Gay Higginson Covington Obituary (1932 - 2019)

Gay Higginson Covington passed away on May 19th, 2019 at her residence in Orem Utah. She was born December 18th, 1932 in Blackfoot Idaho. She is reunited with her parents George Anson and Elfie Higginson, husband Wayne L Covington, sister Zola Hancock and brother in Law Larry Smith. Gay started her life on a 40-acre farm in Rockford Idaho where they had a buckskin riding horse, a harness and 3 cows. (from Elfie Higginson’s journal) As a result of poor crops and prices, her Father George Anson Higginson, later moved the family to Springfield where he could provide for the family as a school teacher. She also lived in the communities of Firth and Thomas Idaho. At an early age she learned to be a good helper when her twin sisters Zola and Zada were born. That was the beginning of her life of service. While the family could not afford a piano at home, Gay longed to play the piano. Her determined nature became evident when, at a young age, she taught herself to play the piano. She would walk to the school each day to practice. As a result, she became the accompanist for many music groups throughout her high school years. Gay graduated from Snake River High School while living in Thomas Idaho. On January 18th, 1952, she married Wayne Covington in the LDS Idaho Falls temple. She worked for the county extension office and spent her first year of marriage alone while Wayne served in Korea as part of the Air Force during the Korean War. Upon Wayne’s return they moved to Sioux City Iowa where Wayne completed his military service. They moved to Provo Utah where she worked to support Wayne through the engineering program at Brigham Young University. Because she didn’t have the opportunity to attend college, her Father, Anson, gifted her a piano in lieu of her college fund. She put the piano to use to serve others, to help provide financially by teaching piano lessons, and to leave a legacy of music appreciation for her family. Gay moved multiple times through her life following Wayne through his career. Stops included Provo Utah, Salt Lake City, Moses Lake Washington, Nephi Utah, Ontario Oregon, Boise Idaho, American fork and finally Orem Utah. Throughout her whole life, Gay was actively involved in community and humanitarian service. She utilized her sewing skills to make clothes and blankets that would be sent to people around the world. She was well known for reaching out whether it was family or anyone in need to provide a listening ear, some sage counsel, and often providing a place to stay for weeks, months, or even years at a time. Gay was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints. She served faithfully in many different capacities, however, especially loved working with the youth. In later years she enjoyed serving at the LDS temple in Provo Utah. Gay is survived by brother Gary Higginson (Beulah), sisters, Zada Smith, LeAnn Castleton (Steve), children Alan (DeAnn), Vance (Cindy), Jill (John), Mark (Camille), foster son Randy Moeck (Robin), 20 grandkids, and 34 great-grand kids. Funeral Services will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, May 25th, 2019 at the Alpine ward chapel, 828 W 1600 N Orem, Utah. A viewing will be held from 9 AM to 9:45 AM at the church. Interment will be in the Thomas Riverside Cemetery in Thomas, Idaho on May 25th, 2019 at 4 PM.