Ray Covington

Jessie Ray Covington, cherished husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend, passed away on Aug. 2, 2024. Ray was born Aug. 16, 1940 in a log cabin to George Wade and Katie Lillian (Nolley) Covington, both of whom welcomed him into Heaven along with sisters, Pauline Owens, Sarah Liles, as well as an infant sister, Mary Nell Covington. Ray was born and raised in Alto, Texas on a farm where he learned how to work hard but also learned to hunt and fish. He once caught an alligator in the Angelina River. He graduated from Alto High School in 1959 where he played basketball and was a member of FFA. After high school he moved to Dallas where he met the love of his life, Donna Rumbo, through a mutual friend. Ray and Donna were married on June 29, 1963 at Gaston Avenue Baptist Church. Ray began his 31 year career working as a bookkeeper with Baylor College of Dentistry where he was promoted to accountant, controller, CFO and vice president. He enjoyed painting houses as a second job. In June of 1974, Ray and Donna moved their young family to Terrell, Texas where they joined First Baptist Church. At church, Ray immediately became active in several ministries, committees, outreaches, and served as a deacon over the years. After retirement Ray continued working for 19 more years at the Baylor Oral Health Foundation while at the same time traveling the globe with his lovely wife and friends. His quiet temperament was the first thing people noticed about him. Ray was also an avid gardener and loved planting in his yard as well as at his farm. His close friend Tom Sullivan was always by his side working at the farm or hunting and fishing. Ray’s neighbors and family were the recipients of the bounty of his vegetables each summer providing “tomatoes for all!” His smile and his ever-present willingness to help will always be hallmarks of Ray’s legacy that his family will be proud to carry on into future generations. Ray is survived by his wife, Donna Covington; daughter and son-in-law, Renee and Roy Henry; daughter, Dana Covington; grandchildren: Carsen Henry and wife, Lauren, Marisa Henry, Katie Thornton, and Andrew Thornton; brother, George Covington and wife, Patsy as well as several cherished nieces, nephews, extended family, church family, coworkers and countless friends, each of whom will greatly miss him. Funeral service will be at 10:00am, Saturday, Aug 10, 2024 at First Baptist Church in Terrell with interment to be at 2:30pm at Old Palestine Cemetery in Alto, Texas. His family will receive friends beginning at 5:00pm to 7:00pm, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024 at Max Slayton Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers, Ray’s family is asking that memorials be made to the FBC Bereavement Committee at http://www.fbcterrell.org/give or Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children at https://scottishriteforchildren.org/get-involved

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Ray Covington

August 16, 1940 - August 2, 2024