Edward Royals Covington passed away at his home on October 21, 2021 after an extended illness.
Ed was born January 6, 1925 to parents Howard and Lolah Lillian Lucius Covington in Meridian, Mississippi.
He is predeceased by his brother, James Andrew Covington, and sister Katherine Covington Lyles.
He is survived by wife, Janet Ferguson Covington, son, James Edward Covington, and his wife, Jean, and son, Andrew Royals Covington, one grandson Edward Coates Covington and his wife Elizabeth, great-grandchildren Luke Andrew and Campbell Elizabeth, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Services to celebrate Ed’s life will be held at 1 pm on the afternoon of Tuesday, October 26, 2021 at First Presbyterian Church of Hendersonville with Michael Davis officiating. Entombment will follow with military honors at Hendersonville Memory Gardens. Visitation will be held from 4-8 pm on the afternoon of Monday, October 25, 2021 at Hendersonville Funeral Home.
Ed entered WWII when he was 18 and served in the United States Army Air Corp as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was a Navigator on a B-17 based in Rattlesden, England, and flew 13 combat missions, sustaining an injury from flak that hit the side of his flak helmet and traveled down his neck for which he received a Purple Heart.
After the war was over, he attended Emory University completing his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry. He spent 15 years in Industrial Research and Development for DuPont, Ethyl Corporation, and Southern Research Institute and was awarded 8 patents at DuPont for film coatings and processes he developed or co-developed. In 1969 he found his true calling when he became a college professor.
For 27 years he enjoyed teaching chemistry to a full spectrum of students until his retirement in 1998. One of his favorite past times was gardening, and he was renowned for the beautiful tomatoes, peppers, turnip, and mustard greens he could produce.
He loved watching Alabama football and found great joy in delivering Homebound meals, teaching Sunday School, and participating in the worship and programs at First Presbyterian Church in Hendersonville where he was designated an Elder Emeritus in 2020. He was a man of great faith and inspired many as he faced multiple health challenges during 2021. He will be forever deeply missed by his family and friends.
In lieu of floral tributes, the family has requested that donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Hendersonville Pay It Forward Fund.
