OBITUARIES

James "Jim" Harvey Pitsenbarger

James "Jim" Harvey Pitsenbarger

Jul 8, 2024

James “Jim” Harvey Pitsenbarger, 66, of Hot Springs passed away on Monday, July 8, 2024 at The Woodlands Health and Rehab Center in Clifton Forge.

He was born December 31, 1957 in Hightown, a son of the late Herbert Leo Pitsenbarger and Ina Lavelle (Warner) Pitsenbarger.

Jim was raised in Hightown United Methodist Church and was a graduate of Highland High School...

Jan Stuart (Mercer) Brown

Jan Stuart (Mercer) Brown

Jul 6, 2024

Jan Stuart Mercer Brown died Friday afternoon, July 6, in McDowell, Virginia, at the home she shared with her son and daughter-in-law Cotten and Caryn Brown. She was 88.

Jan was born on April 19, 1936, to Howell P. Mercer and Mary Elizabeth Stuart Mercer in Tampa, Florida, and attended Tampa public schools. As a student at Plant High School, she...

Peggy Ann (Lowry) Weaver

Peggy Ann (Lowry) Weaver

Jul 5, 2024

Peggy Ann (Lowry) Weaver, 84, of Hot Springs, passed away Friday, July 5, 2024 at The Woodlands Health and Rehab Center in Clifton Forge.

She was born in Highland County on August 15, 1939, a daughter of Millard Ernest and Daisy Ann (Turner) Lowry. 

A Christian, she was raised in the former Wesley Chapel Advent Christian Church and a graduate of Monterey...

Joy Ann Smith

Joy Ann Smith

Jul 4, 2024

Joy Ann (Mitchell) Smith, 92, of Headwaters passed away Thursday, July 4, 2024 at Brookdale Senior Living in Staunton.

She was born in Churchville, April 18, 1932, a daughter of the late Gilbert and Lillie Kate (Armstrong) Mitchell. She married John Clyde Smith, who predeceased her on February 10, 2008.

A devout Christian, Joy was a member of the former Headwaters Presbyterian...

Caroline Helen (Chestnut) Pritt

Caroline Helen (Chestnut) Pritt

Jun 25, 2024

Caroline Helen Chestnut Pritt, 79, of Hot Springs passed away on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at The Springs Nursing Center.

She was born on July 27, 1944 in Mountain Grove, a daughter of the late Ray Newton Chestnut and Helen Gaye Hamilton Chestnut. She graduated from Valley High School and was employed at the Gristmill Restaurant and later the Bacova Guild.

A...

Elizabeth "Betsy" Little

Elizabeth "Betsy" Little

Jun 18, 2024

Elizabeth “Betsy” Anderson Little, 80, of McDowell, passed away Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at The Legacy in Staunton after an extended illness.

She was born Feb. 28, 1944, in St. Petersburg, Fla., the daughter of the late Walter and Josephine McClure Anderson. She lived in Augusta County as a child.

Betsy’s career in the newspaper business began when she was the middle...

Ina Lavelle Pitsenbarger

Ina Lavelle Pitsenbarger

Jun 18, 2024

Ina Lavelle (Warner) Pitsenbarger, 91, formerly of Monterey, passed away Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at Pendleton Manor in Franklin, WV.

She was born in Circleville, WV on December 2, 1932, a daughter of the late Emory John and Tena Catherine (Judy) Warner. On April 11, 1952, she married Herbert Leo Pitsenbarger, who preceded her in death February 16, 1994.

A child care...

Betsy Faircloth

Betsy Faircloth

Jun 13, 2024

Betsy Faircloth, 94, of Jacksonville, Fla. and McDowell, Va., passed away June 13, 2024 in Jacksonville.

She was born in Highland County, Va. on January 5, 1930 to the late Harry Lee and Mary Bess (Hamilton) Marshall.

After attending college classes, she moved to Jacksonville to be with her sister and worked as a legal secretary. She met her husband of 61...

Granvil "Junior" Griffin, Jr.

Granvil "Junior" Griffin, Jr.

Jun 11, 2024

Granvil Garland “Junior” Griffin, Jr., 68, of Stuarts Draft, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at the home of his son.

He was born May 20, 1956, a son of the late Granvil “Tom” Garland and Mary “Janet” (Losh) Griffin.

A man of many talents, Junior was chiefly a self-employed contractor and carpenter.  Additionally, he had been employed with Cerro Metal...

Marcia (Kelley) Cleek

Marcia (Kelley) Cleek

Jun 6, 2024

Marcia (Kelley) Cleek, 55, of Stuarts Draft, passed away Thursday, June 6, 2024 at her home.

