Joy Covington Livingston was born on October 5, 1931, and went to meet her heavenly father on July 7, 2020.  She was 88 years old.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, July 9, 2020, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.  Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 10, 2020, at Watson & Sons Chapel with Bro. Keith Keele and Bro. Bobby Bressman officiating.  Interment will follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Center.

She was born to Elva and Van Hughes of the Arcadia Community.  She was the highest ranking girl in her graduating class at Timpson High School and was a graduate of Nacogdoches Business College.  She took her first job at Mize Clothing Factory in Nacogdoches.

Joy married John Covington in 1952 and soon began to work in the family business, Covington Lumber Company.  The business was her passion and she operated it well into her 80’s.  She once retired for 3 days and quickly decided that retirement was not for her and promptly went back to business as usual.

She was a longtime member of the Preceptor Epsilon Chapter of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.  She was a past member of the Music Study Club, Investment Club, Optimist Club, Chamber of Commerce, Shelby County Outreach, and President of Meals on Wheels.  Another one of her passions was gospel music and she was a regular member of the Sunday Singing Convention.
Joy was a member of First Baptist Church and dearly loved her ladies Sunday School Class.  Her love for the Lord was evident.  She was devoted to God, her church, her family, and her community.

She and John had three children – Jennifer, Johny, and Jason.  She loved the letter “J” and also strongly insisted that all her grandchildren be named with “J’s”.  Her sister-in-law and cousin also did the same, so it was definitely a “J” family.  John passed away in 1998 and she later married Deloyd Livingston.  He passed away in 2013.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Van and Elva Hughes; her brother, Frank Madison Hughes; her husband, John Covington; husband, Deloyd Livingston; and her son, Jason Covington.

She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Golden of Cypress; son, Johny Covington and wife Tammie of Center; daughter-in-law, Michelle Covington-Richards; her grandchildren, Jana Keele and husband Ryan, Joel Covington and wife Casey, Justin Golden and wife Chloe, Joanna Decker and husband Shane, Jacob Covington, Jaxon Covington, and Jace Covington; and great grandsons, Ross Keele and Beau Golden.

She is also survived by her three nephews, Bart, Brent, and Barry Hughes; her cousin, Sue Nell Jernigan who was like a sister to her; her “always” adopted sister, Melba Williams; and many other cousins and friends.

We would like to thank Affinity Hospice and Vicky Sneed and her team for all their kindness and care for our mother.  A special thanks to Rebecca Stokes for your love and care for mom.
Pallbearers will be Joel Covington, Ryan Keele, Jacob Covington, Jaxon Covington, Jace Covington, Justin Golden, Shane Decker, Beau Golden, and Ross Keele.  Honorary pallbearers will be Billy Bob McAdams, Robert Mooney Sr., Matt Boren, “Pug” Hughes, Ray Jones, Jesus Espino, Efren Espino, Isiac Rameriz, and Jack Christian.

Memorial donations can be made to Shelby County Outreach Ministries.
Online condolences & tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfuneralhome.com