Dr. Covert

Dr. Donald Babcock Covert, 74, passed away Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at Alamance Regional Medical Center. Born in Cincinnati and raised in Portsmouth, Ohio, he was the husband of Sandra Winter Heckman Covert and son of the late Donald Smith Covert and Betty Babcock Covert.
He was a Doctor of Optometry and a longtime member of Graham Presbyterian Church where he served as a Deacon and an Elder. He attended Sunday School and was active in the Men's Bible Study group. He was a man of deep faith and his love for the Lord was evident in everything he did.
He graduated from Portsmouth High School where he served as President of the Student Council. He was an Eagle Scout, played various sports and dearly loved and respected his first coach, Shurl Shoemaker, who had a profound influence on his life. Upon graduation he headed to The Ohio State University where he graduated from the College of Optometry.
Dr. Covert's optometry career began in Michigan and he continued his practice when he and his family moved to Graham, NC. He served patients in Graham and Roxboro for many years. He was actively involved in his community serving on numerous boards including the Alamance County Health Board. Dr. Covert was a member of several professional organizations including the American Optometric Association and the North Carolina Society of Optometry. He was a member of Rotary for 42 years and was a Paul Harris Fellow. One of his favorite pastimes was playing golf and he played as often as he was able. As a matter of fact, he birdied his last hole when he played on Monday. He was a world traveler and most recently enjoyed a cross country trip with his wife in their motor coach.
Survivors include his wife, Sandra Winter Heckman Covert of the home; daughters, Amelia Lynn "Amy" Fleming (Edward) of Elon, Rebecca Louise "Becky" Robison (Trey) of Indian Trail, NC; son, Donald Babcock Covert, Jr. of Graham; stepdaughter, Jennifer Heckman Starkey (Randy) of Conway, NC; mother, Betty Babcock Covert, Portsmouth OH; sister, Elizabeth Louise Salladay (John) of Indianapolis, IN; brothers, Howard Larkin Covert (Joanne) of Indianapolis, IN and Thomas Samuel Covert (Brenda) of Portsmouth, OH; grandchildren, Madeleine, Robert, and Larkin Fleming; James, William and Peter Robison; Aubrey, Chloe, Nathanael, Lukas and Adassa Starkey. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Susan Mangum Covert and by his father, Donald Smith Covert.
A Celebration of Life will be held 11:00am Saturday, February 11, 2017 at Graham Presbyterian Church by Dr. Steve Braswell and Rev. Randy Starkey.
The family will receive friends at the church from 9:30-10:45 prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Graham Presbyterian Church,216 W. Harden Street, Graham, NC 27253 (P.O. Box 1089) in memory of Donald Covert.

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