All Obituaries

Debra Jane Blankenship Merritt, 68, of Rich Creek, VA, went to be with the Lord on Monday, May 22, 2023, at her home.  Debbie was born on December 18, 1954, in Newport News, VA and was a daughter of the late Walter L. Blankenship and Phyllis June Lester Crider.  Debbie had a strong faith and was a daughter of the Lord.  She is survived by her daughter, Nicole Renae Wimmer (Kevin) of Bedford, her son, Jamie Mikles, Jr. (Vicky) of Princeton, WV, a sister, Carol Sue Crider of...

Tammy Doreen Williams Burke, 49, of Narrows, VA, formerly of Louisiana, passed away on Friday, May 19, 2023.  Tammy was born on December 3, 1973, in Bennettsville, SC and was a daughter of the late Terry Gilbert Williams, I and Dorothy “Dot” Hilton Williams.  Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Terry Gilbert Williams, II. She was born and raised in S.C.  She received her B.S. at Francis Marion University in Florence, S.C. and received 2...

Linda Hurst Lester of Hayes, VA went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at her home.  Linda was born on September 5, 1941 in Parrot, VA and was the daughter of the late Linden Hurst and Ruth Edwards Hurst Mills.  Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Jess Thomas Lester, Jr., her brothers Blake Hurst, David Hurst and sister Joan Shrader.  Linda grew up in the Park Drive –In Theater owned and operated by her parents and...

Michael Stanley Ruganis, 46 of Rich Creek, VA, passed away suddenly after a motor vehicle accident.  Michael was born September 5, 1976, in Manchester, CT, and was the son of Stan A. Ruganis and Debbie Ruganis of Rich Creek. Michael was the owner of 2 very successful businesses, a carpet cleaning business and a construction company.  He was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.  He loved spending time with his family, cooking and being outdoors, hiking, motorcycle riding and...

Matthew Edward Perdue, 40, of Narrows, VA, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 29, 2023.  Matt was born on March 6, 1983, in Blacksburg, VA and was a son of Carol Jean Orey of Narrows and the late Edward Riley Perdue.  Besides his father, he was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Junior and Ruth Orey and his paternal grandparents, Jack Perdue and Lena Buckland and a special cousin, Joey Blankenship.  Matt attended Narrows High School, Class of 2001 and...

Timothy Alan Craft, 55, of Narrows, VA went to join loved passed family members.  Tim was born on July 19, 1967, in Covington, VA and was a son Wanda Gail Smith Hepler (Ralph) and his late father James Richard Craft.  Besides his father, he was preceded in death by his brother, James Richard Craft, Jr.  Tim’s primary passion in life was his family, especially his grandchildren.  He was an avid outdoorsman, hunter and fisherman.  He enjoyed going to his...

Mark Lowrey Haynie, III., 86 of Narrows, VA., went to be with the Lord on Monday, April 24, 2023, at his home.  Mark was born on December 7, 1936, in Charleston, WV and was a son of the late Mark Lowrey Haynie, Jr., and Marie Snowden Mounts Haynie.  Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by 2 great grandchildren.  Mark was a 30 year employee of Union Carbide/Elkem Metals, retiring as their chief chemist and was a 10 year employee of Mississippi Lime retiring as the...

Curtis Glen Robertson, 74, of Narrows, VA, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 19, 2023.  Curtis was born on February 16, 1949, in Narrows and was a son of the late Arthur Glen Robertson and Marie Fletcher Robertson.  He is survived by his brother, Ralph W. Robertson of Narrows and several aunts, many cousins and his church family at Cornerstone Pentcostal Church in Narrows.  A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 7pm at Cornerstone Pentecostal...

Martha Haxall Holzgrefe, 81 of Narrows, VA went to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 8, 2023, at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.  She was born on October 16, 1941, in Richmond, VA, as daughter of the late Paul and Nancy Holzgrefe.  Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Paul William Holzgrefe and John David Holzgrefe. Martha was the head pharmacist at Rite Aid in Rich Creek, VA, until her retirement in 2012.  She was a longtime member of the...

Doris Ann Spicer Burton, 82 of Narrows, VA was called to her heavenly home on Tuesday, March 28, 2023.  Doris, affectionately known to so many as “Nanny”, was born on September 27, 1940, in Pearisburg, VA to the late Henry William Spicer and Virginia Lane Spicer. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 34 years, Robert Lee Burton; a sister, Frances S. Hudson; a brother, Maury Spicer; mother-in-law, Dollie Horne; and special friend of the...