Zelda Thompson Covey

Zelda Thompson Covey, a long-time resident of Vestavia Hills, Alabama, passed away on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at the age of 98. Zelda was born at the old St. Vincent's Hospital on August 8, 1926. She was the only child of William Thomas Thompson and Zola Marie (Wesley) Thompson of Birmingham, AL.

Zelda received her high school diploma in 1944 at Phillips High School. Zelda furthered her education at Birmingham Southern College where she participated in many on-campus organizations, particularly fond of her Alpha Omicron Pi sorority membership. She completed her graduate studies in 1947 at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Zelda practiced her vocation as a registered dietician for over forty years in places such as Johns Hopkins University Medical Center in Baltimore, MD, and facilities in Montgomery and Birmingham, AL. During her career, she received several honors and recognitions of her work performance, and served as a past president of the Alabama Dietetics Association. Zelda was working at the VA Hospital on the UAB campus when she retired.

While both attended the University of Alabama, Zelda met fellow student, Earl Robert Covey, whose hometown was Wilmington, Vermont. They were married on September 26, 1953 at McCoy Methodist Church in Birmingham, and remained together for 53 years until his death in 2007. They had no children.

Zelda and Earl were members of Southminster Presbyterian Church in Vestavia Hills. During their years in Birmingham, they lived in the Mission Hills area of Vestavia Hills before moving to Town Village in 2004. After her husband's death in 2007, Zelda remained at Town Village until her health began to decline. She became a patient at Danberry Memory Care, and then moved to the skilled nursing facility Aspire at Cahaba River until her death.

In her leisure time, Zelda was an avid supporter of many local fine arts performances and events and participated in local organizations, such as "The Seasoned Performers" and "Hilltoppers." She enjoyed traveling with her husband within the United States and around the world, including countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa. She was a voracious reader, enjoyed eating out, and visiting with family and friends.

Zelda was preceded in death by her parents, William and Zola Thompson, and her husband, Earl Robert Covey. She is survived by her cousin, John Kevin (Lynn) Raybon of Atmore, AL, and a special friend and work colleague, Connie Prather of Hoover, AL.

The family would like to acknowledge the following entities who assisted in caring for Zelda in the years prior to her death:

Ruthann Betz-Essenger, professional organizer at justorganized.com

Lipford Home Care, LipfordHomeCare.com

Danberry Memory Care at Inverness

Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Shelby County, https://encompasshealth.com

A Place For Mom, aplaceformom.com

Aspire Physical Recovery Center at Cahaba River

Dr. George Bishop, Wound Care Center, Grandview Medical Center, [email protected]

Family Private Care Alabama, LLC

ExpectCare Hospice, expectcare.com

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 pm Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham, AL. A private burial will be held at the Southern Heritage Cemetery prior to the Celebration of Life. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to your favorite charity in Zelda's memory.