Edward Lee Hovis

Edward Lee Hovis passed away on Friday, October 10th, 2025, in Lindale, Texas. He was born on June 23rd, 1942, in Lincolnton, North Carolina, to the late Leslie Conrad (L.C.) Hovis, Jr., and Pearl Elizabeth "Lib" Rudisill Hovis. Edward graduated from Lincolnton High School in 1962, and he loved to tell stories of his days on the football team. He proudly served his country through the Air Force and was discharged in 1967 as a staff sergeant after an overseas assignment in South Korea. He spent much of his career in electrical sales and was known for his incredible work ethic and dedication, enjoying a long retirement with his family after.
It was after returning to Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin at the end of his military career that he happenchance met his future wife, Nancy Gail Davis, at a party that they were both attending. As the story goes, his proposal was something like, "I'm heading back to North Carolina, are you staying or coming?" Well, she decided to go, and they were married in January of 1967. After a brief time in his hometown of Lincolnton, N.C., he moved her back to Texas, and they spent much of their 58 years of marriage in Round Rock, outside of Austin, where he enjoyed many years of season tickets to the Round Rock Express baseball games. But he always stayed proud of his North Carolinian roots.
Edward and Nancy settled near their daughter and her family in Hideaway, Texas, for his final years, where he enjoyed Friday night gin rummy, sipping coffee and eating sweets, camping at Inks Lake State Park, going to the beach, watching Nascar races and football, and making trips back to Round Rock to visit his son. He loved his children dearly and very much enjoyed being a Pops to his seven grandchildren, endlessly telling stories from his past.
Edward was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Larry Mac Hovis, his sister, Judy Griffin, and his niece, Cindy Ballard. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Hovis, and his two children, Leslie Hovis and wife, Elizabeth, and daughter, Kimberly Thorn, and husband, Brent. He is also survived by his grandchildren: granddaughter, Emily Hovis-DeMello and husband, Daniel Demello; grandsons, Luke Hovis, Jacob Thorn, Lance Hovis, and Parker Thorn; granddaughters Alaina Thorn and Bailey Thorn; and great-granddaughter, Fiora DeMello.
The family will have a private graveside locally and a celebration of life with extended family in the Austin area over the Thanksgiving break.