Mary Lucille Covault

Lu was born to BG and Ethel Gamble of Welch, Oklahoma on March 10, 1921. She was a sister to nine siblings: Juanita, Leonard (PJoe), Nadine, Burnice, Julia Ann (Judy), Thomas, Virgil, Rodney, and Evelyn Kay; a wife of forty years to Lloyd Covault, a mother of two to Sheron and Lloyd (Buz), a grandmother to Christy and Robert, a great-grandmother of eight to Shelby, Sydney and Trey; Bryan, Jason, Keadan, Addison and Gunner and a great-great grandmother to Olivia.
Shortly after graduating high school, Lu was diagnosed with Tuberculosis. Upon doctor’s orders to move to a dry climate, she and her parents chose Phoenix, Arizona to call home where she became a true “Rosie the Riveter” working in a Defense Plant building radiators for B-17’s. In 1944, she met and married Lloyd Covault who most knew as Doc. They had two children; Lloyd Covault (Buz) and Sheron Antczak. Lu’s diverse professions included a restaurateur, a decorator in a drapery and upholstery shop, a seamstress, a thoroughbred horse owner!
Nearing their 40th wedding anniversary, Doc passed away and within a few years Lu decided to move to San Antonio, Texas to be closer to her two grandchildren. As soon as she was settled into her home, Lu joined Northwood Presbyterian Church where she made many friends. While the grandchildren were in their teenage years Lu, known to them as “Gran”, felt the importance of introducing them to their Native American heritage. They traveled to Oklahoma as often as possible to attend annual business meetings and Pow Wows. In 2002, Lu was selected to become the Elder Princess for the Pow-Wow. Great-grandchildren started arriving just as Lu began to feel “old” (76). Her cup runneth over as she was blessed with eight great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter giving her a new zest for life.
If she wasn’t able to go fishing (her favorite pastime), you would never catch Lu watching anything except her favorite sport, horse racing. She especially loved the Kentucky Derby so she could get her bets down and cheer her horse home! Or you could find Lu in her chair with a ball game on, volume up, so it sounded live. Fortunately, her son and grandchildren alike gave her hours of joy while attending their games. She always tried her best to be at any and every event for them all. In her spare time she enjoyed sewing, reading and playing board games which she usually won!
During her full life of 97 years her presence never failed to fill the air with joy, love and laughter. There is no doubt that Lu touched many lives and was a light to us all, a one of a kind. In the loving arms of her daughter, Lu took her final journey home to Heaven. Her spirit lives on in those she loved and will forever be missed.