Obituaries

Apr 16, 2025

Gloria Ann Lester Strickler, 86, of Fincastle, passed away Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Family was Gloria’s hobby, as well as being involved in the work of Mill Creek Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her former husband, Gene Allan Strickler; her parents, Hubert James Lester and Edna Clay Baker Lester; sisters, Jean Pendry and Frances Baird. Survivors...

Apr 14, 2025

Hugh "Leon" Brannan, 91, of Troutville, passed away Monday, April 14, 2025.

Complete obituary and service information to follow.

Apr 7, 2025

Violet Virginia Johnson Tripp, 89, passed away Monday, April 7, 2025. She was preceded in death by her husband, Norris Lynn Tripp; parents, Oris M. Johnson, Sr. and Pearl Lee Johnson; grandson, W.R. Tripp; brother, David Johnson; and sister, Ann Gill.

She was a loving mother and grandmother. Violet enjoyed sewing, word searches, baking, gardening,...

Apr 7, 2025

Anita Lou Petty Thompson of Lexington, Virginia formerly of Buchanan passed into eternity on

Monday April 7, 2025. Anita was born in the family home on February 23 rd , 1942, the third child of

Frank William and Louise Rycroft Petty. As the middle child, Anita defied convention, made her own

imprint on...

Apr 5, 2025

Brenda Ann Hearn, 60, of Buchanan, passed away Saturday, April 5, 2025. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Jessica Kennedy; mother, Janie Dudley Deacon; father, Clarence Cash; and sister, Donna Deacon.

She is survived by her children, Roxanna Carter (Danny), Brandon Hearn (Morgan); grandchildren, Julia (Austin), McKayla, EJ, and Jaelyn, Tyler, Haley, and...

Apr 1, 2025

William (Willie) Painter Simmons of Fincastle died on April 1, 2025, at the age of 69.

Willie always said his three passions in life were his son, motorcycles, and woodturning. He followed those passions through the end of his life – he made sure to FaceTime with his son (and his granddogs) weekly, take motorcycle...

Mar 30, 2025

Kathleen “Kathy” Marie Keith, 61, of Buchanan, passed away on March 30, 2025. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Louise Thompson; sisters, Arlene Price and Linda Wolf; and brother David Thompson.

Kathy retired from Lowe’s after 31 of service. She enjoyed her work and work family. If something needed to be...

Mar 18, 2025

Norma Jean Gibson Stevens, 69, of Fincastle, passed away on March 18, 2025. She was born June 28, 1955, to the late Calvin Frazier Gibson and Oma Jane Underwood Gibson. Also preceding her in death are her 3 brothers, Jarvey Qubert, Alma Cecil, Dallas Frazier Gibson; and two sisters, Patty Luceal Gibson Divers and Callie Thelma Gibson Bryant.

Mar 16, 2025

Diane “Ms.E” Lynn Ensminger, 70, a loving mother, cherished Nana, and the heart of our

family, passed away on March 16, 2025.

Diane’s greatest joy in life was her family. As a mother, she was kind, caring, and always

there with an open heart. To her grandchildren, she was the best Nana anyone...

Mar 15, 2025

Willie Roy Kimberlin, 75, passed away Saturday, March 15, 2025. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arlie Coleman and Dorothy Mae Kimberlin; brother, Arlie “Ed” Kimberlin; nephew, Josh Kimberlin; niece, Erin Kimberlin; and great-nephew, Sawyer Kimberlin.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Lori and John Kessler; son and daughter-in-law, Mike and...

Mar 4, 2025

On March 4, 2025, at the age of 92, Shirley Gertrude Mullens Carter passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home in Ashland, Va. Formerly of Buchanan, she retired from Mill Creek Child Care Center and together with her husband operated Old Stone Church Antiques. All those who knew her loving referred to her as “MeeMaw”.

She was...

Feb 21, 2025

Judie Strickland Jordan, of Buchanan was born on Christmas day in 1944. She passed away on February 21, 2025 at the age of 80. She was preceded in death by her Parents, Sallie Harlow Strickland and Richard Branson Strickland; brother and sister-in-law, Richard (Polly) Strickland; and husband, James Michael Jordan.

She is survived by her...

Feb 16, 2025

Cynthia Bradley Knick, 70, of Eagle Rock, passed away on February 16, 2025. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dennis Ellis Bradley, Sr. “JD” and Frankie Williams Bradley; brother, Dennis “Butch” Bradley, Jr.; and brother-in-law, Johnnie M. Elmore, Sr.

Cynthia had a great love for her family, enjoyed going out to eat, and...

Feb 15, 2025

James “Jim” “Butch” Richard Tolley Jr., 76, passed away peacefully on February 15, 2025, surrounded by family. He was born on January 28, 1949, and spent his life as a loving family member, loyal friend, and dedicated community member.

Jim, affectionately known as “Butch”; by those closest to him, was a dedicated son, father, and grandfather, a...

Feb 14, 2025

Helen Quarles Watts, born August 11,1923 in Indian Rock of Buchanan VA, left her Earthly home to go live in her Heavenly home on February 14, 2025.

She joined Indian Rock Baptist Church at an early age of 9, where she stayed a faithful member until her Lord and Savior called her home. She never missed a...

Feb 13, 2025

Frederick Calvin Worth, 67, of Buchanan, passed away on Thursday, February 13, 2025. Fred worked for Diversified Industries for 19 years, Firestone Paving, and James River Limestone Quarry for over 20 years running the crusher. He loved the Dallas Cowboys, tinkering with old trucks, cars, and lawnmowers. He spent many hours building a large popsicle house, complete with furniture,...

Feb 5, 2025

Diana James Bandy, 68, of Roanoke, passed away on Wednesday, February 5, 2025. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank James and Darlene Wood. Survivors include her daughter, Heather Wertz and her boyfriend, James Saunders; grandchildren, Maya Saunders and Jacob Law; sisters, Judy, Crystal, Lauren, and Debbie; and numerous nieces and nephews.

DUE TO THE...

Feb 1, 2025

Reverend Emmit H. Jones was born March 6th, 1950, in Buchanan, VA, where he grew up. He attended James River High School and finished with a GED. He served in the US Army and fought in Vietnam. After Vietnam, he was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. Shortly after his military service he married Deborah. They had one daughter, Alicia,...

Jan 29, 2025

Paul Dean Daugherty, 89, of Troutville, passed away Wednesday, January 29, 2025. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Dola Daugherty; brothers, Lowell, Truman, and JC.

He was a loving husband and father, member of Rainbow Forest Baptist Church, a Gideon, and an Army Veteran.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara...

Jan 26, 2025

Patricia Harper Campbell, 64, of Buchanan, passed away on Sunday, January 26, 2025. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Campbell; parents, Arnold and Virginia Harper; sister, Sonya Harper; and brother, Marshall Harper.

Survivors include her daughters, Michelle Nester and Latasha (Robert) Cannon; grandchildren, Audrey and Autumn Nester, Lyric Campbell, and Ethan Cannon; brothers, Jimmy...