Obituaries

Mar 11, 2026

Mary Lou Taylor Miller age 84 of Fries, Virginia passed away Wednesday, March 11, 2026 in the Twin County Regional Hospital.

Mrs. Miller was born in Ashe County, North Carolina on August 5, 1941 to Roscoe Aleck and Elizabeth Clyde Miller Taylor. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Darrell Miller;...

Mar 10, 2026

Theresa Ann Sexton Mawyer age 69 of Galax, Virginia passed away Tuesday, March 10, 2026 in the Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

Theresa was born in Portsmouth, Virginia  on July 21, 1956 to Charles Vivian Sexton, Jr.  and Helena Ruth Lineberry Sexton. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother Christopher Mark Sexton....

Mar 4, 2026

William Kermit Porter, better known as Kermit Porter  age 92 of Galax, Virginia passed away Wednesday, March 4, 2026  in the Waddell Nursing and Rehab Center.

Mr. Porter was born in Fries, Virginia on March 4, 1934 to Robert Alex and Ary Bonham Porter. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers...

Mar 3, 2026

Hoke William Curtis Sawyers son of Devan Blake and Maggie Mae Brewer Sawyers of Galax, Virginia passed away on Tuesday March 3, 2026 in Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital.

He was preceded in death by his sister Jaycee Mae Sawyers and grandfather Curtis (Buck) Crigger.

In addition to his parents, Hoke is survived by his maternal...

Mar 1, 2026

In Loving Memory of

Peggy Jean Sprinkle

Peggy Jean Sprinkle, age 94, passed away on Sunday, March 1, 2026, Wagram, North Carolina. She was born in Lee County, Virginia, but moved to Galax, VA as a child. She spent her adult life as a OR nurse in the local hospital. She...

Mar 1, 2026

Tony Truitt, 64, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, March 1, 2026. Throughout his life, Tony was deeply committed to his family, his community, and his faith.

For 40 years, Tony was the loving and devoted husband of Sonia Truitt, his partner and greatest companion. He was a proud father...

Feb 28, 2026

Tiffany Gail Campbell Goodman age 29 of Galax, Virginia passed away Saturday, February 28, 2026 at her home.

Tiffany was born on January 25, 1997 in North Carolina.

She is survived by her husband Van Thomas Goodman of Galax, Virginia; mother and fiancé Teresa Campbell and Duane Dawson of Fries, Virginia; sisters and brothers-in-law La...

Feb 26, 2026

Barry Lynn Lyons, 82, of Galax, transitioned peacefully into the arms of his heavenly family on Thursday evening, February 26, at Waddell Nursing Home, where he was receiving hospice care.

Born October 4, 1943, in Fries, Barry was the son of the Rev. Ben and Mary Lyons. He grew up in Fries and graduated from Fries High...

Feb 25, 2026

Audrey Celene Patton Shumate age 81 of Galax, Virginia passed away Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at her home.

Mrs. Shumate was born on July 29, 1944 in Grayson County, Virginia to James Bolen and Blanche Lavinia Jennings Patton. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Glen Roy Shumate; sisters Virginia Andrews...

Feb 23, 2026

Dennis Ray Dixon age 72 of Galax, Virginia passed away Monday, February 23, 2026 at his home.

Dennis was born in Galax, Virginia on June 20, 1953 to Edgar Wayne and Opal Georgine Leonard Dixon. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers Dean Dixon and Charles Dixon.

He is...

Feb 23, 2026

Desiree Jordan Oakley age 34 of Wytheville, Virginia passed away Monday in the Lewis Gale Medical Center in Salem, Virginia.

Desiree was born in Galax, Virginia on March 7, 1991 to Timmy and Arrisha Chaffman Oakley.

In addition to her father Timmy Oakley of Wytheville, Virginia, Desiree is survived by her fiancé James Taylor; children...

Feb 22, 2026

Lyall Dean Schroeder age 82 of Woodlawn, Virginia passed away Sunday, February 22, 2026 at his home.

Mr. Schroeder was born on March 3, 1943 in Chaseburg, Wisconsin to Harold and Lorene Schlicht Schroeder. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers Elden Schroeder and Arlen Schroeder.

Mr. Schroeder was...

Feb 20, 2026

Philip Edward Jeffries age 73 of Galax, Virginia and formerly of Jacksonville, North Carolina passed away Friday, February 20, 2026 in the Waddell Nursing and Rehab Center.

Philip was born on April 16, 1952 in West Virginia to William and Norma Meadows Jeffries. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers Ronald...

Feb 18, 2026

Harold Dick Cross, age 95, of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, passed away on February 18, 2026, in Commonwealth Senior Living Facility in Hillsville, Virginia.

Harold was born on April 2, 1930 in Wellington, Kansas, to Thomas and Juanita Nelson Cross. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Alice Reed Cross;...

Feb 12, 2026

Carmen Susette Sumner, 56, of Lincolnton, North Carolina, formerly of Galax, Virginia, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Feb 12, 2026. Born on February 17, 1969, Carmen spent her early life in Galax before moving to Lincolnton, where she lived for the past 19 years.

After graduating college, Carmen dedicated her career to serving others...

Feb 12, 2026

Douglas Eugene Layne age74 of Woodlawn, Virginia passed away Thursday, February 12, 2026 at his home.

Douglas was born in Danville, Virginia on January 14, 1952 to Andrew Jackson Layne, Jr. and Mildred Louise Funk Layne.

He is survived by his wife Cynthia Hill Layne; son Matthew Layne; stepsons Dale Patton (Stacey); Corey Patton (Elizabeth)...

Feb 12, 2026

Shirley Mae Melton age 83 of Woodlawn, Virginia, passed away Thursday, February 12, 2026 in the Twin County Regional Hospital.

Mrs. Melton was born September 21, 1942 in West Virginia to Cloive and Callie Simpkins Lester. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother William Lester.

She is survived by...

Feb 10, 2026

Joi Darlene Whitmore age 64 of Max Meadows, Virginia passed away Tuesday, February 10, 2026 in the Lewis Gale Hospital-Pulaski.

Joi was born in Maryland on March 22, 1961 to Theodore Hardesty and Verdel Willie Pearl Handley Luster.

In addition to her father, Theodore(Ted)  Luster she is survived by her husband Harlan Whitmore of Max,...

Feb 9, 2026

James "JimE" Ellington passed away peacefully in his cabin on Monday, February 9, 2026. Known locally as the "California Hippy" or "Cat Daddy," Jim was a colorful and unforgettable character. Born and raised in Northern California, he moved to Galax in 2016 after surviving significant health challenges, determined to start fresh and live life on his own terms.

Feb 9, 2026

Rosie Lee Caudill Mickey age 85 of Galax, Virginia passed away Monday, February 9, 2026 in the Waddell Nursing and Rehab Center.

Mrs. Mickey was born in Sparta, North Carolina on March 28, 1940 to Walter and Icie Billings Caudill. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Jimmy Gray Mickey and...