Obituaries

Jay "Phil" P. Dixon

Jay "Phil" P. Dixon

Jul 15, 2026

Jay Phillip "Phil" Dixon, 68, passed away on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. A devoted father, fiercely loyal friend, competitive athlete, and creative soul, Phil lived a life defined by enthusiasm, adventure, and a boundless imagination.

He was born on August 22, 1957, in Portsmouth, VA, Phil grew up in California, attending Western High School in Anaheim, where he was an active...

Wade Freeman Grubb

Wade Freeman Grubb

Aug 17, 2026

Wade Freeman Grubb, 56, of Stuarts Draft, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, August 16, 2026, in Staunton.

He was born in Waynesboro, a son of Marian Glenn Dodd Grubb and the late Wade Grubb.

For five years, he worked in maintenance for Mary Baldwin University in Staunton. He was an invaluable member of that department, and his absence will be greatly missed...

David L. Jones

David L. Jones

Aug 16, 2026

David Luther Jones, 61, passed away on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at King’s Daughters Community Health and Rehabilitation Center in Staunton.

He was born on May 18, 1965, in Maryland to the late Raymond Luther and Darlene Joyce Griffin Tyson.

David worked for many years as a welder, a trade that reflected his hardworking nature and skill with his hands.

Outside of work,...

Edith R. Gilbertt

Edith R. Gilbertt

Aug 15, 2026

Edith Ramsey Gilbertt, 94, of Staunton, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the Augusta Health Hospice of the Shenandoah House in Fishersville.

Edith was born to the late Robert and Dora Ramsey in Buena Vista and was one of eight siblings.

She was a strong, independent, and loving woman whose greatest gift was the love she gave so...

Daniel A. McLaughlin

Daniel A. McLaughlin

Aug 13, 2026

Daniel Aubrey McLaughlin, 47, went home to the Lord, Jesus on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at Augusta Health in Fishersville.

He was born on May 23, 1979, in Waynesboro, to David Wayne and Carolyn Lee Sours McLaughlin.

Daniel was a graduate of Riverheads High School in Greenville and spent much of his working life as a professional truck driver.

He attended Greenville United...

Benny R. Whitesell

Benny R. Whitesell

Aug 13, 2026

Benny Ray Whitesell, 79, of Staunton, passed away on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at UVA Medical Center in Charlottesville.

He was born on April 23, 1947, in Staunton, a son of the late Arthur Newcomb Whitesell, Sr. and Flossie Virginia Nutty Whitesell.

Benny proudly served his country as a veteran of the United States Army during the Vietnam War. His commitment to...

William "Billy" A. Branham

William "Billy" A. Branham

Aug 10, 2026

William "Billy" Alexander Branham, Jr., 83, of Staunton, Virginia, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, August 10, 2026.

He was born on March 25, 1943, in Clifton Forge, Virginia, the son of the late William Alexander Branham, Sr. and the late Margaret Irene Thompson Branham.

Billy was a member of Copen Independent Baptist Church in...

Col. Robert C. Effinger III

Col. Robert C. Effinger III

Aug 9, 2026

Colonel Robert Craig Effinger III, 68, passed away on Sunday, August 9, 2026.

He was born on May 26, 1958, in Anniston, Alabama, a son of the late Robert Craig, Jr. and Mary Glover Stevens Effinger.

He was a graduate of Auburn University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in aviation management. From there, he went on to graduate from Central Michigan...

George E. Bird

George E. Bird

Aug 9, 2026

George Edward Bird, 85, passed away on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at Augusta Health Hospice of the Shenandoah in Fishersville.

He was born on November 20, 1940, in Alleghany County to the late Arthur Aranuah Percy and Lynda Ruth Greenway Bird.

George was a proud veteran of the United States Navy and deeply loved his country. During his military service, he served...

Joanne L. Armstrong

Joanne L. Armstrong

Aug 9, 2026

Joanne Lucille Leslie Armstrong, 77, passed away on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at her residence in Staunton.

She was born on November 9, 1948, in Staunton, at Kings Daughters Hospital to the late William “Bill” or “Virginia Colonel” Lewis, Sr. and Evelyn Alice Hudlow Leslie.

Joanne was a member of McKinley United Methodist Church in Middlebrook.

She attended school in Staunton and later...

Judy L. Stephenson

Judy L. Stephenson

Aug 9, 2026

Judy Lynn Stephenson, 78, of Stuarts Draft, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at her residence.

