Edward Wilson Covington III

Sandy was born on August 23, 1946, in Hampton, VA, a place he proudly called home for nearly 80 years. The foundation of his life-long relationship with Christ Jesus was laid in his youth at Wythe Parkway Baptist Church, where he made his profession of faith, was baptized, and met Jenny, the love of his life and future wife.

Throughout his life, Sandy remained devoted to his faith, worshiping at Ivy Memorial Baptist Church and Liberty Baptist Church before becoming a member of Grace Baptist Chapel, where he faithfully attended and worshiped in recent years.

Sandy graduated from Hampton High School in 1964 and soon after entered NASA’s apprenticeship program, following in the footsteps of both his father and father-in-law. During a distinguished 40-year career at NASA, he worked in Quality Assurance, specializing in electron microscope analysis and precision measurement. His expertise contributed to numerous aerospace programs, including the Apollo and Space Shuttle missions, as well as the testing and evaluation of scale models used in wind tunnel research. In 2007, Sandy retired from NASA to lovingly care for his beloved wife, Jenny.

Family and friends were the center of Sandy’s life. He loved them fiercely and treasured every moment spent with those he held dear, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Known for his loyalty, kindness, generosity, and gentle spirit, Sandy was always ready to stand up for those he loved. Whether through a warm smile, hearty laugh, quick joke, or his trademark eye twitch, he had a unique way of bringing joy to those around him.

Sandy enjoyed many activities over the years, including volleyball and years of playing softball on church and NASA teams. Yet above all else, he was known for his lifelong passion for casting and fishing. The beach was his second home, and the highlight of every year was his annual fall fishing trip with his “fishing buddies” who were like brothers to him.

Sandy was preceded in death by his cherished wife Jenny Lou Covington; beloved parents, Edward and Charlotte Covington; sister, Charlotte A. Covington; his in-laws, John and Rebecca Hudson; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jack and Joyce Hudson; and his grandson, Hunter Gray.

He is survived by his son, Jeffrey Covington and wife, Heatherly; daughter Kristi C. Gray and husband Kevin; grandchildren Kyler and Keagan and their mother Marci, Samuel, Ben, and Jacob; great-grandchildren Rowan, Zariya, and Jax; sister Susan C. Mancil and husband, Charles, their sons Dale and Drake; brother-in-law Judson B. Hudson and wife Mary; his fishing buddies Carl, Mark, and Kenny; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Weisman for the many years of compassionate care he provided to Sandy, including the kindness and devotion he showed by visiting him at home during his final days.

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to the Celebration of Sandy’s life on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at Grace Baptist Chapel, 805 Todds Lane, Hampton, beginning with visitation at 12:30 pm followed by the service at 1:00 pm. The interment will take place on Monday, July 13, 2026, at Parklawn Memorial Park at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Breakthrough T1D, an organization searching for a cure for Type 1 Diabetes, or to Grace Baptist Chapel. Friends are encouraged to visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and words of encouragement to the family. Arrangements are under the care of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Ave., Hampton.