Feel your feelings. It’s natural to worry and be afraid at a

Pastor Empey

First Corinthians 10:23-24 “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. 24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.”

David Jeremiah is one of my morning devotionals. I borrowed his title, Strengthen One Another. On April 27th his devotional struck my heart in regard to where we are in our troubled society today. The pressures and uncertainty are huge right Pastor Charles Empey

Columnists For The Record

now. We have been quarantined, set apart from each other by government and personal agreement to hopefully slow and eliminate a virus sweeping the world. This has stymied our interaction with one another. Society had already become more of a “me, me, me” society. This absence of interaction with our fellow man has a danger to it that we need to rise above. When we are able to get back into society and interact freely, how will we treat each other? Pastor Jeremiah used our Scripture above to pen the morning devotion for that day. He wrote, “You and I are called to build up and strengthen one another. I am called to build you up. You are called to build me up. I must be very careful not to tear you down by my actions, inaction, or words. Tearing down is the polar opposite of our calling in Scripture. Edifying one another doesn’t happen accidentally. Be on your knees before God, asking Him to fill you with His Spirit and show you opportunities. Be filled with the Word of God and begin to see people as individuals who need to be built up. Fight off the inevitable distractions and interruptions.

Paul is saying, “There are many things I might do and many things I might say. But my first concern ought to be, ‘Will this build up or tear down my brother or sister in the body? (The Church)?’”

We are concentrated on getting our economy rolling again and our churches back in attendance, but these, as important as they are, must not be the primary. There is something else we need to consider, if our endeavors are to be successful in getting these two things back in place…how are we going to treat each other?

Paul was saying that my preferences, me personally cannot be the priority. It has to be others. Jesus promoted others. He came to die for others. He therefore sacrificed for others. He loved and loves His enemies unto their salvation when they are humbled enough to call out to Him to save them from their sins and condemnation. He stands ready to be a blessing to others.

How we meet each other in home, in church and in business has a direct effect upon the strength and success of our recovery from all of this. We must be peace makers, not obstinate, self serving people. What can you do for your family to promote their well being? What can can you do for your church family to promote its well being? What can you do for your customers in business to promote their well being? If our priority is not God and others when we come out of this thing, it will be a rolling disaster. Come out of this thing targeting building America serving and blessing others. Verse 24 “Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.”

Charles Empey is the Pastor of Cove Baptist Church, Orange, TX

Deaths & Memorials

Don O. Covington, 85, Orange

Don O. Covington, 85, of Orange, Texas passed away peacefully at his home on April 20, 2020.

Born on June 23, 1934, Don graduated from French High School in 1952. Soon after, he married Claire Fogal and joined the Army’s Special Forces. After receiving an honorable discharge from the military, Don and Claire settled in Orange where they would raise a family. Don began his career as a draftsman for Levingston Shipbuilding, and by 1984, as Levingston was closing, he had been promoted through V.P. of Engineering to President of the company. Afterward, he and business partners formed Texas Drydock, Inc. (TDI) in 1986. With Don serving as President and owner, TDI eventually grew to over 2,000 employees and was acquired by a public company in 1998. Don was a contemplative man with a compassionate and giving heart. He was wholly devoted to his wife of 64 years, his immediate and extended family, his work, his church, and his community. He was a member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, Propeller Club of Southeast Texas (Man of the Year in the 90’s), Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce Board, Orange Chamber of Commerce, Sabine River Authority Board of Directors (two terms as president), Toledo Bend Dam Joint Operations, and a long-standing member and frequent board chair of First Christian Church of Orange (Disciples of Christ). He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Claire Covington, his grandson, Brennan Covington, his mother, Lucille Gager, and his father, Bill Covington. He is survived by his sons Guy Covington, and wife Karen of Katy, Texas, Scott Covington of Sugarland, Texas, and Russell Covington, and his wife Jennifer of Orange, Texas. His grandchildren include Katy Tinsley, Jonathan Covington, Jordan Covington, Katrina Avinger, Griffin Covington, Callie Covington, Jayne Covington, and Lydia Covington. Great grandchildren are Max, Charlie, Allie, JT, Piper, Cora, Merritt, Witten, Tucker, Miles and Luna. A private service will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens on Friday at 11:00 AM. With respect to our current circumstances, social distancing recommendations will be observed. Serving as pallbearers are Griffin Covington, Jonathan Covington, Jordan Covington, Conner Guillotte, Dylan Knau, Todd Rash, and Lance Tinsley. Honorary pallbearers include Tilley Deleon, Mike Dolan, Jimmy Gentile, George Istre, Rachel Parker, and Earl Williams. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in honor of Don Covington to Meals on Wheels America.

Glynn Martin Fowler, Sr, 64, Bridge City

Glynn Martin Fowler, Sr., age 64, of Bridge City, passed away on Friday April 3, 2020. Glynn was a native of Port Arthur and resided in Bridge City for the past 23 years. He was a member of St. Henry Catholic Church. Glynn was employed by Kansas City Southern Railroad for 31 years before retiring in June 2015. He enjoyed outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, and camping with friends and family. However, he loved spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, and many others who called him “Paw-Paw.”

Glynn was preceded in death by his parents, Willis Marion “Bill” & Bessie Fowler, Jr. and a granddaughter Amber Brenee Duke. He is survived by his wife, Colleen; his children, Jennifer Fowler Duke of Lumberton,

Glynn Martin Fowler, Jr “Bubba”. and his wife Reina of Groves, Kelly DeCuir Holbrook and her husband Logan of Kentucky and Nathan Lane Fowler of Bridge City; his brothers, Willis Marion “Billy” Fowler III and his wife Lorraine of Longview, Lynn Fowler of League City and Benn Fowler and his wife Elaine of Walker, LA. Glynn is also survived by his grandchildren Hannah James, Elizabeth “Liz” Duke, Tori Fowler, Ethan “LB” Fowler, and Laytin DeCuir.

A private family Graveside was held on Saturday, April 11, 2020 at Green Lawn Memorial Park.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grammier-oberle. com for the Fowler family.

Maxwell Brent Pelham, 77, Bridge City

Maxwell Brent Pelham, 77, of Bridge City, Texas, passed away on April 24, 2020, in Houston, Texas.

Born in Florala, Alabama, on December 28, 1942, he was the son of Curtis Pelham and Clara (McCloud) Pelham. Maxwell proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1961 to 1965. He went on to work for DuPont Sabine River Works as a supervisor for many years before retiring. Maxwell was active in his community and was a member of many organizations including the VFW, the American Legion, and he was a 32nd Degree Mason of the Galveston Valley of the Scottish Rite. He was also very involved with the Bridge City Masonic Lodge #1345. Maxwell was a great husband, father, and grandfather, and he will be missed by all who knew and loved him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Curtis and Clara Pelham; and his siblings, Eleanor Kane, Deborah Green, and Lou Pelham. He is survived by his loving wife, Florence (Landingham) Pelham; his daughters, Stephanie Pelham and spouse Barry Foster, and Marsha Pelham; his granddaughter, Kayla Nichols and husband Alexander, all of Bridge City; and his siblings, Sandra Steel and Kenneth Pelham. Cremation is under the direction of Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. A memorial service will be held at a later date.