Ralph Covington

CARNESVILLE – Ralph Edmond Covington, 82, died Wednesday, April 21, 2010, at his residence with his family by his side.

Born March 28, 1928, in Jefferson, he was a native of Jackson County and was the youngest of nine children born to the late Lee Wesley and Beulah Estelle Adams Covington. He was a veteran having served in the United States Army and received an honorable discharge in October, 1956. Mr. Covington was preceded in death by a daughter, Patsy Covington Butterworth.

He enjoyed sports of all kinds and briefly raced cars in Alabama. Early on in life, he learned the sport of billiards and became an expert at the game, at one time playing against the well-known celebrity billiards player Jeannette Lee, The Black Widow. The sport he enjoyed best was checkers and he became the best in Georgia after defeating the Georgia Checkers Champion. He was also an avid bowler, having bowled in a league for many years.
He was involved in the landscaping business most of his life and later owned his own lawnmower and small engine repair business. Ralph was of the Baptist denomination. For many years he served the community through involvement in civic organizations, being instrumental in providing free blood pressure screenings and free clothing to the poor communities of Atlanta. He enjoyed the wonderful life he shared with his wife, children and grandchildren.

Survivors include his loving wife of 52 years, Sarah Beck Covington; daughters and sons-in-law, Felicia and Tim Cooper, Newnan, Melicia and Scott Mitchell, McDonough, Shannon and Brent Flynt, Roanoke, Va.; son-in-law, Steve Butterworth; and grandchildren, Timothy and Sarah Cooper, Matthew Mitchell, Taylor and Morgan Flynt, Katherine, Marianne and Shannon Butterworth.

Funeral services will be held Friday, April 23, at 11 a.m., from the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home with the Rev. Dennis Duck officiating. Burial will be at Jackson Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday, April 22, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.