Bessie Boatright

Bessie Boatright, age 85, of Forest City, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, October 14th at Greenville Memorial Hospital.

Bessie was born Sunday, August 25, 1940 in Midland, Texas to the late Jack Covington and Lucille Greene Covington. She and her husband, Melvin, served the Lord together for many years while traveling around the country preaching, teaching and ministering to others. Bessie was a gifted pianist and enjoyed singing gospel songs, but above all she loved the Lord with all of her heart. She was an interior decorator, seamstress, upholsterer, a collector of antiques and even remodeled homes with her husband. She lived to bring honor and glory to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and was a faithful member of Grace Chapel.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers, Bob Covington, Jack Covington, Jr. and sister, Helen Lake.

Those left to cherish her memory includes her husband, Reverend Melvin Boatright; daughter, Deborah Camacho (Irving) of Forest City; son, Dennis Boatright (Don Pasquella) of Dallas, Texas; sister, Christine Head (Bonnie) and brother, Lester Dean Covington all of Irving, Texas; grandchildren, Brittney Barlow, Cameron Barlow, Preston Squyres, Miguel Camacho (Kaitlynn Gordon), Casey Squyres and Lulu Barcenas Lugo; great-grandchildren, Sarah, Maggie, Christofer, Alexa, Melania, Arianna, Hannah, Madison Jane, Laney, Parker and Karson.

The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 pm on Monday, October 20, 2025 at Grace Chapel with Reverend Paul McGinnis and Reverend Ricky Poteat officiating. Interment will follow at Alexander Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time at the church.

Memorial donations are requested to Grace Chapel, 178 Cornwell Street, Forest City, NC.