Ms. Virginia "Ginny" Covington

Virginia Covington, of Peoria, affectionately known as “Ginny”, transitioned from this earth on Sunday, September 15, 2024, surrounded by her four loving children, at the age of 65. She was born on August 31st, 1959, in Springfield, Illinois to the parentage of the late Dorothy Perkins and William E. Shepherd Sr. Virginia attended Manual High School in Peoria, Illinois. As a child, Ginny was Daddy’s girl and loved to be by his side. She wanted to go wherever he went. Her father and Uncle Calvin would often take her to Jazz Festivals, and she developed a lifelong love for the music genre. She also enjoyed the soulful ballads of R&B singer Anita Baker. In 1976, at a young age, she gave birth to her first child, Tamiya Covington in Peoria, Illinois. The following year she gave birth to her first-born son, Derrick Lemon. Over a decade later, at the age of 34, Ginny gave birth to her second son, Carl Lobdell in 1993 and completed the foursome with baby girl Samantha Graves in 1999. Virginia had a fun and feisty personality, and liked to keep everything around her neat, clean and tidy. When in her presence one could always expect things to be in order. A woman of style and impeccable appearance, she instilled these attributes in her children. Ginny was an opinionated woman, who talked a mile a minute, but those who were close to her always understood, what others questioned. She kept an inside joke going between her and her children, “That’s what he told me, that’s what he said!” And each of them knew exactly what she was saying, without saying it. Virginia pursued a career as a Home Health Aide and had a great love for her clients. She enjoyed cooking and steak was her favorite food. Her father thought her T-bone steaks were the absolute best! Basketball was Ginny’s favorite sport. She was a big fan of Lebron James. Her favorite pastime was traveling to Texas to visit her daughter, Tamiya and attend the Texas State Fair. Virginia’s grandchildren were her pride and joy. It was of utmost importance to her to spend time with them. They traveled with her, and they spent time with their grandmother every weekend. She didn’t allow illness to stop their regular routine. Virginia was preceded in death by her mother: Dorothy Perkins; two sisters: Cassandra Henry and Tina Covington. Virginia leaves to cherish her precious memory children: Tamiya Covington, Derrick Lemon, Carl Lobdell and Samantha Graves; grandchildren: Amber Bulliner, Terrell Hall, Terri Hall, Derrick Lemon Jr., Deja Lemon, Lamar Cagle, Nova Lobdell, Nola Lobdell, Noel Lobdell; great grandchildren: Elliott Kabutta, and E’yani Lemon; father: Pastor William E. Shepherd Sr. (Barbara); grandmother: Hannah Perkins; brothers: John Covington, William Shepherd Jr. (Roshanda), and Willie Little; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at T.W. Parks Colonial Chapel from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pastor William Sheppard Sr.. (father) will present the eulogy. Virginia’s Inurnment is Private. Arrangements were made especially for the “Covington” family and professionally directed by T.W. Parks Colonial Chapel. Live streaming can be viewed by clicking the link for T.W. Parks Colonial Chapel Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/twparkscolonialchapel. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Virginia Covington, please visit our Sympathy Store.

Ms. Virginia "Ginny" Covington

August 31, 1959 - September 15, 2024