Edgar L. Covington

Edgar L Covington was born January 26, 1936, in Nashville, Tennessee to the parents of John and Martha Covington. He has three brothers: John (deceased), Aaron (deceased), and Charles Covington. Edgar is the grandson of the late Reverend Frank L. Sanders, pastor of Spruce Street Baptist Church from 1921 to 1926.

Edgar graduated from Pearl High School and attended Tennessee State University. He served in the Army as a Tank Commander and Platoon Sergeant for the 2nd Armor Division and 35th Armor in Fort Hood, Texas. He also served in the Tennessee Army National Guard for eight years as an Intelligent Analyst. Edgar was honorably discharged from the military in 1963.

Also, in 1963, he left America to live in France. After six months in France, he moved to Copenhagen, Denmark where he lived there for about a year. He later traveled to Malmö, Sweden where he lived briefly. He then traveled to Germany where he joined the European Exchange System. He stayed with the Exchange System until 1976. While employed there he had the opportunity to travel Europe extensively. He traveled to Bulgaria, Romania, Istanbul, Türkiye, France, Italy, and Spain. He attended the overseas branch of the University of Maryland and distinguished himself as an outstanding student in the studies of modern foreign languages.

Edgar always enjoyed traveling. During his extensive travel, he acquired an interesting album of photos and paintings of historical sites from Europe.

Edgar returned to the United States, August 26, 1976, and immediately started to fulfill his life dream in America as a realtor and investor. Over an abbreviated period, he purchased homes near Tennessee State University. At first, Edgar rented his property to out-of-town students and international students. He was also employed at Tennessee State University as the supervisor of the physical plant for 12 years. Later he opened Covington’s Family Care in 1989, whereby he opened all his houses to homeless, elderly, mentally challenged, battered wives, and substance use clients. With the support of his resolute and devoted caretaker Stephen Towne (deceased), Edgar was able to serve the community for over 30 years. Later, Edgar purchased a restaurant in 2003 entitled “Mr. Covington’s Kitchen” located in the historical section of Buena Vista Heights.

For the last forty years Edgar suffered with asthma. He did not let his health deter him from enjoying life with family and friends. His hobbies were real estate, home health care service, foreign travel, photography, and history. Edgar has four children, Edward Gant preceded him in death (Darlene Gant), Lillian Diane Covington Green (Lemuel Green), Jasmine Covington, and Edgar Dominique Covington. Edgar Covington will be deeply missed by his devoted niece Avis Covington Easley (Carl Easley), his granddaughter Tiffany Thomas, great grandchildren, great nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and all who know him.

Please keep the Covington family in your thoughts and prayers.