Spc. Fourth Class James Beverly Covington (Jimmy), 86, of Rockingham, passed away at the N.C. State Veterans Home in Salisbury of natural causes on June 24, 2026.
He was born in Rockingham on July 31, 1939 to Neil H. Covington and Vinnie B. Covington.
He attended school in Rockingham, delivered the GRIT newspaper by riding his bike around the area before he bought his first car, a Ford Model A. He joined the U.S. Army in 1963 and was stationed at Fort Richardson in Alaska, where he worked as a wheel and auto mechanic. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal. He spoke of driving the generals to the missile testing range and became very good at driving in the snow and ice. He was in Anchorage after the 1964 earthquake and was able to take some pictures and home movies.
After returning home, he went to work at J.P. Stevens in Aberdeen. He worked as a weaver and operated various machines. He was affectionately known as “Slim” while there, due to his tall, slim stature. When traveling through Charlotte, he liked to tell “us kids” that he “helped make the carpet for that building." He was referring to the large building with gold windows on Independence Boulevard.
He then worked at Clark Equipment Company in Rockingham until they closed in 1986. He was known as “High Pocket,” a nickname he didn’t really like. He worked as a machinist/grinder and often mentioned he could tell by touch if a part was ground to the proper specs. He then returned to J.P. Stevens/Gulistan Carpets in Aberdeen and finally retired to focus on other interests.
He used to tell stories about the ice storm that hit the county in February 1969. He climbed a telephone pole to reconnect the lines so he could call his sweetheart, Rosa Jean Fields. They were married in June 1969.
James was preceded in death by his father, Neil H. Covington; his mother, Vinnie B. Covington; his older brother, Edwin; and his wife, Rosa Jean Fields.
He is survived by daughters Cynthia Black (Gerald) and Jamie Dunn (Joel); and three grandchildren, Joey, Elizabeth and Thomas Dunn.
Visitation will be 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 28, 2026, followed by a service at 2 p.m. in the chapel at Watson-King Funeral Home, 306 E. Franklin St., Rockingham. Private burial to follow at Northam Cemetery in Rockingham.
The family would like to thank the staff at N.C. State Veterans Home–Salisbury and the nurses and aides from PruittHealth Hospice & Palliative Care–Wilkes. Thank you for all of your wonderful help before, during, and after daddy’s passing. A special shoutout to a Hospice aide, Judy, for her devotion, care, and concern during and after daddy’s passing. She was the one person he spoke of by name and always had a smile on his face when he did.
In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in the name of James B. Covington to N.C. State Veterans Home, 1601 Brenner Ave., Building 10, Salisbury, NC 28144; or PruittHealth Hospice & Palliative Care, 924 Main St., Ste 100, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659.
Online condolences may be made at watson-kingfuneralhome.com. Watson-King Funeral Home in Rockingham is serving the Covington family.
