All Obituaries

S.L. "Smokey" Housden, 87, of Stanley, VA, died peacefully at his home on Monday, September 18, 2023, surrounded by his loved ones.Smokey was born on September 2, 1936, in Stanley. He was the son of Clarence S. Housden and Elton V. Housden.He graduated from Stanley High School in 1955 and went on to serve his country with pride for 36 years through the United States Army and Army Reserves, retiring with rank of Sergeant Major. He also simultaneously served for more than 25 years in a civil...

Taylor Sigrist Royston, 24, of Luray, passed away on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at Blue Ridge Hospice in Winchester.She was born on October 11, 1998, in Harrisonburg and was a daughter of Kelli Marie Sigrist Bailey of Luray.Taylor was a 2017 graduate of Luray High School. She enjoyed milkshakes, getting her hair and nails done with her mom, working on puzzles with her grandmother, and watching fishing shows with her brother-in-law, Joe.On December 11, 2020, she married David Royston, who...

Barbara Ann "Cry Baby" Cubbage, 80, of Stanley, gained her wings on Friday, September 15, 2023, after passing peacefully at her home.She was born on May 30, 1943, in Luray and was a daughter of the late Lester Thomas Smith and Freda Virginia Price Smith.On July 25, 1966, she married Wayne E. Cubbage, who died on March 12, 2004.After 30 years, Barbara retired from the Alma Poultry Plant in Stanley. She was a regular attendee of the Church of the Valley in Shenandoah.Barbara enjoyed numerous...

Helen Mary VanDerveer, 85, of Luray, passed away on Thursday, September 14, 2023, at Winchester Medical Center.She was born on January 26, 1938, in New Brunswick, NJ, and was a daughter of the late Michael Peter Podwats and Susan Margaret Kazmarcik Podwats.Helen was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Luray.On June 3, 1961, she married Thomas Robert VanDerveer, who died on January 27, 2023.She is survived by a son, Thomas Patrick VanDerveer and wife Debra of Delaware; a...

Betty Mae Titus Stickman, 82, of Rileyville, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Thursday September 14, 2023. Betty was born August 21, 1941 in Lucketts, Virginia. She was the daughter of the late Roy Francis Titus and Helen Ann Ballenger Titus. She married Ralph Olander Stickman on August 20, 1960, in Waxpool, Virginia, and lived in Arcola, Virginia, until moving to Rileyville in 1989.She worked for 28 years as the administrative assistant to the Chief of Police in Fairfax County,...

Shirley Whitley, 99, passed away on September 11, 2023, at her home in Marksville, outside of Stanley, Virginia.She was born on February 17, 1924, to the late John Noble and Anna Wolford Shuff in Fort Gay, West Virginia, the youngest of their five children.Shirley grew up in Princeton, West Virginia, before leaving home in 1942 for Detroit, Michigan, to assist with the war effort by becoming a "Rosie the Riveter."In 1947, she married Gerald E. Whitley and they enjoyed 53 happy years of...

Doris Frances Miller, 89, of Luray, passed away on Monday, September 11, 2023, at Skyview Springs Nursing and Rehab.She was born on August 28, 1934, in Luray and was a daughter of the late Elvin P. Miller and Mary Catherine Hoak Miller.Doris was a 1955 graduate of Stanley High School and worked at Wrangler for 40 years. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church.She is survived by a sister, Mary Jane Hedlund of Luray; a brother, Donald Miller of Charlottesville; and numerous nieces and...

Eleanor Blosser "Ellie" McClure, 81, of New Market, passed away on Monday, September 11, 2023, at her home. Ellie was born on April 19, 1942, in Harrisonburg and was a daughter of the late Kirby and Dorothy Mae Sours Blosser.She was a member of the first graduating class from Stonewall Jackson High School in 1960. She had previously worked for the former Aileen Inc., the Town of New Market, the former Theis Funeral Home, as well as being a housekeeper for many families in New Market.She...

Walter Edward Maben, 75, of Luray, passed away on Sunday, September 10, 2023, at Skyview Springs Nursing and Rehab.He was born on July 9, 1948, in Alexandria and was a son of the late George Wilbur Maben and Inez Earline Dodson Maben.Walter was a veteran of the United States Air Force, having served in Vietnam. He was employed as the building inspector in Page County for several years, was a state fire marshal, and worked for both Rappahannock and Warren County as Clerk of the Works. He also...

Marvin Stephen Richards, 71, of Luray, departed this life for his heavenly home on Saturday, September 9, 2023, after a brief illness. He was surrounded by his family. Known as "Steve" or "Buns," he was born on January 26, 1952, in Luray. He was the son of the late Marvin Wesley Richards and June Marie Burner Richards.Steve was a 1971 graduate of Luray High School and attended Chowan College and Virginia Tech. He was employed with Shenandoah National Park for 36 years, retiring in...