Waymon Thomas “Tommy” Covington, 80
June 15, 1943 – September 30, 2024
Lifelong historian of Tippah County and faithful friend to many, Waymon Thomas Covington, known as “Tommy,” to most everyone, was born June 15, 1943, in Tippah County and on Monday evening September 30, 2024, he departed this life peacefully at the Tippah County Hospital.
A Memorial Service celebrating and honoring Tommy’s life will be held at 11 AM Saturday October 5, 2024, at the Ripley Presbyterian Church with a one-hour visitation beginning at 10 AM. Ripley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Tommy Covington was the unofficial “Concierge of Tippah County”, and this title was bestowed by his thirty-year career as Ripley librarian. He was a graduate of Ripley High School and received his Master’s Degree from the University of Mississippi. Tommy was viewed as the go-to man for information on practically any subject, for his untiring leadership in civic-minded projects, and the preservation of Tippah County history. Tommy always did things for people with no expectation of reward or glory. His good works were innumerable. He shared wise counsel with many folks who desperately needed some good advice or simply a shoulder to cry on. He unfailingly gave this needed attention calmly, sincerely, and without passing judgement.
Tommy taught, led in worship, kept the financial records and was the organist/pianist at his home church, Westminster Presbyterian, for many years. When during COVID, Westminster closed its doors, Tommy made Ripley Presbyterian his church home.
He was instrumental in getting the Dr. Jesse Mauney historical plaque brought to fruition in the town of Blue Mountain. And over the years, he was a driving force behind most all the other historical markers that exist around our county. Those remarkable “History of Tippah County” books would likely not exist if weren’t for his helping hands.
One of his great passions was finding and preserving beauty in nature, particularly it seems with the many varieties of flowers he nurtured and shared with anyone who expressed a similar interest. Maple trees of all varieties were his favorite…so much that he christened his own historic home at 306 North Main Street as MAPLE HILL. Many yards and gardens about Ripley are filled with unusual and wonderful plant specimens that this Master Gardener had propagated. One of his favorite mottos was expressed in an Emerson quote, “Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for Beauty is God’s handwriting.”
Tommy’s personal interests were extremely broad ranging. Of course, being a librarian, he had a multitude of literary interests, but his knowledge of the world of William Faulkner could not be excelled. His musical tastes were also certainly eclectic, ranging from classical to ragtime. He had a decades old hobby of finding and restoring old pump organs.
Since his retirement, traveling became a priority for him. Not only did he seek out various cultural meccas, and scenic destinations, but he truly loved to introduce new folks to the fascinating destination of the International Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee. Tommy was an avid collector of original artwork—Carroll Cloar, Theora Hamblett and our own Rippel Tatum Rasmussen to name just a few. He was a Frank Lloyd Wright fan, admiring the simple look of a Craftsman bungalow, and anything made of Mission Oak.
He loved Lassie dogs, and all birds, especially owls, ducks and crows…tuning in to his one and only television station for Masterpiece Theater and almost any MPB British mini-series…collecting and wearing his wildly colored suspenders…and going to eat chicken and dumplings with the “Unknown Ancestors” at Cracker Barrel or for his daily lunch at Shirley’s. He adored dark chocolate and good old home cooking, like sweet potatoes, peas and cornbread, made without sugar of course.
He was an aficionado of vintage quilts and of the energy restoring naps they can certainly provide. Believe it or not, Tommy was the official Chairman of the “National Campaign for Naps.”
Tommy never let himself be left behind in this modern digital era, rather he embraced it. In keeping with one of his own touchstone mottos, that “Friendship is the best relationship of all,” he cultivated an interest in Facebook. His efforts at Facebook posting consumed much of his time, not only in preserving historic photos and local memories, but in the formation of new connections with like-minded folks. Tommy liked to boast that he had over two thousand “Friends” following his posts. But if one were to count his lifetime accumulation of real flesh and blood friends, this estimate would pale in comparison!
One of Tommy’s heroes, Henry David Thoreau said that “True wealth is the ability to fully experience life.” By this definition, Tommy Covington was perhaps the richest man that Tippah County has ever known.
Tommy was “TWICE BLESSED-He was happy, and he knew it.” The legacy of TOMMY COVINGTON’S LIFE was indeed A BLESSING TO US ALL.
Tommy’s life will continue to be cherished by his brother, Jimmie Allen Covington (Shirley), two nephews, John Covington (Kim), and Michael Covington (Rachel), one niece, Jimmie Ann Spence, and a very dear friend, Dr. Dwalia South, who wrote such a personal obituary, characterizing Tommy’s life.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Hubert Allen and Jimmie Irene McCluskey Covington.
The family request donations be directed to the Ripley Presbyterian Church, Ripley Public Library, or the Wiers Chapel Cemetery Fund in the care of the Peoples Bank in Ripley.
Ripley Funeral Home invites you to share memories with Tommy’s family.
Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.
