Otis Covington

Mr. Covington was born in Gibson County, the Three Way Community, the son of the late Charlie and Pearl Nelson. He was adopted at age 8 by the late Raymond and Elvie Covington of Haywood County, the Holly Grove Community. He attended school in Haywood County and worked on the family farm and learned carpentry from his dad and granddad. He was married to Margaret Thomas of the same community in 1938 and they farmed. He continued building of barns and houses. In 1952 he moved his family to a farm in the Wilson School Community of Chester County where he farmed and continued building houses. Mr. Covington worked to rebuild many houses after the tornado in 1952. Mr. Covington built the “Famous” Green Barn on Steed Property on White Avenue. He donated the land and helped build the Antioch Baptist Church on Wilson School Road. In the early 60’s he moved to Galbraith Street in Henderson. He served as Deputy Sheriff, Auxiliary Police and the Rescue Squad for a number of years. He was a member of the First Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon for several years and was a member of the Henderson Masonic Lodge.



He is survived by a son, Nelson Covington and wife Debbie of Hendersonville; four daughters, Charlene Brown and husband Bill and Ellen Shanks and husband John all of Henderson; Paulette Smith and husband Rick of Hendersonville and Elizabeth Glaze and husband Roger of Decatur, AL; one brother Wilburn Nelson of Milan and ten grandchildren.



He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Thomas Covington in 1994; a brother, Henry Holland and also three sisters, Thelma Jane Topliff, Dorothy Allen and Elizabeth Murphy.