John Ellis Covington

John Ellis Covington, 80, died Sunday, April 13, 2008 at his home. 

Funeral services will be held in the Sanctuary of Crystal Springs United Methodist Church, Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 11:00 a.m.  Graveside services will be at 2:00 p.m. at Lakewood Memorial Park in Jackson. Stringer Family Funeral Services in Crystal Springs is handling arrangements.

Mr. Covington  was born July 28, 1927 in Belzoni.  He is preceded in death by his parents Harold Ellis and Loreen McCaleb Covington. After attending  Millsaps College and Mississippi State University John joined the family business, Mississippi Cottonseed Products Company.  This family business grew to include cottonseed oil mills all over Mississippi with two subsidiaries in Missouri. He retired after devoting 35 years to this family business.  He then moved to Crystal Springs and became the branch manager for Copiah Bank there.  John served on the Board of Directors of Copiah Bank for 38 years, which was founded by his great-grandfather as the Bank of Hazlehurst. Mr. Covington served his country in the United States Coast Guard during World War II. He was an active member of the Crystal Springs United Methodist Church which he dearly loved.  He  served as chairman of finance there for many years. He was also an active member of the Crystal Springs Lions’ Club and treasurer of the Copiah County Republican Party.

Survivors include: his wife of 56 years, MaryAnn Ponder Covington of Crystal Springs; daughters, Eleanor Ray and husband Mike of Charleston, Carolyn Loftin and husband James of Winter Springs, FL; sister, Carolyn Covington Branton of Memphis; grandchildren, Michael Ray, Kate Buchanan and husband John, John Ellis Ray, Ashley Gilland and husband Doug, Jonathan Loftin, Mary Eleanor Loftin; and two great-grandchildren, George Ellis Gilland and Mary McCaleb Ragan Gilland. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Crystal Springs United Methodist Church for the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ.