Mildred Lerlene Rowell Covington, age 97, passed away Monday, November 25, 2013, in Grand Junction, Colorado. She was born on October 12, 1916, to Sarah Elizabeth “Sallie” Combest Rowell and John Charles Rowell in Ted, Mississippi. Lerlene was the youngest child out of their four children.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, J.C. Covington; her parents; brother, James Valentine Rowell; sisters, Mary Damaris Rowell Fore and Barbara Ann “Bonnie” Rowell Blackwell; nephews, James Albert & C.M. Fore; nieces, Martha Fore and Mary Fore Carter Steinkuehler.
Lerlene is survived by her daughter, Mildred (Milly) Covington Garner and husband William Mark Garner; granddaughter, Teresa Suzanne (Suzie) Garner (all of Grand Junction, Colorado); nephews, J.D. and Evelyn Fore (Nacogdoches, TX), T.A. Fore (Pelion, South Carolina), M.R. and Nina Fore (Douglass, TX), J.C. and Joanne Rowell (Florida), Frances Rowell Gibbs (Mississippi), Mary Beth Hatten (Nacogdoches, TX); other nieces and nephews; and close friends, Rev. Karen Hurst, Martha May, and David Odelberg (all of Grand Junction, Colorado), and other close friends in Texas and Colorado.
She attended Nacogdoches High School and later Stephen F. Austin State College where she earned a Bachelor of Science in 1956 and a Masters of Education in 1958. After graduation she taught first grade at Raguet Elementary School. Lerlene played both the piano and organ at Perritte Memorial United Methodist Church for many years. She published several family genealogy books. After retirement she lived in Burleson, Texas, and Grand Junction, Colorado.
Funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on December 1, 2013, at Cason Monk-Metcalf Sunset Chapel, with Rev. Charles Danheim officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park in Nacogdoches, Texas.
Family and friends are invited to attend visitation from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday, November 30 2013, at Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, 5400 North Street, Nacogdoches, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be offered to Crossroads United Methodist Church, 599 30 Road, Grand Junction, Colorado 81504.
Online condolences may be offered at www.casonmonk-metcalf.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors.
