Eulogy Part 5:

Dad told me recently that he and Mom had lived all their dreams and had done and seen everything they wanted to in this life.  Dad was ready to go knowing Mom would be taken care of.  He was ready to go knowing he was right with God.  I will miss my Dad every day until we meet again in heaven.  I cherish the time I had with him and wish that I had the maturity earlier in life to see his virtues more clearly.  It is a sad commentary on our culture that we so often focus on the faults of others and not on their virtues.  I am today proud to say that I am my father’s son.   Thank you for a wonderful life of adventure, Dad.

Eulogy Part 4:

Mom and Dad also liked to fish and did so often.  Dad always had a boat and taught us kids and grandkids how to fish.  Early on, these were used boats and I remember them breaking down a lot and us having to paddle or be towed in.  But we still went back next opportunity!  We spent many a summer and fall fishing at Grand Isle. I remember one time, Dad and I were fishing in the marsh and didn’t realize how fast the tide was going out.  We ended up stranded and had to push the boat over 100 yards through mud to get it afloat again.  And did I say that it was October and 40 degrees?  I was sunk up to my hips in mud trying to push and dad was pulling the tow rope and alternately cursing when he slipped and laughing when I slipped.  I thought we’d never make it, but he kept me going until we did. 

Dad was a privately faithful man. He made sure we went to Mass and attended with us without fail.  He taught me that faith isn’t about knowledge and many words, it’s about doing the will of our Father and serving others.  He showed his faith by helping those around him.  He made friends with anyone of any race or creed in a time when this wasn’t the norm, and was always willing to lend a helping hand.  

As he got older, he slowly had to let go of the things he enjoyed.  He couldn’t work or build things once he became disabled.  He fell getting out of the boat and tore his shoulder up so he couldn’t handle a rod and reel anymore.  He fell and scalped himself unhooking the Durango from the motor home, which helped him realize he could no longer handle the RV life safely.  And he had to give up his dream home in the country as his health declined and he needed quicker response time in emergencies.  Throughout all this, Dad set another example to us about how to let go gracefully when the time comes.  He humbly accepted the limitations of age and health and even looked forward to the next adventure God had in store for him and Mom.

Eulogy Part 3:
I will never forget how he would go volunteer at Mom’s school to help insure maintenance was done and supplies organized to help her be a success as a school principal.  He’d then go home and cook her meals and have a hot bath waiting on her when she got home.  He was retired on disability but this didn’t stop him from wanting to help ease Mom’s burden.  He taught me that if I saw something that needed doing, I should do it even if it wasn’t “my job”.  There was no 50/50 in their relationship.  Both have always given 100%.  And he faithfully served those he loved and made sure we had the best he could offer.  

Dad and Mom enjoyed spending time with and traveling with their children and grandchildren.  He bought a Dodge Sportsman van with bench seats and built a plywood frame to hold a double bed in the back.  My brother and I slept under the bed and Rachel slept on the remaining bench seats.  That’s how we started traveling.  I still think back to how a family of 5 found that remotely comfortable!

And Dad was always having to save the day.  I remember once he was sleeping in the back of the van after driving for hours.  We came upon a black bear and jumped out of the van to go take pictures.  Dad woke up to the van rolling down a mountain and us not in it.  We had left it in neutral!  He was there to help when we hurt ourselves and finding solutions to problems.  You could always count on Dad to fix anything.

Over the years, as we continued to travel, Dad upgraded the sleeping quarters to a pop up camper and then a used bumper pull trailer.  We traveled to most every state and most of Canada.  I remember cod fishing off Prince Edward Island and eating fresh cod over a campfire.  Dad also began traveling with my kids and took them most every summer on RVing adventures.  Mom and Dad traveled so much and made so many y memories, I coudn’t begin to share them all.

Eulogy Part 2:
As a child, I didn’t understand a lot of this and comparing myself to my friends, I thought we were poor and as kids, worked way more than they did.  What I didn’t realize is, we were eating organic before it was cool.  We were learning to be self-sufficient and frugal.  We were learning to have a strong work ethic.  We had horses and ATV’s and the hunting camp was in our back yard.  We weren’t poor.  Dad and Mom just spent their money on the things that really mattered.  They taught us that you needed to work and save for the things that mattered and not waste it on the desires of the moment that don’t really matter.  We traveled all across this country from my earliest memories and we had more experiences than most of my friends.  We went fishing with family several times a year.  He taught all of us children and grandchildren how to fish and enjoy travel and nature.  And I witnessed him take care of his mother, even when it was difficult.

Dad taught me how to hunt, clean fish and wild game, work on cars, take care of home maintenance, build sheds and fences, and most everything else I know how to do.  He taught me that you can do almost anything if you put your mind to it, are willing to learn from others and work smart.  Dad was a great cook.  I will miss his deviled eggs and the best homemade pizza this side of heaven.  He was also Mom’s sous-chef and dishwasher.  Dad was humble, preferring to work in the background, doing the tasks that needed doing to make every thing from meals to school plays to trips across the country possible and others look good and be successful.   But most of all, he taught me what it meant to be a husband and father.  He wasn’t perfect and had his faults.  I can see many of them in myself.  But Dad also taught me that there is no job too big or small that we should not do, especially if it eases the burden of those we love.

Eulogy Part 1:
I want to thank Father Jason for his wonderful words and for visiting my Dad twice to provide him his final sacraments.  It gives me peace and joy to know that Dad has gone to be with our Lord and Savior.  For those of us who have borne witness to the crosses of pain and disability he has borne for so long, we are grateful that he has received the ultimate healing and is no longer in pain.

