Date of Birth January 8, 1937
Date of Death July 22, 2010

The world was a little brighter the day Beverly Jean Covey was born in Caldwell, Kansas on January 8, 1937, to W.H. Neal, Sr. and Thelma Marie (Fisk) Neal. She was welcomed home by three older brothers, Bob, Bill and Bruce. Bonita, her younger sister, would soon follow. Bev grew up on the family farm east of Caldwell. She attended Falls Center "country school" and then went to "town school" at Caldwell (Go Bluejays!). While attending CHS, she met the love of her life, Eddie Covey. Bev graduated from CHS with the class of 1955. Her class was very important to her and several of the girls continued to have adventures, slumber parties at Nonie's, and even a trip to Florida. After high school Bev had an opportunity to become an airline stewardess, but her dad refused the idea, so she chose instead to attend Wichita Business School.

Following Business School, Bev returned to Caldwell to work as a telephone operator. On May 13, 1956, Bev finally married her high school sweetheart, Eddie Dean Covey, at the Caldwell United Methodist Church. They moved to Pierceville, Kansas shortly thereafter where Eddie was building grain elevators. In November 1957, Bev and Eddie welcomed their first daughter, Cindy Lou. A year later followed their son, Philip Dean. A second son, Bradley Neal, was born in June 1961.

After the sudden death of Eddie’s father, Eddie and Bev moved back to the farm west of Caldwell where Eddie had grown up. In January 1963, their second daughter, Pamela Sue, was born -- the fourth kid in five years! While Bev was busy raising her family, Eddie kept himself busy on the farm. As the kids became teenagers, Bev ventured out into the working world. She started at the Wagon Wheel Preschool located in the Presbyterian Church. After enjoying her time at the Preschool, Bev opened her own daycare, Covey Kiddie Corral. Many of Caldwell’s finest passed through Bev’s daycare. After closing the daycare, she held many other jobs in Caldwell including, time at USD #360 as a cook and a Para in the grade school, Rigsby’s Drug, The Caldwell Pharmacy and Friendship Meals.

In October 1984, Bev lost the love of her life. The following July she moved off the farm into her home on North Osage in Caldwell. Her brother, Bob, lived just across the street and he kept an eye on her to make sure she kept out of trouble. Bev also loved having Bob across the street and often could be found there if she wasn’t at home. Even though she chose to move to town she continued to love the farm and said it was "home", that is where all the good memories were.

Bev, affectionately known as “Grannie,” was very proud of her grandchildren and everyone knew it. Bev spent years following the activities of her grandchildren including sporting events, pageants, concerts and graduations. Bev had ten grandchildren: Cassie, Tyler, Courtney, Carlie, Alisha, Kayla, Kinsey, Devin, Derek, and Donavon. Her great grandchildren included Brycent, Alexis, Sierra, Isabella and Gabriel.
Bev and Eddie were both members of the Central Christian Church in Caldwell. They raised their kids in church and their faith was very important to them. She thoroughly enjoyed her Pairs & Spares Sunday school class and could be found out and about with that group on many weekends.

Bev began having some health problems in 2007. Following a minor stroke, she had another bout of bad luck -- her hip gave out requiring surgery to repair it. She was nursed back to health with the help of Cindy and many trips to town to walk on the school track (which she hated to do). Ultimately, in June 2008, she moved in with her daughter Pam and her family, near Wellington. After some problems caused by her first hip surgery, she returned last week for a second surgery to treat an infection that had developed in her hip. Complications arose following surgery. She put up a good fight and was still able to visit & laugh with family until the final few hours. Bev passed away peacefully late Thursday night surrounded by many friends and family. Bev and Eddie were reunited at heaven’s gate after 25 years.

Bev was preceded in death by her parents, brother Bruce and his wife Donna and two nieces, Rhonda Endorf and Glenda Ott.

She is survived by her daughter Cindy Belmear and husband Bruce of Caldwell, KS; son Phil Covey and Rhonda of Wichita, KS; Brad Covey and wife Becky of Rose Hill, KS; Pam Knoffloch and husband Rick of Wellington, KS; brothers Bob Neal and wife Eva of Caldwell, KS; Bill Neal Jr. and wife Georgia of Caldwell, KS; sister Bonita Hays and husband Jim of Wellington, KS; 10 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, many friends and 1 great granddog "Duke".

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 26, 2010 at the Central Christian Church in Caldwell, Kansas. Interment will be in the Caldwell City Cemtery.

Friends may call at the mortuary from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday, July 24, 2010 and from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, July 25, 2010.

Memorials may be given in memory of Beverly to the Central Christian Church of Caldwell, Oxford Christian Church or to the Caldwell Alumni Association.