Submitting photoCelebrating Dr. Joe Covington’s service are, front row from left, Billye Dendy, Julia Bertrand, Dr. Joe Covington, Elizabeth Kahlmus and Andi Adams. Second row from left are Marolyn Davison, Diane Delk, Mary Ruth Sharp, Diane Howell, Frances Cooley, Virginia Hodges, Tillie Mattox and Meryl Lee Nunnery. Third row from left are Dr. Covington’s daughter-in-law, Pete Bertrand, Wanda DeLee and Dr. Bobby Adams. Back row from left, Dr. Covington’s son Stephen and Dr. Cherry Clark.

Longtime Meridian physician Dr. Joe Covington was applauded for his service and devotion to the Earnest Workers Circle of King’s Daughters and Sons as the organization presented a nursing scholarship in his honor.

Funded by the Circle through the Meridian Community College Foundation, the Dr. Joe Covington scholarship was awarded to Shalea Robinson, a third-semester student in the College’s Associate Degree Nursing Program.

Covington, 96, was appreciative of the recognition. “King’s Daughters meant so much to me for so many years. When King’s Daughters started, it was the first nursing home in Meridian,” he said.

The now retired doctor once treated patients at the facility as a staff physician, logging in 33 years of service.

“I hope we served a good purpose,” he said.

Covington also wrote the historical account of the local organization, remembering the King’s Daughters involvement in the care of tuberculosis patients.

Now celebrating its 110th anniversary, the Earnest Workers Circle supports many 501(c)3 organizations in Meridian and the surrounding area.

Robinson, the scholarship recipient, is a 2003 graduate of Bailey Magnet School in Jackson where she was a member of the National Honor Society. As an MCC student, she is a member of the Organization of Student Nurses and has a career goal of becoming a nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist and finding a way to give back to the community of nursing.