Obituary of Stanley Eugene Cover
STANLEY EUGENE COVER
Stanley Eugene Cover peacefully entered Heaven on January 21, 2019 he was 88 years old.
He was born in Howell County Missouri on June 9, 1930 to Louia Pitman Cover and Hugh Edward Cover. Stanley enjoyed telling anyone who would listen about his adventures being raised on his folks’ farm. He and his brother Vance enjoyed arguing over who was the instigator those adventures as usually those two were always together. Stanley attended Dry Creek Baptist Church during his childhood, and it was there in October 1941 that he gave his life to Christ. In 1950, Stanley experienced two significant life events. In August of that year he enlisted in the United States Air Force, and on December 24th he married his precious Shirley Marlene Reynolds. Two months before his discharge from the Air Force in 1954, Stanley attended a revival in Topeka, Kansas and at that time experienced God’s call on his life to become a minister of the Gospel. He and Shirley eventually moved to North Carolina, so he could attend Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He graduated from there in 1961 with a Master’s of Theology. During their time in North Carolina they welcomed their two children: Jennifer Marlene and Timothy Reynolds.
Stanley began his pastoral ministry in 1961 at Bethel Baptist Church in Owasso, Oklahoma. The Lord directed Stanley to the following ministry opportunities:
First Baptist Church Webb City, Missouri
Billy Graham Association
First Baptist Church Miami, Oklahoma
Community Baptist Church Tulsa, Oklahoma
First Baptist Church Hutchinson, Kansas
After “retiring” in 1995, Stanley served in several interim pastorates until he and Shirley moved to Texas in 2007 to be near their children and grandchildren. They were some of the first residents at Atria Hometown and Stanley was able to be the chaplain there for 10 years after helping establish the Trinity Chapel. The entire time that Stanley was a pastor, he also was being a loving tender husband to Shirley, a funny but wise daddy to Jennifer and Tim, an attentive Papa to Ben, Aaron, Courtney, Taylor, and Hallie; a loving son, brother, and uncle to his extended family.
Stanley is preceded in death by the love of his life, Shirley Marlene Reynolds Cover to whom he was married for 67 years. Also preceding him are his parents, sisters Marge, Lillian, and Vivian; brothers Herb, Ray, Oral, and Vance.
He will be greatly missed by his daughter Jennifer Marlene Hallcroft, her husband William, and their sons Ben and Aaron, his son Tim Reynolds Cover, his wife Sondra, and their daughters Courtney, Taylor, and Hallie. Stan’s remaining sibling Audrey Hayes, sister-in-law Deana Cover, brother-in-law Bob Reynolds, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Service will be Friday, January 25, 2019 at 10:30
Forest Ridge Funeral Home
8525 Mid Cities Blvd
North Richland Hills, TX 76182
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to:
The Ministers and Missionaries Benefits Board (MMBB Financial Services) was born over 100 years ago out of a collective vision to improve the lives of ministers, missionaries, and their families. That vision is still alive today. While MMBB provides retirement, death, disability, and other benefits for clergy, missionaries, and lay employees of churches and related organizations, our ministry calls us to see that none of those who serve God suffer.
The checks should be made out to Heritage of Sharing and mailed to the following:
MMBB Financial Services
475 Riverside Dr. #1700
New York, NY 10115
Please make sure that either the note with the check or the check itself states that the gift is
In memory of Stanley Cover
