Jane Covington Needham

Mrs. Jane Covington Needham, 88, of Mount Airy, passed away peacefully on Monday morning, September 21, 2026, at the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson.

Mrs. Needham was born April 14, 1938, in Stokes County, one of three daughters born to the late Carl Raymond and Bertha Bullington Covington. Jane grew up on a farm in Pilot Mountain, where for the first five years of her life, the family lived without running water or electricity. When she was six years old, the Covington family moved into town, where they enjoyed the conveniences of electricity and running water. Jane remained at home with her parents until graduating from Pilot Mountain High School.

Following high school, Jane attended Montreat College for a time before leaving to marry Billy W. “Bill” Needham in 1955. In 1956, the Needhams welcomed their first son, Carl William “Little Bill,” and five years later, their second son, Raymond Douglas “Doug.” In the early 1960s, Jane and Bill made their home in Mount Airy, where they would spend the remainder of their married life.

Throughout the years, Jane worked in a variety of positions, including at Owens Jewelry Store, Airmont Florist, The Mount Airy Times, Surry Community College, Research Industries, and FTD Design. Her creativity and artistic talent were recognized through various awards from the Mount Airy Junior Women’s Club, the North Carolina Women’s Club, and the North Carolina Zoo. She also worked in the home care division of Northern Hospital of Surry County for 14 years.

Jane’s love of music was evident in her service as assistant pianist at Grace Moravian Church, where she was also a longtime member of the John Walker Sunday School Class and served as its past president. She found great joy in home decorating and especially enjoyed her involvement with the Red Hat Society. Jane never forgot a holiday or birthday and was known for making each occasion special for those she loved. She also had a knack for putting together one very good pot of spaghetti.

She is survived by two sons, Carl William Needham (Ginger) of Calabash and Raymond Douglas Needham (Tammy) of Mount Airy; three grandsons, Brandon Needham (Carmel) of Charleston, SC, Nicholas Needham of Raleigh, and Logan Needham (Miranda) of Waynesville; a stepgrandson, Brandon Sawyers of Mount Airy; a great-stepgrandchild, Bristol Sawyers of Mount Airy; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Needham was preceded in death by two sisters, Madge Denny and Sue Lackey.

A service of worship and celebration of Jane’s life will be held Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Grace Moravian Church, with the Rev. Andrew Heil officiating. Inurnment will follow in God’s Acre. The family will receive friends Saturday from 1:00 to 2:00 PM at the church.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to Jane’s caretaker, Vivian Milner, for all her loving care and support.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace Moravian Church, 1401 North Main Street, Mount Airy, NC 27030; or the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home, P.O. Box 325, Dobson, NC 27017.

Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy is serving the family.