Mary K. Covington, former Bell operator
Mary K. Covington of Simpsonville, S.C., went home to be with her Lord and savior Wednesday, June 20, 2012. She died peacefully at the home of her daughter, with whom she lived, surrounded by her loving family. Life verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:18. In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
She was an operator at Bell Telephone Company and worked in retail at Fox's Department Store in Lewes for several years. She spent many years rearing her family and caring for her husband. She was a gifted artist and musician. She played the piano and organ at church. She also loved singing in the church choir.
Mary taught Sunday school, Pioneer Girls, Awana and Bible School at The First Baptist Church in Lewes. She was also the housemother at Beebe School of Nursing in Lewes for several years. She attended Hampton Park Baptist Church in Greenville, S.C., and Calvary Baptist Church in Simpsonville, S.C. Several summers she enjoyed traveling abroad, doing mission work in Israel and the Caribbean.
The daughter of the late L.H. and Grace Collison of Marydel, Mary was preceded in death by her loving husband of 46 years, Robert H. Covington; daughter, Elizabeth Ann Covington; and sister, Ruth Keck Witt. She is survived by her brother, Andrew Collison and his wife Pat of Asbury, W.Va.; her three daughters, Bethanne C. Mabbitt and her husband Shayne of Simpsonville, Bobette C. Thompson and her husband Tom of Newark, and Mary Beth Lewis and her husband Tom of Wilmington; her grandchildren, Ethan, Michaela, Gabrielle and Seth Mabbitt of Simpsonville, Mary-Lynne Stone and husband Trevor of Sandusky, Mich., Debbie Thompson of Newark, Kelly Simpson and her husband Carl of Hartly, Katie Shenk and her husband Josh of Lancaster, Pa.; stepgrandchildren, Josh and Jeremy Lewis and Sarah O'Reilly of St. Augustine, Fla.; nine great-grandchildren; two nephews; and two nieces.
Special thanks to Heartland Hospice, who showed compassion and support during this difficult time.
Friends and family are invited to attend the viewing at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 24, at Pippin Funeral Home, 119 West Camden-Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, with service at 2 p.m. Burial to follow at Barratt's Chapel Cemetery, Frederica.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Memorial Contributions HeartLand Hospice, 421 SE Main St., Suite 100, Simpsonville, SC 29681.