My Dad was always a “do-er” and he took joy and satisfaction in work.  He talked of his childhood and the obstacles he had to overcome in his youth.  He told us of how he worked a paper route and other jobs from a very young age.  Even with these added responsibilities, he still found time to run track and edit the school newspaper.  He and Mom met at the age of 11 and they were high school sweethearts.  He told us kids that he vowed when he first met her he would marry her one day.  Dad knew what he wanted and he worked to make it happen.  He joined the United States Army Reserves and then he married Mom. They moved into my great-grandfather’s farm house while they designed and built their dream home.  Dad took pride in building things with his own hands.  Dad cleared the land himself and even broke his leg in the process.  He and mom were true homesteaders.  Dad taught us that everything in life worth having is worth working and sacrificing for. We lived out in Pride and visiting family, getting to school, the store, and even mass were long trips.  Our nearest neighbors with kids were a mile or 2 away.  We wore hand-me-downs, had chores that included housework, cutting firewood and bushhogging.  We had a garden and had to pick and shell everything from pecans to pole beans.  We grew or hunted and fished for much of what we ate and we rarely ate out.

Sammy began each day with prayer to God, even when challenges slowed him down. He let nothing deter him as he and Diane lived each day to the fullest, working, raising their 3 wonderful children, and serving the community through their Church. Together they traveled far and wide keeping up with family and friends, welcoming all to their country home or family fishing trips to Grand Isle. When their days of touring the country in their motor home we’re no longer possible, they did not quit…they tried their hands at handicap cruises…making the best of navigating a ship on walkers…and Always closing each day with gratitude to God for the Blessings of the day! May God continue to Bless Diane and family with the light of HIS Eternal Love.

Pawpaw, I want to thank you so much for everything you’ve done in just the short amount of time I’ve known you. You have been such a blessing to our family, especially to my children, your great grandchildren!  You have taught Dustin so much while he was growing up, as well. Things that he will point out to me from time to time and say, “My pawpaw Sammy taught me that when I was a little kid, and I’ve never forgotten it and never will”!  I’ve been told that you love your family more than anything on this Earth and I recognized that trait in you from the very moment that I met you!  So, again, thank you so so much for everything in this life and for spreading Gods greatest gift to us……..LOVE!!!!!  You are missed tremendously already!

Sammy,
You have been the love of my life, but long before that you were my best friend, my confidant, and my rock upon which I depended day and night.  Our life’s journey began when we were 11 years old, so for 67 years as friends and 58 years as a married couple, you have been God’s greatest gift to me.  Sometimes our journey has been rocky, but for the most part, it has been smooth sailing.  You have given me 3 beautiful children whom I adore.  Whenever I would holler “Oh, Sam”, you would always come to my rescue and get me out of whatever trouble I had gotten myself into.  What will I do now!!  Life with you has been good. I have so much to thank you for:  our country life together, our many fishing trips to Grand Isle and Fourchon, our 25 years of RVing throughout North America, the 40 countries we have visited, and most of all the wonderful family times we have shared with our children, our 4 grandchildren, and our 2 great grandchildren.  I have led a privileged life thanks to your hard work and dedication to me, our family, and to our Lord Jesus Christ.  My prayer is that you will continue to be in His loving arms.  So, in the words of the song that we both loved: “Love Me” by Collin Raye: “If you get there before I do, don’t give up on me.  I’ll meet you when my chores are through.  I don’t know how long I’ll be.  But I’m not gonna let you down.  Darling wait and see.  And between now and then, ‘til I see you again,  I’ll be loving you.  Love me.”

Pawpaw.....where to even start?!?!?
THANK YOU!!!  Thank you for the lessons, the love, and the memories!!  You taught your children how to love to the point that one of them took me in as his son, as if I was born directly into the family.  I was blessed to grow up right next door to my grandparents and was able to watch and learn as you and Jason tackled the day to day life of country living. Many of the things I learned I still implement in my life today, and are teaching to my own children. Whether it's fishing or doing chores, you taught me to pay close attention to the smallest of details!!  That lesson alone has saved my life on the battlefield of Iraq and on the battlefield of life itself.  The phrase "thank you" doesn't even come close to explaining the gratitude that I'm trying to express. But since that's all I have to work with, then THANK YOU for all that you've shown me and taught me in this life!!  You will truly be missed!!  Save us a spot up there and find us the best fishing holes!!  We love you......"Just so you know"!!!!

Our condolences to Ms. Diane and the Covington family. Mr. Sammy, as we call him, was always such a kind, giving,  and gracious man. Rest assured he has many many treasures stored up in Heaven. 

In the early years of my children's and Dustin's lives he and Ms. Diane included us in countless family activities and adventures that made memories for life time. He always made us laugh with his stories and humor. 

I know your faith will help comfort you all in your loss. God bless the Covington family.

Diane Covington was my math grade teacher and Beta Club Sponsor at Chaneyville High School. She would take us on School field trips and Sammy would go with us.  They were a blessing to us from 1977 to 1980. Love them so very much.  Sammy remembered me when I visited them in 2016.. Sammy showed me the letter I wrote Diane before graduating High School in 1980. Diane was a tremendous blessing  to her students and Mr. Sammy was a great blessing too supporting Diane and her students.  May God's love shine on this family.  Love you Diane and thank you and Mr. Sammy for your love for us. Sheila Washington Chopin

During our R V years we shared many hours with Sammy and Diane travelling and at their home.  Sammy will be missed may he RIP ❤️

Thank you sir for welcoming me into your family as your son-in-law and for letting me be a part of Rachel’s life.  God bless and I’ll see you on the other side.

OBITUARY

Sammy Felix Covington

October 7, 1946 – August 26, 2025

Greenoaks Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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