Obituaries

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...

Feb 7, 2026

Daniel Brendle, age 80, of Galax, Virginia passed away Saturday February 7, 2026 in Galax Nursing and Rehab.

Daniel was born on July 9, 1945 in Galax, Virginia to the late Daniel and Della Rakes Brendle. He was also preceded in death by his sister Flora Diana Edwards.

He is survived by his daughter and...

Feb 7, 2026

Brenda Gaye Walls Edwards age 72 of Woodlawn, Virginia passed away Saturday, February 7, 2026 in the Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

Brenda was born in Galax, Virginia on August 13, 1953 to Harve and Rosemond Ruth Hash Walls.

She is survived by  her husband Danny Edwards of Woodlawn, Virginia; daughters and sons-in-law Bridget and Mike...

Feb 6, 2026

William Paul Warrick, Jr. age 59 of Woodlawn, Virginia, passed away Friday, February 6, 2026 at his home.

Paul was born on February 24, 1966 in Staunton, Virginia to William Paul Warrick, Sr. and Dorothy Grant Warrick. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a granddaughter Adalynn Morgan and sister Sharon Gravley.

Feb 4, 2026

Eva Watson Smythers age 93 of Galax, Virginia passed away Wednesday February 4, 2026 in the Lotus Village Center for Nursing and Rehab in Sparta, North Carolina.

Mrs. Smythers was born in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia on July 30, 1932 to Cecil and Bina Mae Suitt Watson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death...

Feb 2, 2026

Harris Eugene Shupe, age 86, of Galax, Virginia passed away Monday February 2, 2026, in Waddell Nursing and Rehab Center.

Harris was born on May 23, 1939, in Grayson County, Virginia to Clarence and Jewel Williams Shupe. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Shirley Akers Shupe, and sisters Peggy Shupe...

Feb 1, 2026

Levi Cole Roberts age 34 of Woodlawn, Virginia passed away Sunday, February 1, 2026 at his home.

Levi was born on August 21, 1991 in Galax, Virginia to Terry and Carmela Lineberry Roberts. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather B.L. Lineberry and paternal grandparents Thurman and Mallie Roberts.

He is survived by...

Jan 31, 2026

Imogene Higgins Frye passed away peacefully on January 31 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where she had moved three years ago to be near her daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. "Mamagene," as her grandchildren called her, was 101 years old, and just two months shy of her 102nd birthday.

She was a native of Galax, Virginia, and lived most...