Roger Dale Burns, 65, of Covington, Virginia, formerly of Rainelle, passed away Wednesday, April 24, 2024, unexpectedly in the Lewis Gale Alleghany Medical Center, Low Moor, Virginia.

Born January 19, 1959 at Rainelle, he was the son of the late Nancy Estep Burns Bragg and husband Clarence Bragg.

Roger was a 1977 graduate of Greenbrier West High School, where he became the first GWHS football player to make 1st Team All-State football, playing defensive end.

Roger was well-known in his hometown of Rainelle where he operated the Rainelle Mini Mart, and also in Covington, Virginia, where he was a long-time manager at Walmart.

Roger was a special man with a personality that was impossible to forget. He always made everyone he met laugh and always had a smile on his face, never allowing anyone to feel left out.

Roger was a family man who loved spending time with his kids and grandkids any chance he got. Whether it was holidays, birthdays, fishing, or Tuesday Family Game Night, Roger was the life of the party and making everyone laugh.

Roger enjoyed cutting and splitting wood and raising chickens. He was selfless in his care and concern for not only his family but anyone that needed help. He would take in others and treat them as his own. Roger never met a stranger! He left his family many memories they will cherish forever.

Roger was a member of the Fincastle Baptist Church. His positive energy, boisterous laugh, and handsome grin will be remembered and cherished always.

In addition to his mother and step-father, Roger is preceded in death by his nephew, Denny Ray Burns.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Ashley Gwinn Burns; two sons, Roger Dale Burns, II (Megan) of Peterstown and Micheal Burns of Covington, Virginia; five daughters, Jessica Viars of Rainelle, Melissa Burns of Sam Black, Savannah Bess (Josh) of Fincastle, Virginia, Sarah Burns and Abigail Burns, both of Covington, Virginia; two brothers, Dennis Burns of Virginia and Doug Burns (Cindy) of Dawson; two bonus children, Agli Goxhaj of Charleston, South Carolina and Amber Burton of Covington, Virginia; three grandchildren Mara Viars, Addi Viars, and Baby Burns arriving in September; his first wife and lifetime friend, Juanita Walker Burns of McRoss; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, friends; and his faithful companion, Milo.

Services will be 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 29 with Pastor Roger Thornton officiating.

The family will receive friends from 6 – 7:30 p.m. before the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations of sympathy be made to help with the unexpected final arrangements, to Smathers Funeral Chapel, 675 Main Street, Rainelle, WV 25962.

The Smathers Funeral Home, Rainelle, West Virginia, is in charge of arrangements.