Edna Grace Godfrey Covington

Mrs. Edna Grace Godfrey Covington, 75, of 1619 North Main Street, Mount Airy, passed away Thursday, May 22, 2008, at her home. Mrs. Covington was born December 8, 1932, in Yadkin County, a daughter of the late Brady Warden and Lydia Mae Wooten Godfrey. Grace was reared on a rural family farm in Yadkin County and graduated from West Yadkin High School in 1950. She was a member of the high school's basketball team for several years. She continued her love of basketball throughout life as a devoted ACC basketball fan, especially the Duke Blue Devils. After graduating from high school, Grace earned her nursing degree from the Martin Memorial School of Nursing in 1953. She began her career at Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital in Elkin. After a short tenure in Elkin, Grace began her longtime career at Northern Hospital of Surry County. Grace worked as a registered nurse and nursing supervisor at Northern Hospital of Surry County for 40 years, retiring in 2000. Upon retirement, Grace continued caring for the community by working at the hospital part-time and being involved in other volunteer opportunities. She also cared for her aunt and provided total care for her mother. Grace was always considered professional, compassionate, and an inspiration to all who knew her. Mrs. Covington was a member of Fancy Gap Baptist Church. She is survived by her husband of 30 years, Willis Filmore Covington of the home; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Elizabeth "Libby" Hamlin of Mount Juliet, TN, Lynn and Bobby Martin of Mount Airy, and Wanda and Gary Byrd of Dobson; two stepsons and their spouses, Will and Lory Covington of Yalaha, FL, and Tim and Mary Grace Covington of Rockingham; two granddaughters, Cortney Ann Phillips and Jessica Grace Martin, both of Mount Airy; special nieces and nephews, Eric and Lynn Godfrey of Mount Airy, Bill and Sandy Godfrey and Darla Godfrey and "Ravon", all of Winston-Salem, and Jody and Paula Godfrey of Hamptonville; and special friends, Frank and Betty Marsh of Mount Airy. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Covington was preceded in death by a brother and sister-in-law, Joseph "Joe" and Shirley Cheek Godfrey. The funeral service will be held Sunday, May 25, 2008, at 2:00 PM at Fancy Gap Baptist Church. The service will be conducted by the Rev. Dwight Sechrist and the Rev. Rickey Martin, and burial will follow in the Shiloh Baptist Church Cemetery in Hamptonville. The family will receive friends Saturday from 7:00 until 9:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home in Mount Airy, where her body will remain until carried to the church to lie-in-state 30 minutes before the funeral service. Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions can be made to the Grace Covington Memorial Nursing Scholarship Fund, c/o Surry Community College Foundation, 630 South Main Street, Dobson, NC 27017. The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to their friends, family, and staff of Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care for the love, care, and support shown to Grace during her illness.