Dolores J. Shumar Covert

Dolores Shumar Covert, formerly of Mt. Pleasant, passed away peacefully early Tuesday morning, Jan. 21, 2014, at her home in Knoxville, Tenn., after a brief bout with abdominal cancer. She was 86. She'll be happily remembered and deeply missed as a loving wife, energetic mother, youthful grandmother, gregarious jewelry seller, generous giver, devoted organist and the best alto in town. She is survived by her son, Craig and his wife, Rhonda, of Knoxville, Tenn.; and three grandchildren, Janelle Covert Easter and husband, Britt, of Graniteville, S.C., Chad and his wife, Kelly Covert, of Knoxville, Tenn., and Krista Covert. She is also survived by her brother, Russell Shumar Jr. and wife, Sally King Shumar, of Mt. Pleasant; sister, Dorothy Shumar Bell and husband, Jay, of Greensburg; sister-in-law, Sandra Kastner Shumar, of Wasilla, Alaska; and sister, Patty Shumar Buschek, of Greensburg. She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Ernest "Jug" Milton Covert Jr.; brother, Gene Shumar, of Wasilla, Alaska; father, Russell Shumar Sr.; and mother, Helen Komarny Shumar. She graduated from Ramsay High School in Mt. Pleasant in 1945 and held various jobs over the years, from Christian bookstore manager to her final and long-held position in jewelry sales at Woods Jeweler's in Mt. Pleasant. Her retirement and move to Knoxville, Tenn., in 2006 was featured in the Mt. Pleasant Journal. Customers still ask for her by name or appearance, which was always impeccable, and she was known as much for her quick wit, quicker smile and classic taste as her ability to sell a diamond. She was a majorette for Ramsay High School, an organist and pianist at the Hempfield Church of Christ, but was probably best known as the alto singer in The Heavenaires, a gospel trio with husband, Ernie, and her sister, Patty. They sang together in countless tri-state area churches for more than 30 years. More than anything, Dolores was generous, quietly meeting the needs of friends, acquaintances and strangers as she learned of them. She was a dedicated card sender with an uncanny ability to pick just the right card, always underlining just the right words. It was her hallmark. She was a supporter of The Restoration House of East Tennessee, a nonprofit that helps restore single mothers and their children to back to God's good intent for their lives. Dolores' family is inviting friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, 2014, to SALOOM-REGA FUNERAL SERVICE, 730 W. Main St., Mt. Pleasant (724-547-2122). A memorial service will follow at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, at the Hempfield Church of Christ, 144 Hugh Black Road, Greensburg, PA 15601. A final memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014, at West Towne Christian Church in Knoxville, Tenn., where she was a member. Please visit www.saloom-rega.com to send a condolence, Richard Rega, funeral director. Friends wishing to make contributions in Dolores' honor can contact The Restoration House of East Tennessee at 8912 Town and Country Circle, Suite 2, Knoxville, TN, 37923, or www.therestorationhouse.net or 865-200-5406. Her favorite song was "No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus." On Tuesday, she learned just how true those words are.