Obituaries
Boyd M. Talley
May 10, 2024
Boyd Melvin Talley, 82, of Bridgewater, passed away peacefully at his residence on Friday, May 10,2024. He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, dedication, and love that will forever be cherished by those who knew him. He was born in Augusta County on July 29, 1941, to the late Mervin Richard and Elizabeth Catherine Smith Talley.Boyd dedicated many years of...
Patricia F. Blackley
May 7, 2024
                                Patricia “Pat” Fry Blackley, 71, of 1207 Stocker Street, Staunton, died peacefully in her sleep at 1:45AM on Tuesday morning, May 7, 2024, at Shenandoah House, Fishersville, Virginia. 
She was born July 4, 1952, in Staunton, a daughter of the late James E. Fry and Mildred B. Fry.
She graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Staunton, VA and was Valedictorian...
                                
Cynthia C. Spitzer
May 7, 2024
                                Cynthia Ann Coe Spitzer, 76, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at her residence in Staunton.
Cindi was born on April 8, 1948, in Richwood, WV to the late George Harvey and Betty Lee Blake Coe. She was the eldest of her siblings.
She was a graduate of the University of Tennessee. Cindi was an educator and...
                                
Rebecca H. Perrin
May 5, 2024
                                Rebecca Maria Hansel Perrin, 77, passed away on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, Virginia.
She was born on December 28, 1946, in Washington, D.C., to the late Roger and Katharine Dobbs Hansel.
Rebecca earned her Bachelor’s degree in education at the University of Delaware and her Master’s in Education from Mary Baldwin College in Staunton....
                                
Doris N. Riley
May 5, 2024
                                Doris Marie Nuckols Riley, 80, passed away on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at her residence in Mint Spring, surrounded by her husband of 61 years and her children.
She was born on December 15, 1943, in Staunton to the late Robert Roller and Alma Virginia Wright Nuckols.
Doris worked for a short time at Staunton Steam Laundry. She spent her life serving...
                                
Shirley F. Mays
May 2, 2024
                                Shirley Mae Fitzgerald Mays, 87, passed away on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at her residence in Stuarts Draft.
She was born on May 30, 1936, in Staunton to the late George Garber, Sr. and Catherine Craft Fitzgerald. 
Shirley was married to Reverend Walter D. Mays, Sr. on July 2, 1955, in Staunton. She graduated from Robert E. Lee High School and attended...
                                
Ronald G. Bales
May 1, 2024
                                Ronald Gene Bales, 85, passed away on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at Augusta Health in Fishersville.   He was born on February 7, 1939, in Gary, WV, to the late Samuel McDowell and Juanita Thomas Bales.  
 
Throughout his life, Ronald wore many hats - from his days as a farmer to his time spent as a truck driver, before ultimately settling...
                                
Dreama K. McMillan
May 1, 2024
                                Dreama Dawn Kennedy McMillan, 85, passed away on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at Kings Daughters Community Health and Rehabilitation Center in Staunton.She was born on January 28, 1939, in Pulaski to the late Charles Snow and Charlotte Lucille Hufford Kennedy Holiday.
Dreama graduated from Waynesboro High School and then went on to graduate from Mary Baldwin College, earning her bachelor’s degree...
                                
Teresa H. Anderson
Apr 30, 2024
                                Teresa Lynn Heitzenrater Anderson, 71, passed away on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at her residence in Staunton.
She was born on August 8, 1952, in Silver Spring, Maryland to the late Theodore Richard Heitzenrater and Anne Shirley Brown DeBusk.
In her free time, Teresa could be found working on cross stitching. She also found joy in cooking meals for her family and...
                                
James W. Swain
Apr 28, 2024
                                James Ward Swain, 71, passed away on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at his residence in Grottoes.
He was born on July 13, 1952, in Baltimore, MD, to the late Samuel Lusby Jackson and Helen Magnolia Anderson Swain.
James served in the United States Army for seventeen years and in his spare time enjoyed being on the water and fishing.
He is survived by...
                                
