Stella Covey Heldreth Lovett, 94 of Metz, WV gained her angel wings and went home to be with the Lord on August 5, 2025, at home with her family at her side. She was born December 22, 1930 in Kilarm, WV, the 11th of 12 children born to Jerry H. Covey and Mary Jane (Mollie) Underwood Covey.
She is survived by her daughter, Valerie Heldreth Breckon and son Sam and Beverly Heldreth. She was raised in the pasture field in Rachel and attended Downs Grade School of Rachel and graduated from Farmington High School in the class of 1950. Stella worked at Westinghouse, was part of the Women’s Army Corps (WACS), then worked for general industries in Elyria, OH where she made timers for bombs. She then returned to Rachel where she married Chester L. Heldreth and became a housewife and a mother of 3 children, Valerie, Samuel, and Susan. In April 1965 she became a widow when Chester was killed in a mining explosion. In 1973 she married Jack Lovett and moved to Metz, WV where they lived until his death in 1998 and then hers.
Stella attended Idamay Zion Assembly church of God for many years and was the oldest member. She was an avid sports fan. She played basketball in high school, volleyball in the army, a league bowler winning many trophies including high score 254 in a single game and high series. She played 3rd base and short stop in soft ball until she was 53, and golfed well into her 70’s. She had many many great stories to tell to her many family members about their family members.
In addition to her son and daughter, she is survived by her grandchildren Frankie and Andrew Riffle (Trenda), Amber Beatty, James Fallon, and Walter Carr, great grandchildren Elizabeth Wolfe, Elijah Beatty, Nicholas and Jacob Carr. In addition she has a multitude of nieces and nephews with many just like additional grandchildren to her. She also has a surviving son-in-law, Dave Craig.
In addition to her parents and husbands, she was preceded in death by her daughter Susan Craig, and all of her brothers and sisters and their spouses, Lloyd, Clarence, Jerry, Bessie, Louise, Bertha, Pearlene, Mary Ellen, Josephine, Eula and Mary Francis. Included to the above is her tiny great-great-granddaughter and name sake Stella Mae Francis, many nieces and nephews, and son-in-law Michael Breckon.
Thank you to her 2 special friends Julie Jones and Rose Snyder for all their love, help, and support through the years. And also special thank you to the wonderful staff of Amedysis Hospice.
Family and friends may call at Masters Funeral Home in Mannington, WV on Friday, August 8, 2025 from 12-8:00pm as well as Saturday, August 9, 2025 from 9-11:00am with funeral services beginning at 11:00am with Pastor Tom Brown and Pastor Lee Brown officiating. Following the funeral service, Stella will be laid to rest at Viewpoint Cemetery.
Condolences
💐 Forever in our heart and memories
My deepest sympathy & condolences go to you & your families. May you find peace through our Father 🙏
Sorry for your loss! She was a beautiful lady. Praying for the family 🙏
Valerie & Sam, Sorry for the loss of your Mom, Our prayers are with you. An Old Friend Bill Colvin.
My sweet Aunt Stella
How I will miss you and our many talks. You never forgot my birthday and you always kept me apprised of all the gossip - I mean news (ha ha) back home. I was always so happy when I saw your name appear on my caller ID - guess Tuesday was the last time I will see it. I will always cherish the little teddy bear you gave Tyler (which is now mine); it is sitting in the corner chair and every time I look at it, I think of you. You have always been there for me. You know you were my favorite Aunt - so don't be telling the rest of your sisters when you see them again! You will always have a special place in my heart. Thanks for all the times we reminisced about all the crazy times in the past. Val and Sam = you are in my thoughts. Aprile/Linda
Sam and Valerie So sorry for your family's loss . Love and hugs to all of you. Such a sweet lady she was kind to everyone. Memories are awesome, talk about her often
We are so sorry for your loss. Stella was a very kind person. Hank and Debbie
"Granny sis. Stella" as I called her. She was my sister in the Lord, a friend, a neighbor, also reminded me a lot of my grandmother. She will be missed and always loved. I love sitting with her and having coffee on her porch and other places. We would sing together pray together and tell stories about our lives. She was always kind to me and her family. Oh how she loved her christmas decorations. She is a true Gem that will be missed, I hope to meet her in heaven 1 day. Love and prayers for the family.
Stella made an impression on me years ago when Sam and I played Little League baseball together. She was an avoid fan and supporter.throughout our playing days in Pony League and high school. Always pleasant to talk to and she always made you feel good. She was a joy to be around from my childhood to my adult years. May she rest in peace. God bless her family.
Sam so sorry for your loss, I didn't know that your mom had passed, she was a great lady. She used to make me laugh so hard she will be surely missed by many. Hang in there buddy things will get better.
Amber and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Remember she will always be with you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all! Love & prayers your old neighbors from Metz, Jr Hanning & Rick and Myssie (Hanning) Brooks
Aunt Stell how we all will miss you and all stories n memories of the past. Most of all I will miss our talks and prayers for me as I grew from a teenager to now. Our family was one of a kind and could never be replaced. You got your wings united with them all. What a Covey reunion in heaven. Luv n miss you forever