Mary Elizabeth Covington

Mary Elizabeth Covington July 4, 1916 - February 20, 2009 Mary Elizabeth Covington of Waco passed away Friday, February 20, 2009, at St. Catherine's Center, to join her beloved husband, William Covington, Jr., who she had been missing for 28 years. Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 23, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel with Rev. Grayson Glass and Rev. Hal Farnsworth officiating. Visitation will be from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, February 22, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey. Graveside services will be in Alvord, Texas, on Tuesday, February 24, with Rev. Bill Cleveland officiating. Mary was born July 4, 1916, in Alvord to Otis and Eva Dabney. She graduated as salutatorian of her class at Alvord High School and lived in Alvord most of her life. She married William Jr. on December 28, 1934. They raised two sons in Alvord, and instilled in them valuable life lessons of discipline and responsibility. They were an inseparable couple and both were very active in the local Baptist Church. They nurtured and mentored many young people, including several young seminary pastors. While her husband led the music, Mary accompanied either on the piano or organ. After her sons married, she enjoyed sewing and making clothes for her daughters-in-law and granddaughters. In 1984, she moved to Waco to allow a son to help her some. There she continued to be active in the First Baptist Church, in the prayer ministry, teaching sewing to the neighborhood ladies at church, and Sunday School. She made many new friends, both through the church and at Hillcrest Hospital where she served as a volunteer for several years. She was always a helper and caregiver, and never wanted to be a bother to anyone or ask for anyone to care for her. This continued until her death, even while she was in the nursing home. Declining health caused her to move to St. Catherine three years ago. She continued to try to help the other patients, and did not want to bother the nurses by asking for something for herself. She will be greatly missed by many people who she has lovingly touched from all areas of her life. Mammie was always a proud mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, taking great pleasure in talking about the accomplishments of her offspring. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and one sister, Sylvia Shelton. She is survived by two sons, James O. "Spud" Covington and wife, Sammie of Las Cruces, NM and Dr. R.W. "Red" Covington and wife, Sandra of Waco; five granddaughters, Julie Covington of Waco; Jill Underwood and husband, Paul of Brownwood; Mary Jane Covington of Houston, Nicole Covington of Ft. Worth, and Noelle Sheaffer and husband, Charles of Missouri City; two great-granddaughters, Sarah and Meredith Underwood of Brownwood; one sister, Jonnie Drew of Lubbock, and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff of the 4th floor of St. Catherine's, the nurses from Providence Hospice, and especially Dr. James Copeland for their loving care of our mother and grandmother. Honorary Pallbearers are Gordon Riley, Grant Teaff, James Bowden, Willard Still, Dan Hull, Al Ringle, John Drew, Jerry Drew and Jackson Drew, III In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the William Jr. and Mary Covington Church Music Scholarship at Baylor University, to the First Baptist Church of Alvord, TX or the Alvord Cemetery Association. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com.