Lena Brown Bess

Lena Brown Bess, 98, of Covington, died Monday, November 3, 2025 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke.

She was born March 4, 1927 in Birch River, WV, a daughter of the late Fred and Ida Brown. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin S. Bess; her step-mother, Bessie Brown; two daughters, Kathy Bess and Thelma Korman; two sons, Ryland Bess and Norman Bess; one grandson, Charles Cole; one great-great granddaughter, Emma Arthur; two sisters; and five brothers.

Lena retired from the former Halmode, Inc. as a seamstress and previously worked at the Industrial Rayon Plant in Covington. In her spare time, she enjoyed spending time with her family, cooking, sewing, traveling, and cheering for the Atlanta Braves. She was a member of Edgemont Presbyterian Church.

Survivors include her daughter, Charlotte Offerman of Akron, OH; two daughters-in-law, Linda Bess of Covington and Ella Bess of Union, OH; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren including Darrell (Vicky) Bess, David (Lorie) Bess, and Danny (Sherry) Bess, all of Covington; a half-sister, Bertie Dixon of Summersville, WV; a brother, Bob Brown of West Virginia; and several nieces and nephews.

In keeping with her wishes, her body has been cremated.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 2:00PM in the Arritt Funeral Home chapel with Mr. Bill Honaker officiating. The family will receive their friends from 1:00 PM until service time at the funeral home.

The family asks that memorial contributions in Mrs. Bess’ name be made to: Edgemont Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 2306 S Church Ave, Covington, VA 24426, or to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 2174.

Arritt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

The family would like to give a special thank you to all the caregivers who loved Lena and allowed her to stay in the comfort of her home.

Friends wishing to send condolences online may do so at arrittfuneralhome.com.