Either B. Covington

To watch the Livestream of Mrs. Covington's Service, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/Mills-Funeral-Home-and-Memorial-Garden-125918957479938/ Mrs. Either Mae Bryant Covington, daughter of Monita Hankins Bryant and James Willie Bryant, was born in Supply, North Carolina on June 8, 1927 and as God set her destiny in motion as a proud descendant of maternal grandparents, William and Sarah Hankins and paternal grandparents, Miles and Orilla Gore Bryant, she became the baby sister to two brothers, Herman and Ottice; and five sisters, Orilla, Rhoda, Madelyn, Lennie and Phiedy. Either received her early education in the school systems of Supply and Southport, NC where she naturally excelled and graduated with honors. After graduation, she moved to Jacksonville, Florida, living in her sister Orilla’s rented room to save money for college. She soon acquired employment as an elevator operator along with domestic jobs. Accepted into North Carolina Central University, she graduated, Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Education. She loved to tell about Dr. James E. Shepard, founding President of NCCU, and how he hid in the bushes to surprise students who were not acting like dignified college students. Either, loved learning and completed Masters Training in Library Science from NCCU and East Carolina University. While a student at NCCU, Either was initiated into the Alpha Chi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. One of her proudest moments was being initiated into the Golden Eagles Alumni of NCCU and she would wear that gold cap and gown as often as she could. Also, while a student at NCCU, her beauty soon caught the eye of James Robert Covington, a handsome tall young man who became the love of her life. She married James Robert Covington, Sr. on Christmas Day and he shipped out to honorably serve his country in the Korean War right after the wedding. He affectionately called her “Either B” and preceded her in death. She started her teaching career in Pollocksville, NC, taught at H.B. Sugg High School in Farmville, NC and later joined the teaching staff at Dobbs Farm State School for Girls in Kinston, NC. Mrs. Covington enjoyed teaching typing and business education as her typing speed and skills were beyond exceptional. She later became the Librarian for the school and subsequently retired from the school. Soon after moving to Kinston, Mrs. Covington joined the Kinston Alumni Chapter, Zeta Omicron Omega of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She labored diligently in many positions and even after she was unable to even recognize her first born son, J.R., she never failed to smile when you asked about the AKA hat she wore (EVERYDAY!). Either Covington was a distinguished hostess in her social club who didn’t play cards, but enjoyed keeping the tally and making sure everyone was having a great time. J.R. knew his mother absolutely loved fashion, so he introduced her to a Charlottean named Ellen Johnson who made custom hats. Each and every trip to Charlotte, included a visit to Ellen! ‘Hats By Ellen J’ became her standard and Ellen became her ‘personal milliner’. The hat she is wearing today is none other than an Ellen J original. Passionate about her vegetable garden; a day of pleasure for her included picking strawberries and other fruits and her two freezers stored the harvest. She would often go to Brunswick county to visit relatives and her zeal for family was the motivation for the Bryant-Hankins Family Reunions which included over 100 persons attending. When all “those six Bryant sisters” gathered, if any one of them called on you, you had to “give an account for yourself” on any question you were asked. Alzheimer’s did seize her visual recognition; however, it never took away her knowledge of the birth order of all her siblings down to her as the “baby”. Being raised to have a strong Christian faith, Mrs. Covington joined First Baptist Church soon after moving to Kinston where she taught and led Sunday School for many years and took immense pride in leading Vacation Bible School each summer. She was truly proud to support the building a new facility. Mrs. Covington peacefully left this life for her home in glory on January 30, 2021 and leaves to cherish loving memories along with the gracious legacy of a inspirational and unique woman: two sons, Reverend James. R. Covington, Jr. (Valencia), and Michael (Beverly), three grandchildren, Kimisha Valene, J.R., III, Gabriel, one great-granddaughter, Athena Valencia, and an extensive assembly of nieces and nephews. “Deacon Willie’s baby girl finally made it home. Rest in Peace Either B.