"Of all the teachers I ever had, she was my favorite. I loved her like she was my family. Every time I have had one of my songs published or recorded I have quietly said ?thank you Mrs. Hyder."
In loving memory of
Lucile Hyder
August 21, 1926 - March 18, 2020
Eva Lucile Covington Hyder, 93, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on March 18, 2020. She was born on August 21, 1926 in Cookeville, TN to the Reverend Burgess White Covington and Ethel Grace Stucker Covington. The fourth of six children, she had fond memories of childhood with her family of eight, including time spent living in the manse at Post Oak Presbyterian Church in Algood, TN, where her father was minister for many years. He officiated her wedding there to Hollis Hyder on July 31, 1946, which sanctified a love that spanned 50 years.
Mrs. Hyder attended Berea College School of Nursing and later attended Tennessee Tech, majoring in education and English. She was a school teacher for 30 years - two years at Livingston Elementary and 28 years at Livingston Academy - and a lifelong and faithful servant of the Lord and her community. Considered a spiritual mother by many, she was active for most of her adult life with the First Methodist Church in Livingston, where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, and led prayer and Bible study groups. She warmly recalled helping to establish the Oak Street Methodist Church, where she was a pianist, Sunday school teacher and youth group leader. She particularly enjoyed leading young people to Christ, and hosted after school youth groups in her home in Henson Hills. She was a gifted researcher and writer, authoring the column "Another Line" in Overton County News and writing a series of books about her life and family history.
Mrs. Hyder was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband, Hollis Hyder, two brothers, James (Jim) Covington and William (Billy) Covington, and a sister, Helen Copeland. She is survived by her son, Ronald Hyder of Livingston, granddaughter Rhonda Hyder Moats and husband Justin of Brentwood, great-grandson, Hollis Moats, sister, Lois Lacy of Oak Ridge, brother, Dr. John Covington and wife Glenda of Hiram, GA, and many dear nieces and nephews and special friends.
Interment will be at Algood Cemetery in a private graveside service. Any memorial contributions may be made to a charity of choice or to Post Oak Presbyterian Church at 1174 Post Oak Road, Cookeville, TN 38506. Written tributes or memories are welcomed via the Speck Funeral Home website.
The family wishes to express deepest gratitude to the friends and family who have supported Mrs. Hyder in recent years. To the many people who organized and participated in the "Pennies in a Jar" Celebration of Life: Please know what a precious memory you created for her and her family. To her Eight at Eight friends, who walked with her in life and carried her on their shoulders at the end: Your love and kindness will be forever remembered.
Tributes
"Mrs. Hyder was a wonderful English teacher that i was fortunate to have for two years. She loved her students and she loved the Lord. I had so much fun in her classes because of her joy of the subject. She was small in stature but a giant in my mind."
"She was a great teacher and friend. So glad to have known her in my high school years and as Fellow member of the United Methodist Church in Livingston. She was such a nice person and inspiration."
"I so enjoyed Bible Lit class when I was a student at LA. She always made the class interesting. She was a very talented teacher and poet. I am so sorry for your loss."
"Mrs. Hyder was my Bible Lit., teacher. I bought my first NIV edition of The Bible for the class. She was well respected, held in high regard by students. this verse is so fitting of her-- His lord said to him, ?Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.? Matthew 25:21 KJV"
"Miss Hyder was a great teacher and friend of my grandparents, Vasco and Claudine Bilbrey. Always remembered her smile and charm. That great generation is almost gone. It was sure a blessing to my life to had a chance to experience those times. Bless the family in this time."
"We were all blessed to have Mrs. Hyder in our lives. She was one of the most upbeat person of anyone I knew. I was personally blessed to have her in my school and church family. We have lost a true friend with her passing, but her memories and guidance will always be a part of us. She is an example of a life well lived. Russell and Judy Warden"
"I KNEW MRS HYDER AFTER I HAD MET A RELATIVE OF HERS. SHE WAS A DEVOUT CHRISTIAN AND A TRUE PATRIOT IT WAS AN HONOR TO HAVE KNOWN HER "
"Mrs. Hyder was the most demanding teacher that I ever had. I always credit her for sailing through my college English classes. She was the person who taught me how to write. I'm so sorry to hear of her passing."
"she was the best teacher i ever had i will always be thankful for her "
"Ron: Tom and I were very sad to hear Of the passing of your Mom. We hope you and your family are doing okay. She taught me a lot in her bible Study classes. She will be missed. Tom and Carolyn O?Brien"
"Loved her. She was my Junior English teacher."
