Imogean Covington Racely, wife of Kermit Lamar Racely for 61 years and U.S. Postal Service retiree died early Wednesday, November 24, at the family home in Memphis. She had been in frail health for the past two years but continued most of her activities until her recent cancer diagnosis. Mrs. Racely was born August, 25, 1922 in Marks, MS, on the Covington Place, to Josa Lee (Mr. J.L.) Covington and Mary AnnieDee Hughes Covington. Her death was the last of her nine siblings, and was preceded by: Leo D'lo and Stella Jane Covington, who died in early childhood; Claric Clayton Covington, Gladys Audrey Covington, Celia Lametta Covington Walker, Amzie Lee Covington, Annie Lois Covington Hammond, Leah Covington Schoolar, and most recently, her closest brother, Dr. Leslie Hughes Covington. Mrs. Racely attended the University of Tennessee and was a graduate of Miller-Hawkins Business College. She began her career in civilian life in Memphis and in government services in the Office of Price Stabilization, the U.S. Army 2nd Transportation Zone, and finally the U.S. Postal Service. At the USPS, her first jobs were as executive secretary and she later advanced to management. She served as Officer in Charge/OIC (interim postmaster) at Warner Robins, GA., and retired in 1988 as Senior Address Information Systems Specialist. Her husband was her earliest and tireless supporter in an era that birthed 2-career families and equality for women. Mrs. Racely tirelessly researched her family genealogy and hosted a multi-generational Covington Family Reunion in Memphis in 1999, on the 100th Anniversary of her parents' marriage. A charming Delta lady, she had many varied interests: in retirement, her favorite was Gatlinburg and the Smokies-hiking, nature sounds of brooks and streams, and dulcimers. She was a sports fan, who favored men's and women's fast-pitch softball and baseball. Until declining health forced her to the bank, she was an avid and successful bass and crappie fisherman in Mississippi and Arkansas waters. Despite her family and business commitments, her church carried her through all, and the years only increased her commitment and faith. She was a devoted 45-plus year member of Whitehaven Baptist Church and was a member of the Women's Missionary Union (now WOM) and during her working years was a member of the Business Women's Circle. At the time of her death, she was a Church Librarian for over 20 years in the Media Center. Each Christmas for over 14 years, she and her husband traveled to visit their daughter and son-in-law in New Mexico and later in Florida, and often traveled to where their daughter was working on assignments in the USA and Canada. Mrs. Racely is survived by her husband and their only child, Ruth Ann Racely (widow of John H. Weed,) close and cherished nephews Dr. Kenneth Hughes Covington, Leslie Jones Covington, Josie Lee Covington, and Leslie Hughes Covington; Audrey Lee Hammond Butler, Abner Meek Hammond, Jr. and other cherished nieces and nephews and their families. She also leaves her step-grandchildren Suzanne Weed Martin, Janet Weed Beaver and John Richard Weed, and their families. Services are scheduled for Wednesday, December 1, 2010 in the sanctuary of Whitehaven Baptist Church. Visitation will begin at 12:30 p.m. followed by the formal funeral services at 1:30 p.m. Burial will immediately follow at Historic Elmwood Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to: Memphis Friends of the Library or Whitehaven Baptist Church or the charity or the donor's personal choice. Memorial Park Funeral Home, "Behind the stone wall" (Published in The Commercial Appeal on November 28, 2010)