Sandra Jean Covington

Sandra Jean Covington, B.A. ’58, died April 28 at The Delaney at Lake Waco. 

She was born May 2, 1936, in Houston to Faye and Cliff Cartlidge. After graduating from Milby High School, Covington attended Baylor University to study education. During her time in Waco, she worked as a “chapel checker,” taking attendance for students. Following her graduation from Baylor in 1958, Covington taught English and Texas history in Corpus Christi, Texas, before moving back to Houston. There, while volunteering at the county hospital, she met the love of her life, Red Covington, B.A. ’59, who was completing his residency for Baylor Medical School. It was love at first sight, and the two were married June 28, 1963.

In 1964, Covington’s daughter, Julie, B.S. ’87, M.S.Ed. ’94, M.T.S. ’23, was born, followed soon by Jill, B.S.Ed. ’88, M.S.Ed. ’90, in 1965. Covington became a homemaker and raised their daughters in a loving home. The family moved to Waco in July 1969 for Red to practice orthopedic medicine, and he would eventually become the team doctor for Baylor’s football team. The Covington family joined First Baptist Church Waco and became immersed in ministry. At FBC, Covington taught Sunday School to 5- and 6-year-olds. Over 30 years, she touched hundreds of children’s lives and several generations within the FBC family.After she “retired” from teaching Sunday School, Red and Sandra became “room parents” to the young married class. 

They lived an exciting, generous life and were a bright light in Waco. Red and Sandra loved their daughters, the Lord, their church and Baylor University. The family was and continues to be avid supporters of Baylor sports.

In the years after Red’s passing, Covington would occasionally substitute teach for children’s Sunday School, and she continued attending games for her beloved Baylor women’s basketball team. She adored the girls on the team and often made them cookies and hosted them for a day of fishing at Lake Covington. Covington also loved painting ceramics, a hobby she learned from her dear friend, Dee Cota.

Covington was fiercely loyal, passionate about Jesus and absolutely adored her daughters, son-in-law, granddaughters and their spouses.