A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home

02/04/2026

..and so much more 💔

02/04/2026

Maybe this will help.
~Beautiful Ramblings

02/04/2026

LUTHER G. (“SKIP”) HARLESS passed away on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at Abingdon Nursing and Rehab Facility from complications of dementia. Skip was born in Rocky Gap, VA on August 29, 1944 to Marion & Elsie Tabor Harless.

He graduated from Rocky Gap High School in 1962. After serving a term in Germany for the United States Army, her returned to Rocky Gap and purchased his grandfather’s farm.

Besides enjoying farming, Skip also worked for Consolidation Coal Co., followed by serving VDOT as an inspector until his retirement in 2000.

In his spare time, Skip enjoyed purchasing and refurbishing old farm equipment and was often referred to as “The Tractor Guru.”
In addition to his parents, Skip was preceded in death by his sisters, Patty Harless, Barbara Stockton, Peggy Williams, and Judy Cimino, along with his nephews, Paul Harless, Wade Cimino, Kenneth Williams and Jonathan Williams.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife Margaret (Maggie) Malamisura Harless and her children and grandchildren, whom he loved as his own - Zach Perkins of Bluefield, VA and son Brayden of Virginia Beach, Zane Perkins and children Zane Anthony Perkins and Halen (his “Pretty Girl”) Perkins of Wytheville, VA, and Kara Perkins Barner (Russ) and children Beckett, Brooklyn and Bryce of Charlotte, NC.

Additional survivors include sons Randy and Kevin (Melina)Harless, grandsons Ben (Victoria) and Joseph Harless, ...brothers Doug (Jenny) of Wytheville, VA and David (Mary) Harless of Bastian, VA, brothers-in-law Dr. Mike Malamisura (Mary), Rocky Malamisura (Sandra) and Sam Cimino along with a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

In following Skip’s wishes, he will be cremated and there will be no formal funeral service. Instead, there will be a short eulogy followed by a casual, come as you are, gathering where the family will receive friends and offer a time to offer condolences and share memories of Skip’s life at Bastian Union Church on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 2:00 P.M.

There will be a private interment to follow at a later date.

The Harless family is in the care of A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home, White Gate, avestandsons.com, (540) 921-2985.

02/03/2026

02/03/2026

Grief changes us more than we realize...

02/03/2026

Some losses don’t just take a person.
They take the future you were living toward.

If this speaks to you, you’re not alone in it.

02/03/2026

AUBRY LESTER KIRK, 77, of Pearisburg, VA passed away Monday, February 2, 2026 at Lewis Gale Medical Center.

He was born May 17, 1948 in Staffordsville, VA, the son of the late Paul & Cleo Kirk.

Aubry was a member of Sheffey Memorial Methodist Church. He was a veteran of the United States Army. He was a hard worker and liked to stay busy. He enjoyed travelling and had been to every state in the United States but Hawaii.

Growing up, he enjoyed working horses and working the fields on his family farm. From the young age of 8, he knew he would be a driver. He was a truck driver most of his life and had over 3 million accident free logged miles traveled. He also drove a bus. He was a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast and enjoyed ATV adventures.

Aubry enjoyed watching NASCAR and was a Bill Elliott fan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Gibson & Nancy Cleo Stafford Kirk, his brother, Donald Kirk and his sister & brothers-in-law, Patsy & Robbie Robertson and George Matthews.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 43 years, Inza Johnson Kirk; his children, Sara & Derek Woodyard and Daniel & Bobbi Jo Kirk; his stepchildren, Donna Stafford (Douglas) and Stacy & Sonya Johnson; 8 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild; his brother & sisters-in-law, Kenneth & Frankie Kirk and Joyce Kirk; his sisters & brother-in-law, Bonnie Matthews and Betty & Robert Francis; a special uncle, Arnold (“Mac”) Stafford; his motorcycle and ATV buddies; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends.

Per his wishes, he will be cremated. A memorial service is planned for Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 4:00 P.M. at A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home Chapel, White Gate, with Charles Henderson officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 3:00 P.M. until service time, 4:00 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made in Aubry’s honor to his church, Sheffey Memorial Methodist Church, c/o Dana Randall, 160 Parcell Lane, Staffordsville, VA 24167.

The Kirk family is in the care of A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home, White Gate, avestandsons.com, (540) 921-2985.

01/30/2026

The family of Lekisha Carter has asked that the services be moved up to 5:00 P.M. this afternoon.

A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home will not be liable for injuries, accidents or damages resulting from weather related causes. This is considered a come at your own risk event.

Be safe, stay warm and make the best decision for your situation.

01/24/2026

Phone lines are down at the Funeral Home... If you have a need, stop by or shoot me a FB message!

01/22/2026

The sky burns soft orange at the edge of night,
and my hand lifts like it’s searching for yours.
A butterfly rests where your fingers should be,
light enough to remind me how easily things leave.

The horizon holds its breath,
as if it knows what I’m trying not to say.
I don’t move, because even stillness feels loud,
and I don’t want to scare this moment away.

Your absence hums in my wrist,
in the empty space where comfort used to live.
I let the ache stay exactly where it is,
because pushing it away feels like pushing you away too.

The butterfly opens and closes its wings,
a tiny pulse against the evening air.
I wonder if you see this same quiet color,
if you know I’m still speaking to you in my head.

Some pain doesn’t fade into memory,
it settles into the shape of who I am now.
It teaches my joy how to walk slowly,
how to bow its head when your name passes by.

I lower my hand, but I keep the feeling,
this soft, permanent tenderness inside my chest.
Loving you didn’t end with goodbye,
it just changed its place in my life.

— Memories of You

01/21/2026

I sit at the edge of the water, shoulders turned inward,
the moon laying a pale road across the waves.
Butterflies hover like quiet thoughts I can’t keep,
light touching the dark without sound.

I say your name inside my chest,
because saying it out loud feels too exposed.
The night listens without correcting me,
and the sea keeps its steady breathing.

You are missed in the small hours,
when the world feels larger than my hands.
Missed in the pauses between heartbeats,
where love still knows your shape.

I remember how ordinary days felt fuller,
how laughter settled things without effort.
You were the reason the horizon felt kind,
the weight that made moments stay.

Now I watch the water hold the moon,
teaching me how to reflect without holding.
I let the butterflies pass on their way,
trusting light to visit and leave.

I stay here with what remains,
carrying your meaning into tomorrow.
Words fall short, but love does not,
and I keep you with me, every day.

— Silent Tears For You