Covington man dies; fellow MeadWestvaco employee recovering

COVINGTON, VIRGINIA - Curtis Jeter of Covington died recently after being injured last week at MeadWestvaco's Covington mill.

Jeter, 50, died at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville. He was injured April 25 in the power area of the mill, according to a company statement. Part of that area generates power for the mill, according to Roz Durden, public affairs manager for the Covington mill.

Employee Norman Martin, also injured in the accident, is recovering at home, according to Ron Brown, president of United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial & Service Workers International Union (USW) Local 8-675.

Officials from the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry were investigating the accident.

MeadWestvaco released a brief statement. "Our deepest sympathy and prayers go out to the family, friends and co-workers of our fellow employee," the statement said.

Jeter worked for the company for 28 years, according to his wife, Linda Jones Jeter.

The funeral at Covington's Pine Street Baptist Church was so crowded, she said, some people had to stand outside.

Linda Jones Jeter said her husband had many friends at MeadWestvaco. "I think they cried more than I did," she said.

Curtis Jeter enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing and hunting, Linda Jeter said. He had two children and seven grandchildren. The couple would have celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary June 2.

"I don't know how I'm going to make it," she said.

Brown described Jeter as a popular employee who walked around with a perpetual smile and who always worked hard. Jeter, Brown said, was one of his best friends.

Many MeadWestvaco employees are struggling with grief, Brown said.

"It wasn't like he got sick or something," Brown said. "He was there and then he was gone."