Arvela Covington

Obituary Arvela Rose Watson Covington was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey to Samuel Clifford Watson and Mae Evna O’Neal Watson on October 16, 1929. Bebe, as she is affectionally called, is the youngest of five children. Three brothers, Samuel, James and Vincent, and one sister Grace Watson Lowery. Arvela Rose passed from labor to reward in Omaha, NE on Saturday September 13, 2025. She was proceeded in death by her parents, her three brothers, her sister, and her beloved husband, Leonard. Bebe graduated from Abraham Clark High School in Roselle, NJ in 1947. She excelled in many classes, and especially enjoyed business and art classes. After graduation, she began her working life. Bebe worked several jobs, and ended her career at the Internal Revenue Service, retiring in 2002. She met the love of her life, Leonard William Covington, while working a seasonal job at the clothing store, Bambergers, in New York City. They were married April 11, 1959 at her family home. Their marriage was a beautiful love story that surpassed 56 years until Leonard’s death on March 28, 2016. Bebe, was blessed and gifted with her hands. She truly loved washing them as well! Knitting, crocheting, making and selling artificial flowers, Porcelain dolls, cooking, doing origami, and teaching others how to make origami were her specialties. She especially enjoyed volunteering and helping children with special needs. Arvela Rose was a beautiful person. It is a blessing to have known her sweet, kind, caring and joyful spirit. To know her is to love her, and we do. Loving her until we meet again… Niece: Theresa Mathews (Durham, NC ), Cousin-in-Love: Darlene Webster, Nieces & Nephew Care Takers: Dorothy and Melvin Tyree, Jr. and Elayne Miller Cousin: Ronald Watson Other Nieces and Nephews: Henry Greene (Ramona), Leonard Bates (Taji), Phillip Bates (Carmen), Scott Bates, and Margaret Bates Grand Nieces and Nephews: LaTosha Smith (Brandt), Omari Greene, Audra Nelson (Jules), Arvela Robbins (Clashaud), Rachael Lytle, Leonard Bates (Georgina), Jocelyn Bullock, Aeren Bates, Grace Tyree, Nicholas Bates, Arlah Bates, Christopher Bates (Heather), Wanda Wright (Jonathan), Phillip Bates, Tara Bates, Alaya West, Darlene Tyree, Melvin Tyree III (Sara), and Raymon Tyree Grand Nieces and Nephews: Kevin Lytle, Bryce Lytle, Ayden Bates, Ayana Robbins, Josephine Bates, Clashaud Robbins Jr., Gabriella Bates, Jaidell Robbins, Jeremiah Robbins, Aubree Wright, Adara Robbins, Jules Nelson, London Smith, Londyn Wright, Jackson Nelson, Ivy Wright, Tyson Smith, Emma Nelson, Bruce Bates, Jonathan Wright Jr. Special Friends: Annette Bowman ‘The Brat J’, Loving Neighbors Tammy Elmore and Jasmine Elmore, and Friends from Zion Baptist Church -- "You are LOVED with an EVERLASTING love!" Jeremiah 31: 3

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