Horace Covington

Horace Covington, a resident of Britthaven of Morganton, died on March 7, 2006 at Grace Hospital due to complications from pneumonia. Mr. Covington was born October 20, 1920 in Polkville, NC. His father, William Horace Covington, Sr., owned a general store in Polkville, raised cattle, and was a Mason. His mother, Dorcas Harrelson Covington, taught fourth grade, ran the family store, and was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Covington’s parents were members of Polkville Methodist Church.

After serving in the Army during World War II, Mr. Covington graduated from Duke University in 1949 with a degree in business and became a certified public accountant. He began his career as an auditor for the N.C. Department of Revenue and worked for the accounting firm of Ernst and Ernst in Winston-Salem.

In 1951 Mr. Covington married Mildred Catherine Patton of Glen Alpine, and in 1960 the couple relocated from Winston-Salem to Morganton and opened an accounting firm together. The Covingtons were members of Morganton First United Methodist Church. Mr. Covington was a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Lions Club of Morganton, the North Carolina Masonic Lodge, and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

In 1989 Mr. Covington married Burnett Beam of Polkville, who died in 1999. Surviving are two sons, Robert Hugh Covington of Morganton and William Thomas Covington and his wife, Mary Custis, of Asheville.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, March 9, 2006, in the Aldersgate Chapel of First United Methodist Church in Morganton with Rev. Carl Lindquist officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the Bowers Room. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.