She was born July 16, 1968 in Bath County, a daughter of the late Julian Garnet and Reta Madelene (Hamilton) Kelley. On July 26, 1986 Marcia married Dale Richard Cleek.

A homemaker, Marcia loved spending time with her grandchildren and fur babies; as well as taking...

Edward "Ed" Franklin Botkin

Edward "Ed" Franklin Botkin

Jun 1, 2024

Edward Franklin Botkin, 85, of Sugar Grove, WV passed away Saturday, June 1, 2024 at Hospice of the Piedmont in Charlottesville, Va.

He was born August 21, 1938 in Pendleton County, a son of the late Bertha Mae Botkin, and was raised by his uncle, the late Charles Pinkney “Pink” Botkin.

A simple man, Ed lived a happy life utilizing basic necessities...

James Edward Blankenship

James Edward Blankenship

May 18, 2024

James “Jim” Edward Blankenship, Sr., 69, of McDowell, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, May 18, 2024 at August Health in Fishersville.

He was born August 26, 1954, in Baltimore, MD, a son of the late Charles Raymond Blankenship, Jr. and wife, Mildred Cleveland (Leaf) Blankenship.

A dedicated and reliable school bus driver, Jim was employed by Highland County Public Schools, and faithfully transported...

Orion Olin "Jack" Beverage

Orion Olin "Jack" Beverage

May 16, 2024

Orion Olin "Jack" Beverage, 85, passed away, Thursday, May 16, 2024 at his home, after a few years of declining health.

He was born February 25, 1939 on Strait Creek Road, a son of the late Henry Martin and Audrey Lou (Harper) Beverage. On April 13, 1962, he married Thelma Grey Gum, who predeceased him on March 25, 2024.

Jack started his...

Peter Michael Kobele

Peter Michael Kobele

May 4, 2024

Peter Michael Kobele, 76, of the Mill Gap area of Highland County, passed away, Saturday, May 4, 2024 at Augusta Health in Fishersville.

The family will hold a private memorial service at a later date.

Joseph Roscoe Armstrong Jr.

Joseph Roscoe Armstrong Jr.

May 4, 2024

Joseph “Tiger” Roscoe Armstrong, Jr., age 80, of Churchville, passed away Saturday, May, 4, 2024 at Brookdale Senior Living in Harrisonburg. 

Mr. Armstrong was born April 30th, 1944, a son of the late Joseph Roscoe, Sr. and Mary Louise (Mongold) Armstrong. He was raised by his grandparents, the late Roy “R.W” Wandless and Margie Pauline (Siron) Armstrong, whom he lovingly referred...

Leon Elmer Baer

Leon Elmer Baer

Apr 11, 2024

Leon Elmer Baer, 82, of Doe Hill, passed away Thursday, April 11, 2024 at Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

The son of Mennie Lillian Smith and William Lurty Baer, he was born in Riverton, WV on November 7, 1941.

A beloved member of Highland and Pendleton County communities, Leon was a welder by trade. Before his retirement to Doe Hill in 2011, he had...

Westley Eugene Roberts

Westley Eugene Roberts

Apr 11, 2024

Westley Eugene Roberts, 68, of Burnsville, passed away Thursday, April 11, 2024 at his home surrounded by family.

He was born March 1, 1956, a son of the late Richard “Ritchie” Dale and Twila Jane (Burns) Roberts.

A great carpenter, Westley had worked as a carpenter at The Homestead for many years prior to starting his own business, and he was a...

Kate Beverage Hiner

Kate Beverage Hiner

Apr 8, 2024

Kate (Beverage) Hiner, 92, of McDowell, passed away Monday, April 8, 2024 surrounded by her family at her home.

She was born in the Strait Creek community of Highland County on March 7, 1932, a daughter of the late Walter Ralph and Elizabeth (Ryder) Beverage. On February 20, 1951, she married Dick Maloy Hiner.

A homemaker in every possible way, Kate enjoyed...

Charles "Billy" Grant

Charles "Billy" Grant

Apr 5, 2024

Charles “Billy” William Grant, 85, of McDowell, went to meet his Lord and Savior Friday, April 5, 2024 at the home of his sister.

He was born in Staunton, October 21, 1938, a son of the late Charles Roy and Janet Ruth (Lockridge) Grant.

A devout Christian, Billy was truly a man after God’s own heart, reaching the lost and praying for...

Margaret Heyn

Margaret Heyn

Apr 4, 2024

Margaret Beauford Warwick Heyn, 102, of Monterey, passed away Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Augusta Health in Fishersville. 

The daughter of the Rev. Abram Beauford Warwick, a native of Lovingston, and Phoebe Dice Jones Wilson Warwick, a native of Monterey, Margaret was born on Feb. 18, 1922, in Sinking Creek, where her father was temporarily on assignment as principal of the...