Joy Lean Covington

Joy Lean Covington, age 87, a 63-year resident of Wynne, Arkansas, died on Thursday, December 14, 2017, in Springdale, Arkansas. She was born on January 6, 1930, near Sumpter, Arkansas, the daughter of Howard Freddie Jones and Obelia Beasley Jones. Joy grew up and worked in Warren, Arkansas, and in 1950, she married her husband, Dr. Leslie Hughes “Doc” Covington, Sr. After living in Little Rock, in 1952, they moved to Wynne for his work with the Soil Conservation Service, and she worked at Manning Drug Store. Starting in 1960, remaining in Wynne, she supported her husband’s return to college at the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry, where he graduated in 1964. For most of the 38 years Dr. Covington practiced Dentistry in Wynne, Joy was the Office Manager for his practice, and was instrumental in serving their patients. She was a long-time member of the Wynne Baptist Church where she was active with her Sunday School class and supported youth group activities during her sons’ teenage years. She attended and enjoyed all her sons’ athletic games and other school activities, believing that football keeps boys busy, tired and out of trouble. She loved great food, Sunday lunch at Kelly’s with her friends, nice restaurants in Memphis and Little Rock, Razorback football and basketball games, musical theatre, and group trips with her husband and friends. Joy was a strong advocate for college education and most proud that she and Dr. Covington were able to fully fund their four sons’ college education. She was known for her hospitality, especially to her sons’ friends, and hosted a great Christmas Eve party every year for the entire crew. Two of her favorite sayings sum up her life: “Smile and the world will smile back at you”, “You have a choice in life to be happy or sad, happy is a lot more fun!” She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, sister, Retha Marlene Williams, brother, Kenneth Alton “Buster” Jones, and niece, Ruth Ann Racely. Joy is survived by her four sons, Dr. Kenneth Hughes (Laura Victoria) Covington of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, Leslie Jones (Shona Joy) Covington of Cherokee Village, Arkansas, Josie Lee (Heather Hunnicutt) Covington II of McLean, Virginia, and Leslie Hughes (Laura Lea) Covington, Jr. of Fayetteville, Arkansas; seven grandchildren, Joseph Griggs (Kimberly) Covington of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Kenneth Cash (Meredith Ann) Covington of Kirkwood, Missouri, Joy Victoria Covington, Katherine Joy Covington, Kendall Faith Covington, Abigail Elizabeth Covington, Ella Claire Covington and Leslie Hughes Covington, III; five great grandchildren, EmMarie Victoria Covington, Joseph Malachi Covington, Vivian Kay Covington, Henry Cash Covington and Norah Ann Covington; nieces and nephews, Joe “Butch” Williams, Joan Jennings, Frances Jean Caldwell, and Jim Williams, and other nephews and nieces. Joy’s life will be celebrated during a service on Wednesday, December 20, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at Cogbill Cemetery in Wynne, Arkansas. Kernodle Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements, (870)-238-2323, www.kernodlefh.com In lieu of flowers, donations in Joy’s honor can be made to the Yellowjacket Foundation--Dr. Leslie and Joy Covington Scholarship Fund, which will provide college scholarships to graduates of Wynne High School. Donations can be mailed to Sharon H. Lawson, Treasurer, Yellowjacket Foundation, 2003 Airpark Rd, Wynne, AR, 72396.

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Joy Lean Covington

January 6, 1930 - December 14, 2017