The Shadow
Sandra Dunaway
Sandra Lynn Fridley Dunaway, 73, left this life peacefully to be with the Lord on June 11, 2025.
She was born October 8, 1951 to the late Muriel “Bud” and Doris Fridley. A former Callaghan resident, she remained in the City of Covington for most of her life. The last three years of her life she resided in Clifton Forge as a resident of The Woodlands Health and Rehab Center.
Sandra married the late Marvin Lyn Dunaway in a small courthouse wedding in Greenbrier Co., WV on March 4, 1977. Married for 45 years, they raised two daughter, Holly Dunaway Stayton and Danielle Dunaway Lombardo.
She had the best time working with friends , and especially her life-long friend, Freda Jeter in the housekeeping department at the Holiday Inn. She went on to work in the dietary department of Alleghany Regional Hospital for a number of years before becoming a private sitter for several local elderly folks.
In her retirement, her favorite pastime was caring for her only grandchild, Taylor Stayton. She found purpose in attending Taylor’s games and graduations. She and Taylor went on many adventures during her childhood, such as going fishing, shopping, singing to any country song and baking most of the time.
Her time at the Woodlands Health and Rehab seemed to give her a new lease on life. As a lively resident, she would often be found in the cafeteria, singing along to Sunday Service or gabbing with the staff and her hall neighbors. She enjoyed the musical acts that would come by to entertain the
residents. Sandra left a big impression on the hearts of the staff and residents, especially Janet Munsey with whom she developed a special friendship in her last years of life. Her spirited and comedic personality will be missed.
The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of The Woodlands for their care and compassion that Sandra received during her stay.
Sandra was always expressive and witty. She had a wealth of knowledge when it came to music, movies and TV. Based on the amount of Law and Order she has seen, she probably would made an excellent private investigator. She was also a good cook, her daughters calling her up to probe for
Sandra’s secret recipes.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Muriel and Doris Fridley; her husband, Marvin Dunaway; aunts, Emma Humphries (Omer), Roxie Miotke (Thomas), Margaret Gazvoda (Joseph), Lois Terry (Clyde); uncle, Linwood Rudy Montgomery (Gladys) and granddog, Maxx Lombardo. She is
survived by her daughters, Holly Stayton (David) and Danielle Lombardo (Francesco); granddaughter, Taylor Stayton; granddog, Marley Bell Stayton; sister, Betty O’Conner and her children, Eric Huddleston, Lorrie Huddleston and Shawn O’Conner; cousin, Phyllis Long (Louie) and her children, Lisa Amos and Kevin Long; special friends, Tiffany Sanders and Dr. Ambra Nida; and a number of extended relatives.
An open service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, June 13, 2025 at Loving Funeral Home by Rev. David Brown. She will be laid to rest at Fletcher Chapel Cemetery in Callaghan. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Ronald McDonald House in memory of Haley Nida, 2224 S. Jefferson St. Roanoke, VA 24014. Please send condolences to 6211 Potts Creek Road, Covington, VA 24426.
Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; to view Mrs. Dunaway’s memorial tribute page, please visit www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.