"Such fond memories of such a lovely lady. "
" Lucile expressed her Christian faith through her daily living. She was an inspiration to many through her teaching and her leadership of Bible study and prayer groups. I treasure the friendship we shared for over 55 years. Ann Troutt"
"My beautiful Aunt Lucille. She was the epitome of a Christian woman. Smart, loving, supportive, I could go on and on. We visited her and the rest of the Covington clan every year for Christmas, family reunions and just to visit over the years. As we grew older and started our own families the visits were less but we still made time at least once a year to visit and I loved sitting and talking about her life but she was always interested in mine. She may have been small in stature but she was big in life. I know you are rejoicing in heaven with all those who have gone before you. Look forward to rejoicing with you when God calls me home."
"We shared meals together many times at Jo and Lloyd?s over the years. She was always ?Aunt Lucille!? Our lives were richer for knowing her. I loved hearing her tell about meeting Beth Moore! I believe that was one of the highlights in her life! She is no doubt dancing for her Lord. If you knew her you knew about her faith. She was a dear precious lady to us. We loved her so!"
"So very sorry for your loss Ronny. What a great teacher and inspiration she was to so many people. Prayers for you all. Rita Upton"
"She was a very special Aunt and loved by all my family. She had Sunday lunch in our home every Sunday she was able. Two weeks ago was the last time she came. I know she blessed many more than just family and will be missed by all. Love you Aunt Lucile and will see you in Heaven someday."
"Lucile was a wonderful woman of God and she will be missed by this area!??"
"She was an amazing person and an awesome teacher. She was my favorite teacher in high school and encouraged me to grow. I'll never forget her kindness."
"I enjoyed having her for a teacher at LA. "
"Mrs. Hyder made a huge difference in my life. I am grateful & thankful for her as my Teacher in High School and as my Mentor/Teacher/Prayer Warrior for years in her El Shaddai Bible Studies. She has and always will have a very special place in my heart."
"Mrs. Lucile is an example of someone who truly stepped into their purpose and calling that God has given them while on this earth. She taught well!! From school, to church, to friends, and to family, she was always known as a teacher. She loved studying God's Word and sharing her insights with others. She was a woman of prayer and interceded for our nation, state, and local community! She was a quiet person, but her Christian action spoke loudly! I'm very thankful for her influence upon my life! She will never be forgotten!"
"Lucille Hyder was a wonderful and inspiring teacher and friend. God bless her. Mike McCulley "
"So sorry about Mrs. Hyder. I never had her as a teacher but remember her from when I was growing up, visiting her parents who were neighbors of ours. The Covington's were a wonderful Christian family and Mrs. Hyder carried that on eith her life. My sympathy to everyone who loved her. "
"So very sorry to hear Aunt Cile has passed. I loved her dearly ."
"I am so sorry to hear this. Prayers for the family. "
"I am so sorry to hear this. Prayers for the family. She was a very good teacher. I will always remember her. Debby Goodpasture"
"Mrs. Hyder was one of kindest and nicest people I ever met. I appreciate all the things she did for me. Mike Matheny"
"I could write a book on serious topics, Bible studies, & lessons learned; but I could also laugh my head off @ the funny times, bloopers, & antics we pulled off. Cathy O."
"I'm saddened to learn of Mrs. Hyder's passing. She was one of my favorite teachers. I learned so much from her like "you never say, "where's it at" or "where you at" something so typical in the south. seems "at" is grossly added to sentences a lot! that's only one example. there were many others. her class was strict and you had to study hard to pass. My life is so much better because of her. Knowing she is not among us any more makes me sad. My sympathy to Ronnie and all of the family. All of you were very blessed to have her, especially this many years. I'm so thankful for everything I learned from her and was always glad to see her on return trips to Livingston over these years. Definitely a life well lived. I just hope mine can be a little like her's. "
"I am so saddened to hear of Mrs. Hyder's passing. What a lovely lady she was! I was her student at LA in 1965; and it was there in her daily classroom that she (probably unknowingly) helped me understand that my secret passion for writing should not remain secret! From childhood, I wanted to write, creatively, but I felt it was considered a "strange" thing. So i hid my desire. Mrs. Hyder let me know that the written word is a gift to be shared. Thank you, Mrs. Hyder. I will never forget you. "
"Mrs. Hyder was my English teacher in high school. I feel that she taught me much about the subject. What I remember about her most was that she always treated me with respect and fairly. It would be a great thing to have more teachers in school that have her high ethics and standards."