Kesler Chapel AME Zion Church has named Evelyn “Marie” Johnson Covington its 2016 Woman of the Year.
Each year, a woman at Kesler Chapel is selected and voted on by the women of the church as the Woman of the Year. Covington was chosen this year and will be honored in recognition of her commitment, faithfulness and selfless devotion to her church.
Covington will be recognized at 10 a.m. Sunday, March 13 at the 708 Salisbury St. church in Wadesboro during its annual Women’s Day. This year’s theme is “Women in God’s Service.” The speaker for the event is Evangelist Brenda Pratt, who is affiliated with the Evangelistic Outreach Center in Polkton.
Covington was born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Monroe. She attended Central Piedmont Community College and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she majored in special education. She also received a bachelor of science degree from Liberty University in May 2013.
Marie, as she is known, is a retired educator with 38 years of teaching in Union and Anson County public schools. In addition, she was employed as a habilitation technician for Sandhills Group Home for 15 years.
Covington is active at Kesler Chapel, serving as president of the Senior Choir, a consecrated deaconess, director of adults in the Christian Education Department, member of the Usher Board, Stewardess Board, Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society and is a vacation Bible school teacher.
Covington has two children, Marcus Covington (Keytionada) of Jennings, Florida, and Allison Covington Henry (Bernard) of Raleigh; two step-children, Cory Kirby and Karen Kirby (deceased); and eight grandchildren.
Winnie Bennett is a member of Kesler Chapel’s Women’s Day Committee and is in charge of publicity.
