Floyd Herbert Cover Jr.

Floyd Herbert Cover, Jr. passed away on December 14th, 2020, at the age of 68 at University of TN Medical Center, in Knoxville, Tennessee, due to complications of Covid 19. But this isn’t the end of the song...

“I’d like to sing you a song of life…” sang the musician Herb Cover, not so very long ago, in a self-penned song that he had no way of knowing would hold such truth.

He was Christened Floyd Herbert Cover. However, this “Knoxville boy” was known to friends and family by many other names as well, a beloved man who wore many hats, so graciously: Herb, Herbie, Mr. Herb, Hurricane Herb, Herbe Coviciano, little brother, husband, Dad.

In his song Up That Road, Herb sings about the roads of life, reflecting the notion that a smooth, sunny road can take unexpected turns. That we may even follow ‘Love’ when it takes ‘the long way home.’

“Home” was McClung Street in South Knoxville, Tennessee, a road that, for Herb, turned into a circle. Herb was born on December 9, 1952 to Floyd and Sue Cover. He was the youngest of the four “Cover Kids” who would remain very close throughout their lives, though no one guessed that they would say goodbye to the ‘baby’ first. Everyone on McClung Street knew these four …the two tow-headed middle kids, Tommy & Nancy trailed by little Herbie, cowboy boots on the wrong feet, and their older sister Linda trying to help keep them in hand during endless play with neighborhood kids like Wes Wallen, Bobby and Rick Dukes, Sisty Crumbliss and life-long friend, Mary Maroney.

Herb added many close friends along his next roads, through Giffin Elementary, South High School and Shelby State Community College where he studied Science—all the while making music in one form or another; the South High Mixed Chorus, The Boys’ Octet, and several rock bands sharing the stage with life-long friends, Norman Adams and Roe Rainey.

Herb joined the Navy and served for 6 years as an Aerographer’s Mate with the ‘Hurricane Hunters’ Unit. During this time, he traversed many roads all over the world, always making friends, always singing songs.

Returning to his beloved mountains, Herb married his high school sweetheart, LeeAnn Bodenheimer, and the two had a son, Travis.

Throughout his life, Herb shared his gift of music in many ways. His sisters, brother, nieces and nephews recall fondly that nearly every family gathering culminated with Herb, set up, music before him, guitar in hands, entertaining his rapt audience.

Herb didn’t limit his music to family gatherings. He shared his love of song on many stages between Knoxville and Nashville, often uploading his songs to You-Tube. But never was his musical gift better used, than when he raised his voice in praise within the walls of his beloved church. He first touched the Knoxville communities of Emanuel Baptist and Meridian Baptist, with his music, his faith and his friendship. Later and until the end of his life, he served his Loving God as Music Minister at Riverdale Baptist Church. Though far too soon to end, it’s easy to see how Herb Cover’s life, so well lived, had come full circle, on a road not often easy. He and LeeAnn lived in the old Cover house on McClung Street.

Herb is survived by his wife LeeAnn (Bodenheimer) of 37 years, whom he cared for with utmost love and dedication after a life-threatening illness that left her disabled. He is also survived by his beloved son, Travis Cover & daughter-in-law, Mary Beth (Loposser), adoptive child, Valerie Nelan, Bradley Thompson, to whom Herb was Legal Guardian, sister Linda (Cover) Garner, of Lenoir City, sister Nancy (Cover) Irwin & brother-in-law David Irwin of Corryton, brother Tom Cover & sister-in-law Jennifer of Knoxville, and many beloved nieces and nephews. Herb will be missed by all, including his beloved church family, many many young people and students whose lives he touched, especially his special needs students at Dogwood Elementary.

Herb will be interred in a private service at The Knoxville Veteran’s Cemetery with his close family present. A large celebration of Herb’s life will be open to all and will take place as soon as it is safe to gather.

In lieu of flowers, the family is most grateful for donations made to aide his family in funeral expenses, medical expenses and on-going care for LeeAnn. The family is most grateful for Herb’s friend, Tiffany Griffith, for organizing this fund:

Go Fund Me

In Herb’s own words, “I’d like to sing you a song of hope, that someday soon, you’ll be amazed, how in a world that seems so strange, your life will turn out fine.”