Obituaries
Willard R. Douglas
Jan 25, 2026
Willard Rogers Douglas, 94, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 25, 2026. He leaves behind a legacy of faith, family, hard work, and quiet faithfulness that spans generations and points heavenward.
Willard was born on February 11, 1931, in Peoria Heights, Illinois, to Willard Wayne Douglas and Opal E. (Sanders) Douglas. He grew up in Peoria, Illinois, where he attended Woodruff...
David L. Bryant
Feb 25, 2026
David Lee Bryant, 53, of Montebello, passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, surrounded by family and friends.
He was born on December 3, 1972, in Waynesboro to the late Gorman Lee.
David was previously employed for several years with Brown & Root and Fairfield Bridge. Later in life, David took on the role of overseer of the family farm in Montebello....
Anna "Kathleen" L. Davis
Feb 25, 2026
Anna Kathleen Landram Davis, 91, passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at her residence in Verona.
She was born on March 27, 1934, in Augusta County to the late Ashby Landes and Lena Virginia Johnson Landram.
Kathleen retired after many years of dedicated service with American Safety Razor in Verona. On July 20, 1970, she married the love of her life,...
Robert W. Brandt
Feb 22, 2026
Robert Wesley Brandt, of Staunton, VA, passed peacefully on Sunday afternoon, February 22, 2026, following a brief illness, surrounded by his wife of fifty-five years, Gloria Mayhew Brandt, and family. Known simply as Wes by all, he was 84.
Wes grew up roaming the back roads of Augusta County and commenced his book learnin’ at the Middlebrook Schools, before finishing his...
Leo A. Bares
Feb 18, 2026
Leo "Lee" Allan Bares, 86, of Staunton, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at the Augusta Health Hospice of the Shenandoah House in Fishersville. He was the devoted husband of Sharon Knopp Bares for fifty-three years.
Lee was born in Beach, North Dakota, on November 7, 1939, to the late Norbert Henry and Laura Francis Moyer Bares, one of...
James B. Desper
Feb 18, 2026
James Boyd Desper, 72, of Staunton, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at the Augusta Health Hospice of the Shenandoah House in Fishersville, VA.
He was born on January 30, 1954, in Staunton, VA to the late Robert Madison Desper and Phyllis May Jones Mitchell.
He worked for many years for Asplundh Tree Service and was proud of the time...
Kai E. Shoemaker
Feb 17, 2026
Kai Everett Shoemaker (formerly Brooke Allison Shoemaker), 38, passed away on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at his residence in Staunton.
Kai was born on August 4, 1987, in Staunton, to Billy Ralston, Jr. and Mary Ann Shinpaugh Shoemaker.
Kai devoted his life to uplifting those around him with his gentle spirit and profound kindness.
A graduate of Robert E. Lee High School in...
Joyce O. Rexrode
Feb 15, 2026
Joyce Louise Orner Rexrode, 90, passed away on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at Augusta Health Hospice of the Shenandoah House in Fishersville.
She was born on January 18, 1936, in Augusta County, to the late Paul Jacob and Mattie Irene Back Orner.
Joyce was a graduate of Wilson Memorial High School.
For more than twenty-seven years, Joyce served as a dorm parent at...
Barbara H. Masincup
Feb 13, 2026
Barbara Ann Hutchens Masincup, 88, passed away on Friday, February 13, 2026 at Birch Ridge Senior Living in Staunton.
Barbara was born on January 22, 1938 in Augusta County to the late Robert Raymond, Sr. and Virginia May Bell Hutchens.
Barbara was known for her love of crafting and ceramics, often spending hours creating beautiful pieces that brought joy to those around...
Stephen B. Christ
Feb 12, 2026
Stephen Bayes Christ, 63, passed away on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at August Health in Fishersville after suffering a heart attack.
Steve was born on October 19, 1962, in Staunton, to the late James and Margaret Elizabeth Johnson Christ.
Steve lived in the Staunton area a majority of his life where he worked various jobs from the skate rink to lawn care....