She was born in Augusta County on November 5, 1947, the daughter of the late Clyde Bell, Sr. and Betty Jane Glover Stephenson.

Judy grew up on her family’s farm in Middlebrook. She often enjoyed reminiscing about her childhood and the many memories she...

John Boyd "J.B." Campbell

John Boyd "J.B." Campbell

Aug 8, 2026

John Boyd “J.B.” Campbell, Jr., 81, passed away on Saturday, August 8, 2026.

He was born on January 18, 1945, in Staunton to the late John Boyd, Sr. and Dorothy Lee Malone Campbell.

J.B. retired from DuPont following an impressive fifty years of dedicated service. He was an active member of the Waynesboro Elks Lodge #2270 and a member of Stuarts Draft...

Freda M. Fleisher

Freda M. Fleisher

Aug 7, 2026

Freda M. “Granny” Fleisher, 76, of Staunton, passed away on Friday, August 7, 2026 at the UVA Medical Center in Charlottesville.

Born on May 18, 1950, in Rockingham County, she was the widow of Russell Fleisher and the daughter of the late Minnie Morris.

Freda was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who treasured her family. Fondly known as “Granny” by...

Patricia "Patsy" F. Groah

Patricia "Patsy" F. Groah

Aug 7, 2026

Patricia “Patsy” Annette Fultz Groah, 86, passed away on Friday, August 7, 2026, at Augusta Health Shenandoah House in Fishersville.

She was born on January 22, 1940, in Rockbridge County to the late Thomas Wilbourn, Sr. and Mary “Libby” Elizabeth Ramsey Fultz.

She was a longtime and devoted member of Mount Carmel Presbyterian Church in Steeles Tavern. She had a special love...

Shirley J. Spradlin

Shirley J. Spradlin

Aug 4, 2026

Shirley Mae Jack Spradlin, 77, passed away on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at her residence in Staunton.

She was born on February 11, 1949, in Bath County to the late Jesse Clayton and Cora Devine Windsor Jack.

Shirley worked as a clerk at Walmart for many years. She also enjoyed being a homemaker and took great pride in caring for her home...

Fay L. Knicley

Fay L. Knicley

Aug 3, 2026

Fay Carrington Lyle Knicley, 87, passed away on Monday, August 3, 2026, at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville.

She was born on April 8, 1939, in Staunton to the late Harvey Francisco and Agnes Virginia Ashby Lyle.

Fay was a graduate of Robert E. Lee High School in Staunton and the Elizabeth Brant School of Business in Staunton. She...

Kenneth M. Campbell

Kenneth M. Campbell

Aug 3, 2026

Kenneth Milton Campbell, 87, of Raphine, passed away on Monday, August 3, 2026, at Johnson City Medical Center in Johnson City, TN.

He was born on September 25, 1938, in Rockbridge County, a son of the late Milton Leonard and Leona Catherine Mynes Campbell.

Kenneth was a graduate of Brownsburg High School and dedicated more than forty years of his career as...

Barbara "Bobbie" E. Persinger

Barbara "Bobbie" E. Persinger

Aug 2, 2026

Barbara “Bobbie” Ellen Persinger, 75, of Staunton, Virginia, passed away on Sunday, August 2, 2026.

She was born on October 13, 1950, in Staunton, the daughter of the late Allen Lee Persinger, Sr. and Katherine Ellen (Grove) Persinger.

In 1968, her family purchased the Stonewall Jackson Hotel, where Bobbie worked until it closed for renovation. When the hotel reopened as a conference...

John C. Bratton

John C. Bratton

Jul 31, 2026

John Crew Bratton, 72, born on January 4, 1954, passed away on Friday, July 31, 2026, leaving behind a lifetime of stories, lessons, laughter, and an immeasurable amount of love.

It is difficult to put into words just how loved John was because he was one of those rare people who seemed to leave an impression everywhere he went. He truly...

Helen L. Corbin

Helen L. Corbin

Jul 30, 2026

Helen Louise Shifflett Corbin, 88, passed away on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at Augusta Health Shenandoah Hospice House in Fishersville.

She was born on June 25, 1938, in Waynesboro to the late Cecil Howard and Ethel Terrell Shifflett.

Helen dedicated thirty-two years of her career to General Electric, where she worked as a Quality Control Inspector.

She attended Fishersville United Methodist Church.

Helen found...