Harry E. Cobb
Apr 28, 2024
                                Harry Ernest Cobb, Jr., 89, passed away on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at Augusta Health in Fishersville.
He was born on November 11, 1934, in Pendleton County, WV to the late Harry Ernest, Sr. and Martha Jones Hiner Cobb.
Mr. Cobb worked for many years with Echols Brothers Construction before going into business for himself. 
He was known for his love of hunting...
                                
Stephen J. Powell
Apr 24, 2024
                                Stephen James Powell, 57, of Staunton, fell asleep in death at home, with his loyal wife by his side, on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.
Stephen was born on February 13, 1967, in Malden, Massachusetts to the late Lester Leroy Powell and the late Eleanor Hurley Paolin Powell.
Because of his devout love for his God Jehovah, Stephen dedicated his life as one...
                                
Samuel "Peck" A. Thomas III
Apr 24, 2024
                                Samuel A. Thomas III "Peck", husband of Rebecca M. Thomas, passed away at his home on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.
Peck was born on November 12, 1953, in Memphis, Tennessee to the late Samuel Albert Thomas Jr and Ruby Lucinda Thomas.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Julia Marston Thomas of Georgia; his son, David Samuel Thomas...
                                
Emma M. Carpenter
Apr 24, 2024
                                Emma Belle Moran Carpenter, 98, passed away on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at Birch Gardens Assisted Living in Staunton.
She was born on May 5, 1925, in Augusta County, to the late Frank Crist, Sr. and Clara Margaret Yago Moran.
She was a member of the Staunton Church of the Brethren, but very active at Jerusalem Chapel. She loved cooking, baking, keeping...
                                
Clarence W. Hodge, Sr.
Apr 22, 2024
                                Clarence William Hodge, Sr., 97, passed away peacefully on Monday. April 22, 2024, at his residence in Staunton, with his son and daughter-in-law by his side.
He was born on July 3, 1926, in Highland County to the late Clarence Elvin and Sarah Frances Eckard Hodge.
Clarence will be remembered for his love of the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting with his son...
                                
Erin C. Leathers
Apr 21, 2024
                                Erin Marie Crouch Leathers, 47, passed away on Sunday, April 21, 2024, at her residence in Staunton.
She was born on January 23, 1977, in Richmond to the late Hunter Douglas Crouch and her mother Vickie Lynn Smith.
She was a member of Elliott’s Knob Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 680 and the Loyal Order of Moose Staunton Lodge 1635. Erin was...
                                
Francis "Frank" J. McDonough
Apr 20, 2024
Francis (Frank) J. McDonough, age 90, passed away peacefully April 20, 2024 due to natural causes. He was born September 29, 1933 in Philadelphia, PA. Frank married the love of his life and best friend Betty,on June 21, 1956. You can hardly think of Frank without Betty (deceased April 8, 2023) as they were a team and had a wonderful...
William L. Garrett
Apr 19, 2024
                                William Lee Garrett, 84, husband of Bonnie Smeltzer Garrett, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 19, 2024; at his residence in Staunton surrounded by his family.
He was born on December 24, 1939, in Roanoke, the son of the late Harry Lee Garrett and Eleanor Randolph Bowers Garrett Petty.
Mr. Garrett served in the United States Army Reserves for several years and...
                                
Judy L. Matthews
Apr 16, 2024
Judy Anne Little Matthews, 70, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, passed away on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at Augusta Health in Fishersville. She was born on November 7, 1953, in Albuquerque, New Mexico to the late Master Sergeant Warren "Sarge" Henry Little and Mary Eloise Ames Little, of the famed Five Ames Sisters vaudevillian act. Because of her father's distinguished...
Dr. Rudolph M. Bell
Apr 16, 2024
                                Dr. Rudolph Mardre Bell, 90, went to be with his Savior in Heaven on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. 
He is survived by his six children, Katharine Kammer (Will) of Wilmington, North Carolina; Rudolph M. Bell, Jr. (Venah) of Liberty, South Carolina; Sarah Meekhof (John) of Spokane, Washington; Dudley Bell (Julie) of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Andrew Bell of Wilmington, North Carolina; and...
                                

