Ralph Edmond Covington

Ralph Edmond Covington, 82, of Carnesville passed away at home on April 21, 2010 with his family by his side. He was born on March 28, 1928 in Jefferson. A native of Jackson County, Mr. Covington was the youngest of nine children born to the Late Lee Wesley and Beulah Estelle Adams Covington. He joined the Army and received an Honorable Discharge in October, 1956. 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 Jeanette Lee, The Black Widow. However, 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 faith. 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 in Atlanta. Ralph enjoyed the wonderful life he shared with his wife, children, and grandchildren.

In addition to his loving wife 52 years, Sarah Beck Covington, he is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Felicia and Tim Cooper of Newnan, Melicia and Scot Mitchell of McDonough, Shannon and Brent Flynt of Roanoke, Virginia; son-in-law, Steve Butterworth; and grandchildren, Timothy and Sarah Cooper, Matthew Mitchell, Taylor and Morgan Flynt, Katherine, Marianne and Shannon Butterworth. He was preceded in death by daughter, Patsy Covington Butterworth.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 22an from 5:00 â