Evelyn Ladell Covington Epes

Evelyn Ladell Covington Epes, of Graham, affectionately known as Ladell to her friends and family, passed away peacefully at her residence on June 17, 2025, at the venerable age of 97. Born on February 6, 1928, in Halifax County, North Carolina, Ladell was a beacon of love and strength to all who knew her. Ladell's life was one of devotion and service, a testament to her unwavering Christian faith. She was a member of Bethel Baptist Church, where she nurtured her spiritual life with the same care and attention she gave to her beloved garden. Her love for the Lord and her church family was evident in her every action and word, and she was a cherished member of her congregation. As a homemaker, Ladell's world revolved around her family, whom she loved and cherished above all else. She was the matriarch who bound her family together with threads of compassion and grace. Her granddaughters, Madison L. Meadows and her husband Nicholas, and Garrison Epes, were among the many who felt the warmth of her love. Ladell's legacy continues through her great-grandchildren, Emma, Landon, Layton, Lillian, and Lennox, who will carry forward the values and love she instilled in them. Special friends, Hilda T. Clayton, Cindy C. Ellis, Hugh Duffer and wife Janice, Juanita Stone and Nellie Epes. Ladell's life was enriched by the simple pleasures she found in the beauty of nature. Her garden was a place of solace and joy, where she spent countless hours tending to her plants and flowers. The same hands that nurtured her family also coaxed life from the soil, creating a space of tranquility and beauty that reflected her inner spirit. Her special dog, Winnie, was a constant companion, sharing in the joys of her daily life. Together, they enjoyed the sunshine and the outdoors, creating memories that will be treasured forever. Ladell was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 74 years, George Thomas Epes, with whom she shared a lifetime of love and happiness. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Lewis and Lillie Blanch Covington, and her loving son, Ronald Thomas Epes and her sisters and brothers, Eunice C. Tapp, Virginia C. Duffer, Elenora C. Wagner, Louis “Boy” Covington, Ray Covington, and Cecil Covington. Their memories and the values they shared remain a guiding light for the family. Ladell's passing leaves a void in the hearts of those who knew her, but her spirit lives on in the love she gave so freely and the lives she touched. Her family takes comfort in knowing that she is now at peace, reunited with her loved ones who have gone before her. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday June 25, 2025, at the McClure Funeral Home Chapel in Graham with the Pastor David Jackson officiating. Burial will follow in Alamance Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the funeral home and other times at the residence of the family.