. He also spent many years cheering on the San Francisco 49ers.
Scott is survived by his two sons, Randy L. Melvin and wife, Amy, of Eagle Rock, and Brian S. Melvin of Covington; three grandchildren, Katie-Lee Davis and husband, Nicholas, Evelyn B. Melvin, and Nathaniel S. Melvin; three great-grandchildren, Silas Davis, Oliver Davis, and Suzanne Davis; a brother, Carl Melvin and wife, Catherine, of Roanoke; a sister-in-law, Shelby Melvin; and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife and parents, Scott was preceded in death by his siblings, Johnny, Jerry, and Sandy Melvin.
A private service will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home. To view Scott’s memorial tribute page, please visit www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.
Ms. Juanita (Nita) Rebecca Gibson, age 67, of Covington, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
Nita was born February 4, 1959 in White Sulphur Springs, WV, the daughter of the late Richard Daniel Gibson, Jr. and Lyndall Grace Bostic Gibson. She was a graduate of Covington High School, Class of 1977. Nita was employed as an operator in the Stocks and Additives Dept by Smurfit Westrock, retiring after forty-four years of service. She enjoyed watching football and loved cheering for her beloved New England Patriots and University of Virginia Cavaliers.
Nita is survived by her two beloved cats, Brady and Max; her brother, Richard Daniel Gibson, III and wife, Emma of Covington; a sister, Barbara Ann Gibson Preast and husband, J.D. of Fayetteville, WV; faithful friend and caregiver, Toni Rhodenizer; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Nita was preceded in death by her sister, Deborah Lynne Gibson Simmons and her beloved dog, Agassi.
A funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, October 14, 2026, from the chapel of Loving Funeral Home with Rev. Bill Gilliland officiating, assisted by Rev. Dean Bowser. Entombment will follow in Alleghany Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Adam Twitty, Aaron Twitty, Darius Liptrap, Stephen Ogden, Liam Levander, Brad Haas and Chris Ruby. Honorary pallbearers will be Jason Hill.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday morning from 11:00 A.M. until time of service at Loving Funeral Home.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers 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 Nita's memorial tribute page, please visit www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com
Mr. Alfred Hershel Thomas Andrews, age 91, of Covington, died Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at his residence. He was the husband of the late Anna Elizabeth (Beth) Watson Andrews.
Mr. Andrews was born October 29, 1934 in Alleghany County, the son of the late Thomas Massie Andrews and Hattie Peters Andrews. A lifetime resident of this community, he was a graduate of Covington High School, Class of 1952. Following graduation, Mr. Andrews worked at M.H. Fishman's for two years. Then Hershel went to work as a laborer on #8 Paper Machine by Westrock where he worked for forty-one years before his retirement. He was a longtime and faithful member of Mt. Carmel Methodist Church.
Mr. Andrews is survived by a son, Butch Andrews and wife, Cricket of Covington; two grandchildren, Shannon Andrews Holloway and husband, Chris of Covington and Patrick Hershel Andrews of Covington; three great grandchildren, Christen Elizabeth Holloway, Maleah Kaylynn Holloway and Brett Hershel Andrews; a brother, Larry Andrews of Covington; two sisters-in-law, Carol Baker Andrews of Covington and Sandra Mays Watson of Covington; and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to his parents and wife, Mr. Andrews was preceded in death by a daughter, Barbara Allyson Andrews in 2013; a sister, Nellie Andrews Buchanan and husband, David; and a brother, Mitchell Andrews.
A funeral service will be conducted at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, October 13, 2026, from the chapel of Loving Funeral Home with Rev. Doug Hollenbeck officiating. Interment will follow in Alleghany Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Jim Downer, Roger Amos, Gene Lee, W.L. Dressler, Neil Dressler and Jack Keyser. Alternate pallbearers will be Frankie Tucker and Gary Via.
Honorary pallbearer will be Paul Dressler, Charlie Livesay and Bill Orndorff.
The family will receive friends on Monday evening from 6:00 P.M. until 7:30 P.M. at Loving Funeral Home.
Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; to view Hershel's memorial tribute page, please visit www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.
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.
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
