Mr. William Howard McCarter, age 79, of Covington, died Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at his residence. He was the husband of Sharon McCormick McCarter.
Mr. McCarter was born January 24, 1947 in Charlotte, NC, the son of the late William Jackson McCarter and Jeanette Mickle McCarter. After living in Rock Hill, SC for a number of years, he moved to this area in 1994. He had been employed as a pipe welder for numerous companies for forty-seven years before his retirement. William was a member of Mt. Carmel Methodist Church.
In addition to his wife, Mr. McCarter is survived by two daughters, Dana McCarter Sigmon of Maiden, NC and Shannon McCarter Caldwell of Sherrills Ford, NC; a son, Troy Scott McCarter of Rock Hill, Sc; step-son, Jason Crawford; seven grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; a sister, Sarah McCarter Gladden of York, SC; and a number of special nieces and nephews; and beloved companion, Gracie.
A funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 P.M. Monday, June 29, 2026, from the chapel of Loving Funeral Home with Rev. Doug Hollenbeck officiating, assisted by Rev. Bill Gilliland. Interment will follow in Alleghany Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends on Sunday evening from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at Loving Funeral Home.
Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; to view Mr. McCarter's memorial tribute page, please visit www.loving funeral home1913.com
Mrs. Bonnie Thompson Plott, age 91, of Covington, died Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at her residence. She was the wife of the late Bobby Lee Plott, Sr.
Mrs. Plott was born September 20, 1934 in Covington, the daughter of the late Mark Thompson and Florence Gregory Thompson. She was a homemaker who enjoyed taking care of her family. Bonnie was of the Presbyterian faith.
Mrs. Plott is survived by her children, Bobby Lee Plott, Jr. and wife, Jeri Ann of Clifton Forge, Shane Plott and Laura Combs of Covington, Beverly P. Bishop and husband, Gary of Covington, Kellie P. Woods and husband, David of Staunton and Jodie P. Smith and husband, Warren of Lynchburg; thirteen grandchildren, Stacey, Kaleigh, Jeremy, Kelsey, Ethan, Aaron, Hannah, Noah, Baleigh, Tymberlee, Christian, Cole and Brandi; fifteen great grandchildren, Ashtyn, Evan, Ryan, Jordon, Seth, Killian, Hadlee, Luka, Sage, Gunner, Kendall, Mason, Haven, Kinsey and Kolten; a brother, Mark Terry Thompson, Sr.; a sister, Donna Finley of Greensboro, NC; and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Plott was preceded in death by a brother, Ellis Thompson.
A graveside service will be conducted at 1:00 P.M. Monday, June 22, 2026, at Cedar Hill Cemetery with Rev. Jim Moss officiating.
Those wishing to attend the service should assemble at Cedar Hill Cemetery by 12:30 P.M.
Pallbearers will be Stacey Bishop, Aaron Lacks, Ethan Plott, Cole Plott, Noah Lacks and Christian Hughes.
The family suggests that memorial tributes take the form of contributions to ACG Hospice, 427 Lee Jackson HWY A3, Staunton, VA 24401
Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; to view Bonnie's memorial tribute page, please visit www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com
Mrs. Elizabeth "Betty" Harrison Arthur, age 81, of Low Moor, died Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at her residence. She was the wife of Larry Gayle Arthur to whom she was married to for forty-nine years.
Mrs. Arthur was born January 15, 1945 in Alleghany County, the daughter of the late John H. Harrison and Elsie Evans Harrison. She had been employed as a concierge at a resort hotel in Ocean City, MD for a number of years before her retirement. Mrs. Arthur is a member of Living Stones Ministry. Betty enjoyed being around people and loved spending time with her family especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Arthur is survived by three sons, Timothy B. Cottrell of Clifton Forge, Troy M. Cottrell of Low Moor and Larry G. Arthur, Jr. of Lakeland, FL; a daughter, Bridget D. Mixon of Lakeland, FL; fourteen grandchildren; and 8 great grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Arthur was preceded in death by a daughter, Pamela D. Melton.
There will be no memorial service.
Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; to view Betty's memorial tribute page, please visit www.lovingfuneralhome1013.com.
Father Thomas Richard (Tom) Collins, age 79, of Hot Springs, died Monday, June 8, 2026 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Roanoke. The cause of death was complications from a stroke.
Father Collins was born September 20, 1946 in Queens, NY, the son of the late William O. Collins and Edith E. (Koptick) Collins. Following his seminary training, he was ordained in Richmond, Virginia on May 13, 1972. He served as a parish priest and pastor in the Diocese of Richmond for more than 50 years, even continuing his ministry into retirement. He served in numerous, predominantly rural, parishes in the diocese, including Norton, Richlands, Lovington, Keyser (WV), Covington, Clifton Forge and Hot Springs; his urban assignments were in Richmond, Norfolk and Weirton, WV.
Over the years, “Father Tom” was active in the Cursillo movement, the Carmelite community and pro-life ministries, serving as a spiritual director and advisor. He was, for many years, the Spiritual Director of the Richmond Curia of the Legion of Mary. At the time of his death, he was the retired Priest in Residence at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Hot Springs, providing ministerial support to parishes in Covington, Clifton Forge, Staunton and Waynesboro and also served as Treasurer for the Covington Ministerial Association.
A priestly scholar, Father Tom was well read on issues of liturgy and canon law, and authored a number of clarifying essays on Church doctrine.
Serving in some economically depressed areas, he not only contributed generously to local church missions but also extended personal financial aid, within his means, to many individuals in the communities he served. He earned the love and gratitude of innumerable parishioners through his caring concern and good nature. Always ready to inject levity into a conversation, he had a veritable litany of jokes and comic anecdotes at the ready. (At times his humor might evoke a groan, but who should be surprised to hear a “Dad Joke” from a priest?)
Father Collins is survived by three brothers, Gerard M. Collins of Annandale, VA, Christopher P. Collins of Radford, and Kevin P. Collins of Midlothian, as well as niece and nephews Maximilian Collins, Miranda Collins, Blaise Collins and Ronan Collins.
In addition to his parents, Father Collins was preceded in death by two brothers, William O. Collins, Jr. and Father Joseph F. Collins.
A Christian Wake will be conducted Sunday evening, June 14, 2026 from 6 – 8 P.M. in the chapel of Loving Funeral Home in Covington.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. Monday, June 15, 2026 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Covington with the Most Reverend Barry C. Knestout, Bishop of the Richmond Diocese, officiating. Interment will then take place at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Low Moor, followed by a bereavement luncheon in the Sacred Heart Parish Hall.
Pallbearers will be Kevin Collins, Mark Wilson, Carl Withrow, Jimmy Garcia, Herb Godschalk and Gerry Collins.
Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; to view Father Collins’ 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
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
