“Though her mind was sharp, her body grew weary.” Freda Olive Pritt Covert, 99, of Morgantown, passed away peacefully on Monday, Jan. 24, 2022, at her home surrounded by her family.
Her journey on this earth began on June 9, 1922 in Hackers Valley, being born to William Wesley Pritt and Dorsie Allena Jordan Pritt.
Freda grew up in Webster County and our “Rosie the Riveter” moved to Warren, Ohio to make torpedo shell casings for the boys overseas. There she met Francis “Dean” Covert who would become her husband. They soon moved back to West Virginia and raised their family in the Morgantown area.
After Dean’s death, she obtained her GED and worked for the Monongalia County Board of Education as a substitute cook while raising three grandsons as her own. She remained busy tending to her flower and vegetable gardens. From those gardens, she canned food for family dinners and displayed many beautiful flower arrangements for her family to enjoy.
Freda enjoyed sports. She loved rooting for WVU and all sports out of Pittsburgh. She loved to watch her stories in the afternoon and game shows, dance and singing shows at night. Her lucky number was 3 and slot machines were her favorite.
She enjoyed teaching her family the important things in life such as: “How to fold a fitted sheet … yeah we’re still working on that!” “Oil of Olay is your best friend. Moisturize your face and don’t forget your neck!” “Reading is essential! Harlequin was her favorite.” “When playing Dominos, cards or Yahtzee, don’t whine when you lose or you owe a quarter in the ‘No Whining Jar’. She made $35!” “When company is there at dinnertime, you open up another can and add another chair at the table. But remember, you shuffle your feet you lose your seat!” “Never miss a chance to get your hair fixed, a manicure, and pedicure. Red is best!” “Whenever you get a chance to travel, do it! Don’t forget to get under the arrows!” “Birthdays are a special day. You get to celebrate you! Bigger is better! And she said her COVID birthday parade was the best!” “Family is important. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but be there to support each other during happy and trying times.”
Left to cherish Freda’s memory are her daughters, Paula Ruth Martin, of Kingsburg, Calif., Carol Ann Williams (Allen), of Katy, Texas; Linda Louise Martin (Alex), of Morgantown, and Sandra Kay Lear (David Chisler), of Morgantown; sons, Vearl “Pete” Pritt, of Morgantown; Francis Larry Covert (Patricia Wells), of Jacksonville, Fla., Richard Arlen Covert (Susan), of Hudson, N.C., and Robert Eugene Covert (Rosario), of Houston; sisters, Carol Gum, of Webster Springs and Gladys Brass, of Augusta; brothers, Robert Keith Pritt, of Pasadena, Md., and Kenny Ferrel Pritt, of Webster Springs; two grandchildren, whom she raised as her own, James Covert (Darla) and Brian Covert (Pam), all of Morgantown; 19 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, 11 great-great-grandchildren; and numerous bonus family members.
In addition to her parents, Freda was preceded in death by her husband, Francis Marion Covert; sons, William John Covert and Stanley “Wayne” Wainwright Pritt; sisters, Elsie Maxine Ring, Patricia Perkins, Mabel Foehrkolb and Gina Ruth Pritt; brother, Harley Paul Pritt; one grandson, whom she raised as her own, Robert Lee Covert; great-grandchildren, Aaron Lowe and Cheylynn Bonnette.
Freda wasn’t just our mom, grandma and G.G., she loved all of our friends like they were part of her family. She wanted everyone to know she loved all of us.
We will still be celebrating her 100th birthday on June 11, 2022, at Westover Park Senior Pavilion. We’d love to see you there.
Friends may gather at McCulla Funeral Home, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 27, and from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. funeral service on Friday with Pastor Jim Weber officiating. Burial will follow at Beverly Hills Cemetery.
Condolences:
www.McCulla.com
