Obituaries
Jerri Lynn Reece Stump
Apr 26, 2026
There was no one in the world quite like Jerri Lynn Stump. Known for her colorful character and unique experiences, you may have seen her saving bald eagles on the side of the road or helping her customers find the best deals at the local Tractor Supply where she worked. Jerri was a likable ol’ country girl with a heart...
Sylvia Melvin Duncan
Apr 25, 2026
Sylvia Melvin Duncan, 82, from Pembroke, Virginia went home to be with the Lord surrounded by family on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Born in Mechanicsburg, Virginia on January 20, 1944, to the late Frank Melvin and Lottie Hardy. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 20 years, Jerry D. Duncan; sister, Pauline Taylor; and brother, Larry Melvin.
She...
Betty Jo Justice Smith Basham
Apr 18, 2026
Betty Justice Smith Basham was born on June 7, 1928 at Hardy, Kentucky, to Timothy and Blanche O'Brien Justice. She is survived by one brother, Bob Justice of Hollywood, Florida; and four children, Janet Smith Francis, Pearisburg, VA; Tim (Kathy) Smith, Fuquay Varina, North Carolina; Jim (Cindy) Smith, Crosslanes, West Virginia; and Chris Smith, Burbank, California; five grandchildren: Sharon (Tom)...
Doris Jean Albert Bostic
Apr 13, 2026
Doris Jean Albert Bostic, 92 of Ripplemead, VA, went to be with the Lord on Monday, April 13, 2026, at her home. Jean was born on February 20, 1934, in Pembroke, VA., and was a daughter of the late Amos Lee Albert and Jewell Elizabeth Phlegar Albert. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Bobby”...
Edna June Sutherland Journell
Mar 4, 2026
Edna June Sutherland Journell, 96 of Narrows, VA., went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. June was born on June 12, 1929, in Clintwood, VA and was a daughter of the late Noah Linden Sutherland and Edna Phoebe Counts Sutherland. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Ennis Rakes, 2 sons,...
Louise Petty Johnston
Mar 4, 2026
Louise Petty Johnston, 94 of Pearisburg, VA, was born March 26, 1931, and passed away on March 4, 2026. She was a graduate of Bramwell High School in Bramwell, West Virginia and Bluefield Business College in Bluefield West Virginia. She met and married Robert Goode Johnston in Bluefield, West Virginia and lived in Pearisburg, Virginia for over 65 years.
While on...
Helen "Margie" Margaret Meredith Scott
Feb 28, 2026
Helen “Margie” Margaret Meredith Scott, 94 of Pearisburg, VA., went to be with the Lord on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at her home. Margie was born on July 19, 1931, on Doe Creek, Pembroke, VA and was a daughter of the late Raymond Leonard Meredith and Mary Brown Williams Meredith. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her...
Robert Straley French
Feb 26, 2026
Robert Straley French, 74 of Pearisburg, VA., went to be with the Lord on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at his home surrounded by his family. Robert was born on February 4, 1952, in Princeton, WV., and was a son of the late Ralph Waldo French and Rosa Lee Hill French. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by 4...
Norma Jean Johnston Chafin
Feb 20, 2026
Our mother, Norma Jean Johnston Chafin, 89 of Pearisburg, VA, went to be with the Lord on February 20, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Born November 26,1936 in Radford, VA, she was the daughter of the late Luther Paul and Anna Farmer Johnston.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Harold...
Shelia Gail Graham Johnson
Feb 3, 2026
Shelia Gail Johnson, 64, of Pearisburg, VA., went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 surrounded by her loving family. Shelia was born on April 28, 1961, in Pearisburg, VA. and was a daughter of the late Larry Leonard Graham and Lindy Ellen Meadows Graham. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Johnny...
George McKinnley Martin
Feb 2, 2026
The world lost a great lover of cars today. George McKinnley Martin died unexpectedly. Despite valiant efforts to save him, he succumbed to a fatal heart attack. He is preceded in death by his mother, Helen L. "Lori" Shaw, his stepfather, Don Shaw, and his father Clinton Carroll "CC" Hill; grandmother, Hassie Rogers and grandfather, George "Doc" Rogers; father-in -law,...
Michael Lance Dickerson
Jan 30, 2026
Michael Lance Dickerson, 43, of Pearisburg, VA., went to be with the Lord on January 30, 2026, at the home of his mother. Michael was born on June 10, 1982, in Blacksburg, VA and was the son of Marian Jeanette Dickerson. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Millard and Violet Dickerson and his uncle Danny Dickerson.
Michael was...
Cheryl Lee Hawk Arrington
Jan 29, 2026
Cheryl, more affectionately known as Sherry, passed peacefully after a long and difficult battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy on January 29th, 2026. She was 66years old. Sherry was born October18,1959 to the late Charles Edward Hawk Jr. and Evelyn Blackwell Hawk. Left to cherish her memory are her siblings, Pamm Bryant (David), Gwendolyn Hawk, and Charles “Chuck” Hawk (Cindy). Her...
Lottie Anne Gusler Loving
Jan 21, 2026
Lottie Anne Gusler Loving, 86, of Pearisburg, VA., went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. Lottie was born on July 14, 1939, in Giles County, VA., and was a daughter of the late Lacy Cardell Gusler and Winnie Wilburn Gusler. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Alton Loving, son, C.A....
Mark Wilbur Simmons
Jan 20, 2026
Mark Wilbur Simmons, 75, of Pearisburg, VA passed away peacefully at his home on January 20, 2026. He was born in Radford, VA in 1950 to the late William G. Simmons and Ruth H. Simmons.
Mark was raised in Narrows, VA where he grew up with his 5 siblings whom he loved dearly and looked out for. He had a profound...
Anna Christine Hockenberger Abel
Jan 16, 2026
Anna Christine Hockenberger Abel, 86 of Bedford, VA., formerly of Pearisburg, VA., went to her heavenly home to see her husband on Friday, January 16, 2026. Anna was born on July 7, 1939, in Pittsburgh, PA and was a daughter of the late Harry Hansen Hockenberger and Dorothy Reithmueller Hockenberger. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her,...
Martin Andre Rafferty
Jan 13, 2026
Martin Andre Rafferty, age 92, of Pearisburg, VA, died on January 13th, 2026, with his family by his side. Martin was born on June 24th, 1933, in Gardner, MA, to Emerson and Madeleine Rafferty. He received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Worchester Polytechnic University. Martin was a veteran of the United States Army. Martin began his professional...
Melinda Jane Blankenship Gusler
Jan 10, 2026
Melinda Jane Blankenship Gusler, 59, of Pearisburg, VA., went to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at her home. Melinda was born on December 21, 1966, in Princeton, WV and was a daughter of the late Donald Whittaker and Linda Brown Blankenship.
Melinda was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She loved camping, fishing, riding side by sides...
Peggy Lafon Lucas
Jan 1, 2026
Peggy Lafon Lucas went to be with the Lord on January 1, 2026, on her 87th birthday. She passed away peacefully with her daughters by her side. She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, C. F. Lucas along with her parents, Houston and Lorine Lafon, and her four siblings.
Peggy graduated from Pearisburg High School in 1957....
Alfred "Al" Francis Katz, Jr.
Dec 31, 2025
Celebration of Life for Our Beloved Father
It is with both sorrow for our loss and joy for his eternal reward that we announce the passing of Alfred Francis Katz Jr., of Pearisburg, Virginia, who passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones, at the age of 85. He left this world as he lived it—on his own terms. Alfred...
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