Obituaries

Sep 26, 2025

Born the baby of the family to Laura Arizona and Robinson McKinley Farmer, Barbara Faye grew up in Galax, Virginia, right across from the schoolhouse where she could run home for lunch every day. She loved to tell stories of her mama milking the cows, her daddy patching his tire every night like it was just part of the...

Sep 24, 2025

Willie Jackson Wilson, age 85, of Elk Creek, Virginia, passed away on September 24, 2025. Born on February 27, 1940, Willie was the beloved son of the late John William Wilson and Vera Virginia Porter Wilson. Willie proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1959 – 1962 achieving the rank of Sergeant E5. As a specialist gunner in the...

Sep 23, 2025

Norma Virginia Richardson Cochran age 94 of Ocala, Florida and formerly of Independence, Virginia passed away Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at the E.W. and Lucille Cates House in Ocala, Florida.

Mrs. Cochran was born on January 13, 1931 in Ashe County, North Carolina to Robert E. and Cora Elliott Richardson. In addition to her parents, she was...

Sep 22, 2025

Barbara Ann Kenny—beloved wife, mother, Nanaw, and friend—slipped peacefully into heaven on September 22, at the age of 79. Though our hearts ache at the thought of life without her, we choose to celebrate a woman whose days were overflowing with love, laughter, and a generosity that never seemed to run out.

Born in Galax on September...

Sep 21, 2025

W. Craig Cruise age 74 of Woodlawn, Virginia passed away Monday, September 22, 2025 in the Twin County Regional Hospital.

Craig was born October the 4th, 1950, in Galax, VA. to Edna Thompson Custer and Willard Cruise both of Galax, VA.

He was a dedicated supervisor at Hanes in Galax for over 33 years, when...

Sep 19, 2025

Brandee Dawn Porter age 40 of Galax, Virginia passed away Friday, September 19, 2025 at her home.

Brandee was born in Wilmington, North Carolina on February 14, 1985 to John David Porter, Jr. and Evelyn Lawson Porter Hancock.

She was preceded in death by her sister Melonie Porter; grandparents John D. Porter, Sr, and Pat...

Sep 16, 2025

Jennifer  Melton Anderson age 42 of Galax, Virginia passed away Tuesday, September 16, 2025  at her home.

Jennifer was born in Galax, Virginia on April 13, 1983 to Billy Ray and Susan Lynn Alley Melton, Sr. In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by a brother Bobby Melton.

She is survived by...

Sep 14, 2025

Gary Lyn Sumner, age 72, of Fries, Virginia passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, September 14, 2025.

Born on October 25, 1952 in Fries, Virginia to Duane and Wanda Sumner, Gary spent his life deeply connected to the community that he loved. He graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Arts in Education in...

Sep 12, 2025

Deanna Mechelle Simone, 52, of Woodlawn, Virginia, went home to be with the Lord on September 12, 2025, at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Born in Mount Airy, NC Mechelle lived a life marked by love, compassion, and faith.

She was preceded in death by her father, Jerry Simone, and is survived by her fiancé, Stacy Smith; her beloved...

Sep 9, 2025

Joseph Scott Chaffman age 48 of Galax, Virginia passed away Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at his home.

Joseph was born on February 27, 1977 in Galax, Virginia to Forrest Duane and Carol Jean Anders Chaffman. He was preceded in death by his father.

He is survived by his daughter Jordyn Chaffman; mother and step-father Carol...

Sep 9, 2025

Hershel Melvin Bilbrey, Jr. age 77 of Galax, Virginia passed way Tuesday, September 9, 2025 in the North Carolina Baptist Hospital.

Melvin was born in Fries, Virginia on April 12, 1948 to Hershel Melvin and Joy Celesta Sumner Bilbrey, Sr.. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother Alvin Bilbrey.

...

Sep 7, 2025

Barry Allan Newman age 54 of Galax, Virginia passed away Sunday, September 7, 2025 in the Woltz Hospice Home.

Barry was born on August 3, 1971 in Galax, Virginia to Everett Elwood Newman, Jr. and Ada Jean Choate Newman.

He is survived by his wife Tonia Newman of Galax, Virginia; children and spouses Whitney and...

Sep 6, 2025

Marie L. Newman age 102 of Galax, Virginia passed away Saturday, September 6, 2025 at her home.

Mrs. Newman was born on May 31, 1923 in Carroll County, Virginia to Henry and Ella Mae  Linville. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Kemper Hodge; son James Hodge; daughter and son-in-law Shirley...

Sep 4, 2025

Linda Gail Haynes age 76 of Galax, Virginia passed away Thursday, September 4, 2025 in the Forsyth Medical Center.

Linda was born in Grayson County, Virginia on November 26, 1948 to Gladon and Mildred Hackler Phipps. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Jack Haynes and  brothers Billy Phipps and Michael...

Sep 4, 2025

Linda Kay Caird age 68 of Hillsville, Virginia passed away Thursday September 4, 2025 at her home.

Linda was born in Michigan on November 26, 1956 to Joe and Euta Colliver Clay. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings Jody Clay; Lou Adkins; Kathy Clay; Gene Clay; George Clay and Billy...

Sep 3, 2025

Ileta Ruth Smythers known as Ruth Smythers age 92 of Galax, Virginia passed away Wednesday, September 3, 2025 in the Grayson Nursing and Rehab Center.

Ms. Smythers was born on November 20, 1932 in Galax, Virginia to Walter Painter and Cora Augusta Jones Smythers.

She is survived by her son Butch Sexton of Galax, Virginia;...

Aug 30, 2025

Sue Ella Lineberry, age 85, of Dublin, Virginia formerly of Galax, Virginia  passed away Saturday August 30, 2025 in her residence.

Sue was born on July 10, 1940 in Cripple Creek, Virginia to the late Burlie and Nannie Keith Davis. She was also preceded in death by her husband Joe Neal Lineberry.

She is survived...

Aug 30, 2025

Bonnie Lucille Redd Bowers, age 65, of Galax, Virginia passed away Saturday August 30, 2025 in her residence.

Bonnie was born on December 14, 1959 in Galax, Virginia to the late James William and Frances Savage Redd. She was also preceded in death by her infant son Jeremy Andrue Bowers and brother James Randy.

She...

Aug 30, 2025

On Saturday, August 30th after 72 years, the man upstairs called for Kathleen Kerntke She leaves behind her husband of nearly 25 years Richard Allen Kerntke of VA, daughter Yvonne Westfall of NH, step-children Andria Richmond of MD, Michelle Christy of FL, Amanda Free of AL, Christopher Kerntke of NC, 10 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren as well as her...

Aug 29, 2025

Arlie Austin White age 83 of Elk Creek, Virginia passed away Friday, August 29, 2025.

Mrs. White was born in Virginia on March 6, 1942 to Hurley Haswell and Clarice Marie Lovill Austin. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Melvin Verlon White and a son James E. White.

...