1961 The Roar Carrollton High School Carrollton, Dallas Co., Texas Senior Class

 

OBITUARY   Dee's Obituary Zelma Dee Covington Belew, beloved wife of Charles Edward Belew, was present with the Lord Jesus Christ December 24, 2018. She lived in Frisco, Texas. Dee Dee was born to Pete and Zelma Mae Covington October 21, 1942. She is survived by her sister Nina Mason of Plano, TX; and two brothers, Kelly of Dawson, TX, and Kirby Covington of Krugerville, TX. Her siblings called her Dee Dee. She was mother to and survived by daughters Stefanie Galloway Cox (McKinney), Paige Belew Akard and husband John (Houston), son Cash Belew and wife Jami (McKinney), and daughter Carly Belew Engibous and husband Ryan (Houston). Her children called her Mama. She was blessed with and survived by 7 grandchildren: Nathan Cox (McKinney), Jonathan Cox (McKinney), Abigail Akard (Houston), John Akard III (Houston), Isaac Engibous (Houston), Isabel Engibous (Houston), and Shiloh Engibous (Houston). Her grandkids called her Mimi. Dee had an amazing daily caregiver - Odilia Lemaster - who is more family than friend and provided the most loving and compassionate care of Dee in her last years of life. Odilia called her Dee. She graduated from Carrollton High School, class of 1961, and still kept in touch with her classmates after 50+ years. Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, she fought the progression of the disease for 35 years. Dee was adored and loved deeply by her husband Charles. He had many names for her - Zola being a favorite. They enjoyed 47 years of marriage, recently celebrating their anniversary in early December 11, 1971 in Las Vegas, NV. They enjoyed traveling to Colorado and California together after their retirement from the funeral business in 2001. Charles and Dee owned and operated Belew Funeral Home in McKinney, Texas from 1989-1996. Dee ran the front office of the funeral home, arranged flowers, met with grieving families, and made everyone she encountered feel as if they were the most important person in the world. She was kind, loving, compassionate and gentle. We all knew her by many names - Dee, Dee Dee, Zelma Dee, Mama, Mimi, or Zola. Whatever name she was called by the people she encountered, a few things remain the same for all that knew her: she was generous with her time, always present, and she loved to give gifts. She never complained of her disease or pain. Instead, in moments of pain, she would pray for her children aloud until she could speak no more. We grieve that she is absent from the body here on earth. We rejoice that she is present with Jesus. We miss her voice, her touch and her presence. We are thankful that she had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and we rejoice in hope knowing that she is pain free, whole and restored, and singing and dancing in heaven. “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” I Thessalonians 4:13-14 Visitation will be held 10:00AM-11:30AM, Saturday, December 29, 2018 at Slay Memorial Chapel in Aubrey, TX and the funeral service will begin at 11:30AM. Burial will follow at Alvord Cemetery in Alvord, TX. Online condolences may be shared at www.slaymemorialfuneralhome.com. Memorial donations may be made to Hope Cottage, 609 Texas Street, Dallas, Texas 75204. Arrangements are under the direction of Terri Slay and Slay Memorial Funeral Center.

Notes:

• In Memoriam - Carrollton High School - Class of 1961
• Find-A-Grave Memorial #195640929