Gertrude Sheely Covin

LONGVIEW  — Gertrude Sheely Covin was born July 14, 1917, in Commerce, Texas, to Forrest N. and Elza Mayes Sheely. She received her early education in Commerce and graduated from East Texas University.
Mrs. Covin was preceded in death by her husband in 1991, after 56 years of marriage; her son, Dr. Jack Michael Covin in 1997; her parents, Forrest and Elza; sister, Mary Lynn May; and brother, Forrest L. Sheely.
Gertrude and Jack met while Jack was attending East Texas University. After she received her degree, she joined Jack where he was teaching at East Mountain High School. Mrs. Covin also taught school for two years at East Mountain. The joys of her life were her two sons, Dr. Jack Michael Covin and Forrest David Covin.
In 1946, the Covins moved from Tyler to Longview and joined First Baptist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Covin founded Machinery Supply and Grinding Company in 1949, where they worked together to build a successful company. They sold the business in 1969. A special joy was added to their lives as their first grandchild, David, was born on the same day as the sale of their company.
After retirement, the Covins had the pleasure of world travel. They visited the Orient over 20 times and, in fact, their friends accused them of being on the Hong Kong Tourist Bureau! Tude (as Gertrude was affectionally known by her grandchildren) had the pleasure of taking all four of her grandchildren to Hong Kong and Bangkok, Thailand. Mrs. Covin was a member of First Baptist Faith Sunday school class, Longview Women's Forum and the Longview Garden Club.
Mrs. Covin is survived by her son, Forrest David Covin and daughter-in-law, Toni Covin, of Dallas; grandchildren, David Covin and wife, Beth, of Princeton, New Jersey, Jonathan Covin and wife, Eun-Sang, of Dallas, Jon Michael Covin and wife, Laurel, of Wimberley, Texas and Brooke Covin Richards and husband, Newman, of Dallas, Texas. Tude was blessed with nine great-grandchildren, Reid, Sara and Jack Covin of Princeton, New Jersey, William, Christopher and Benjamin Covin of Dallas, Josiah and Raine Covin of Wimberly and Newman Richards of Dallas. Mrs. Covin is also survived by two nieces, Carole Baker of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Sara Jones of Commerce, Texas; and nephew, Tom May of Dallas, Texas.
Services will be 1 p.m. Friday, October 14, 2011, in the Garden Court of Welch Funeral Home, 4619 Judson Road, with the Rev. Dewayne Beaty officiating. Interment will be in Rosewood Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends beginning at noon Friday, October 14, 2011, at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.
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