Kelly Lynn Covington

Kelly Lynn Decker Covington, or Turtle to her close friends, sadly took her life in her home on Monday, June 3, in Wilmington, NC at the age of 49. Kelly is survived by her loving fiancée, Fred Vargas of Wilmington, NC, sweet kitties Kimba Covington and Hera Covington of Wilmington, NC, father F. Ronald Decker of Stafford, VA; nephew Ethan Decker, niece Noelle Decker, and sister-in-law Leah Decker of Alexandria, VA; niece Mindy Allen-Courtney of Millstadt, IL; and half-sister Teresa Decker-Sutton of Belleville, IL. She is preceded in death by her adoring mother, Marlene Rose Lebon Mayer of Rockledge, FL, stepfather Fred Mayer of Rockledge, FL, and brother Scott G. Decker of Alexandria, VA. Kelly was born on December 3, 1969 in Baltimore, MD. She lived the majority of her life in the Virginia/Maryland area, always calling Fredericksburg, VA her home. In August 2011, she embarked on a new adventure, moving from her home town to the Atlantic coastal town of Wilmington, NC in pursuit of new opportunities and to live the serene salt life she'd dreamed of. Kelly had the biggest heart ever, willing to give up the shirt on her back to bring those closest to her the happiness she yearned. Her spirit animals were the turtle and the cat. The turtle represented her gentle nature, the bite she had to stand up for her convictions, and the hard shell she built around herself for protection. The cat represented her soft, delicate side; her reclusive, introspective nature; and her wandering ways. She was fiercely courageous, always willing to take leaps of faith in search of happiness. Despite her perseverance, various heath complications over the last two years of her life robbed her of the life she'd dreamt of - but she never stopped dreaming, her most endearing quality. She loved to her core and was loved in return more than she'd cared to admit. Kelly entered this life on a ray of sunshine and left riding the same ray of sunshine. Please share your condolences and post any photos and videos you may have either to this web page, Google Photos ( https://photos.app.goo.gl/J3Yc4Vkok6SxLhmk6 ), or her Facebook page ( http://www.facebook.com/kellycovington ). Kelly's story should live on in our hearts until we meet again.