Zona Y. Covey

Zona Y. Covey, 90, of Searcy for the past 13 months formerly of Hot Springs, Ark., died at Oakdale Nursing Home in Judsonia, on 7/19/14. She was born in Marion, Iowa to Myrtle and Walter Cleveland. After graduating from Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, Iowa, Zona attended Iowa State University for two years and was a member of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. Zona and two friends moved to New York City during WWII where Zona was a successful Conover model. She graced the covers of Redbook, Better Homes and Gardens and other magazines and even appeared on TV shows. In August of 1947 she returned to Des Moines, where Harry, who had been a friend of hers in high school, found her and they were married two weeks later. Zona and Harry moved from Iowa to Little Rock and lived there many years where they raised their family. Zona was a stay at home mom until her children graduated from high school. She worked at Parkview HS as the audiovisual coordinator in the library for 12 years, which helped the family financially. She learned to play golf, winning tournaments at Rebsamen golf course. She was proud of having made a hole in one! Harry and Zona built their retirement house, in Hot Springs where they enjoyed golf, boating and entertaining family and friends on the lake. Zona was a member of PEO and enjoyed participating as long as she was able. They were members of Westminster Presbyterian Church and Hot Springs Country Club. Zona was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Harry after 66 years of marriage. Survivors include a son, David (Linda) Covey of Searcy; and a daughter, Shari (Chuck) Clark of Springdale; four grandchildren, Andrea Covey (Matt Sappington), Sarah Covey, Brian Clark and Stephanie Clark; great-grandson Calvin Sappington; and several nieces and nephews. The family wishes to offer special thanks to the caregivers at Oakdale Nursing home and Arkansas Hospice. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorials be made to Arkansas Children's hospital in Little Rock, or the charity of your choice. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Hot Springs with a Memorial service at 2 pm. Arrangements are with Gross Funeral Home in Hot Springs. Guest register is at http://www.grossfuneralhome.com.