Susan S. Brown
Feb 11, 2026
Susan Elaine Stuart Brown, 67, passed away on Thursday, February 11, 2026, at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville.
She was born on February 13, 1958, in Staunton, to the late Theodore Junior and Charlene Rebecca Walker Stuart.
Susan shared fifty-one beautiful years with Charles, including thirty-eight years of marriage.
A proud and devoted matriarch, Susan was the heart of her...
Eugene "Gene" W. Rowe
Feb 9, 2026
Eugene “Gene” Wilson Rowe, 89, husband of Patricia Tyler Rowe, passed away on Monday, February 9, 2026, at Augusta Health Hospice of the Shenandoah House.
He was born on September 16, 1936, in Augusta County to the late John Clyde and Frances Elizabeth Bailey Rowe.
Gene proudly served his country for four years in the United States Navy during the Korean conflict....
Thomas E. Long
Feb 8, 2026
Thomas Eugene Long, 74, widower of Donna Turner Long, passed away on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at his residence in Staunton.
He was born on March 7, 1951, in Staunton to the late Eugene Lawhorne and Annie Catherine Wiseman Long.
For most of his life, Thomas was a proud owner-operator truck driver, working for numerous local trucking companies. He took great pride...
William D. Wine
Feb 7, 2026
William Deahl Wine, 85, passed away on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Brookdale Senior Living in Staunton.
He was born on May 7, 1940, in Augusta County, to the late Kenneth Lanier and Mary Juanita Deahl Wine.
William was a proud graduate of Middle River High School. On July 25, 1959, he married the love of his life, Joan Shreckhise.
He was an...
John W. Blackwell, Jr.
Feb 7, 2026
John "J" William Blackwell, Jr., 52, a beloved husband, father, pops, and brother, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at his residence in Swoope.
He was born on December 2, 1973, in Waynesboro, a son of John William Blackwell, Sr. and the late Connie Denise Chittum Reider.
J was a graduate of Robert E. Lee High School in Staunton and...
Sylvia D. Carter
Feb 6, 2026
Sylvia Darlene Carter, 62, of Staunton, Virginia, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, February 6, 2026, at her residence.
She was born on November 14, 1963 in Lynchburg, VA.
Known for her immense kindness and a gentle spirit that she extended to everyone she met, Sylvia possessed a rare gift - her hugs could truly make anyone feel deeply...
Kathleen R. Scott
Feb 5, 2026
Kathleen Hyde Russell Scott, 89, passed away on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at her residence in Staunton.
She was born on August 12, 1936, in Cumberland, VA to the late Frank Spencer and Maude Lincoln Langhorne Russell.
Kathleen dedicated her professional life to education, serving as a schoolteacher with Augusta County Schools. She retired from Beverley Manor Elementary School.
She was a devoted...
Francis "Steve" S. Leacock
Feb 5, 2026
Francis Stephen “Steve” Leacock, 71, passed away on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at King’s Daughters’ Community Health and Rehabilitation Center in Staunton.
He was born on February 26, 1954, in Fredericksburg to the late Robert “Bob” Edward Leacock and Evelyn Etta Wimmer.
Steve worked as a retail sales associate at Staples. He never met a gadget he didn’t want to figure out,...
Allan B. Painter II
Feb 2, 2026
Allan Baker Painter, II (85), known by all as Al, passed away on February 2, 2026 after a short illness. Al and his twin brother, the late Simon M. Painter, Jr. (Cy) were born on May 8, 1940 in Bedford, Virginia, the sons of the late Simon M. Painter, Sr and the late Laura Lackey Painter.
Since moving to Staunton in...
Paul R. Blackwell
Jan 30, 2026
Paul Ray Blackwell, 69, passed away on January 30, 2026, in Waynesboro.
He was born on February 13, 1956, to the late William Joseph Blackwell and Mary Josephine Fravel Bell.
He enjoyed fishing and watching movies and was a real movie buff at heart. He also took great pride in his work and valued the friendships he built with his Walmart family.
He...
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