LEWES - Mary K. Covington, of Simpsonville, S.C., went home to be with her Lord and Savior on June 20, 2012. She died peacefully at her daughter's home, with whom she lived, surrounded by her loving family. Life verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:18. In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. She was an operator at Bell Telephone Company and worked in retail at Fox's Department Store in Lewes, Del. for several years. She spent many years rearing her family and caring for her husband. She was a gifted artist and musician. She played the piano and organ at church. She also loved singing in the church choir. Mary taught Sunday school, Pioneer Girls, Awana and Bible School at The First Baptist Church in Lewes. She was also the House Mother at Beebe School of Nursing in Lewes, for several years. She attended Hampton Park Baptist Church in Greenville, S.C., and Calvary Baptist Church in Simpsonville, S.C. Several summers she enjoyed traveling abroad, doing mission work in Israel and the Caribbean. The daughter of the late L.H. and Grace Collison of Marydel, Del., Mary was preceded in death by her loving husband of 46 years, Robert H. Covington; daughter, Elizabeth Ann Covington; and sister, Ruth Keck Witt. She is survived by her brother, Andrew Collison and his wife, Pat, of Asbury, W.V.; her three daughters, Bethanne C. Mabbitt and her husband, Shayne, of Simpsonville, S.C., Bobette C. Thompson and her husband, Tom, of Newark, Del., and Mary Beth Lewis and her husband, Tom, of Wilmington, Del.; her grandchildren, Ethan, Michaela, Gabrielle, and Seth Mabbitt of Simpsonville, S.C., Mary-Lynne Stone and husband, Trevor, of Sandusky, MI., Debbie Thompson of Newark, Del., Kelly Simpson and her husband, Carl, of Hartly, Katie Shenk and her husband, Josh, of Lancaster, Pa.; step-grandchildren, Josh and Jeremy Lewis and Sarah O'Reilly of St. Augustine, Fla.; nine great-grandchildren; and two nephews; and two nieces. Special thanks to Heartland Hospice, who showed compassion and support during this difficult time. Friends and family are invited to attend the viewing at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 24, 2012, at Pippin Funeral Home, 119 West Camden-Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming, with service at 2 p.m. Burial to follow at Barratt's Chapel Cemetery, Frederica. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Memorial Contributions HeartLand Hospice, 421 SE Main, St, Suite 100, Simpsonville, S.C. 29681.