Mrs. Tommie Lee Covington Kent, 86, of Millen, died Friday, March 19, 2010.

Funeral services were held 11 a.m. Monday, March 22, 2010 at the Elam Baptist Church with the Revs. Kevin Farmer and Dr. Maurice Crowder officiating. Burial followed in the Elam Baptist Cemetery.

Mrs. Kent was born and reared in Jenkins County.

Her husband, Neely Kent and son, Ray Kent, preceded her in death.

Survivors include two daughters, Patricia Ann (Samuel) Smith of Haddock and Veronica (James Carlton) Cowart of Millen; a brother, John Covington of Savannah; an uncle, Dr. Ira Edward Aaron of Athens. She was blessed with eight grandchildren: Michael Smith of Rawlins, Wyoming; Todd (Dana) Cowart of Athens; Chad (Yvonne) Smith of Columbus; Jodi (Matt) Thomas of Statesboro; Jennifer (Billy) Oglesby, Angie (Jeff) Lane and Vanessa (Tim) Parker all of Millen; and Philip Kent of Statesboro. Her great-grandchildren include David Smith of Haddock, Emily Smith of Columbus, Cash Cowart, Maggie Cowart and Copeland Cowart, all of Athens, Sara Thomas and Audrey Thomas of Statesboro, Beth McKenzie, Brandon McKenzie, Jared McNorrill, Levi Oglesby, Zoey Oglesby, Tristan Lane, Tucker Lane, Addisan Lane, Tori Becton, Zac Becton, Zan Becton and Jack Parker, all of Millen. She had several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was a devoted Christian mother who loved her family and church. She was a member of the Elam Baptist Church. She served in various leadership positions with the church. Her dedicated service to the church include, teaching Sunday School to adults and children, singing in the choir, teaching Bible School, serving as social, benevolence and flower chairman and participating in the Woman’s Missionary Union as a local and associational member. She assisted with many of the musical activities of the church as well as directing weddings for the Four Points Community.

She attended the Norwood Community School during her elementary years and after its closing graduated from the Millen High School. She was a creative seamstress who enjoyed sewing and crocheting for her family and friends. She loved young people and remained young at heart. She was a former Brownie Scout leader who taught her sewing skills to the children. In her former years she enjoyed volunteering to support the Jenkins County Band, Millen Teen Town and the 4-H Club. She enjoyed the Jenkins County Home Extension Program. She was selected as the Jenkins County Homemaker of the Year in the late 1950’s.

Her career included working at Thompson Company for a few years in the 1940’s, working with Dr. Brannen at his Drug Store in the 1960’s, managing the Allied Department Store for 25 years and working part-time after retirement at the Charm Barn. She was a former member of the Business and Professional Women of Millen. She was instrumental in establishing the Lane Cemetery Association, which is an organization to preserve family history and archives in Jenkins County.

Active pallbearers were Danny Bennett, Anthony Cowart, Dr. Kyle Gay, Jerry Henry, Rayburn Johnson, Anthony Martin, Cardell Mills and Marty Orvin. Honorary Pallbearers were deacons of Elam Baptist Church. Crowe-Fields Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.