Elaine, as she was called by family and friends, was also an active churchwoman. She was a member of the Sanctuary Choir and the Eastern Stars of the First African Baptist Church, in Sharon Hill. She was a member for 35 years.

She was the wife of the late Alonzo Covert, a well-known football and track coach at Darby Township and Academy Park High Schools, in the Southeast Delco School District.

The Alonzo Covert Academic Honor Roll, at Academy Park High, was dedicated in 1999 to recognize high-achieving students.

When the wall was dedicated, Elaine told the audience, "Mediocrity was simply not accepted. Failure is when you quit. If he started something, you knew he would finish it."

She might have been speaking of her own academic standards, because she was just as opposed to mediocrity as her husband, who died in 1998 at the age of 49.

Elaine was born in Dunn, N.C., to Leonidas Eugene Cottingham and the former Rosalie Fairly. She was the middle child of seven.

Arriving in Philadelphia, she graduated from West Philadelphia High School and began her college career at Shaw University, in Raleigh, N.C. She went on to Cheyney University from which she received a degree in elementary education. She later earned a degree in special education there.

She met her future husband at Cheyney.

Elaine spent most of her career in the Philadelphia School District at the Dr. John P. Turner Middle School.

"She encouraged students to believe in themselves," friends and family wrote in an obituary. "She was an advocate for the welfare of children, and her dedication and expertise helped shape the minds of the children she loved."

Illness forced her to retire in June 2008.

"Elaine had a smile that would light up a room, a voice that was music to your ears, and a laugh that was infectious," family and friends said.

"Soft-spoken and with a loving heart, Elaine thrived on making others happy and always saw the good in everyone. Forever the optimist, she always offered encouraging words to help others resolve their challenges."

Although she wasn't the oldest in her family of six siblings, Elaine "always displayed a motherly instinct towards her brothers and sisters."

Elaine enjoyed traveling. She visited Europe and had a special fondness for Sedona, Ariz. She recently returned from a trip to Hawaii.

She was also a devoted gardener and liked to take in shows and plays, take walks and dine out with family and friends.

She is survived by a daughter, Dana Maria Covert; two brothers, Charles and Steven Cottingham, and two sisters, Patricia Johnson and Jackie Montague. She was predeceased by two brothers, James and Leonidas Jr.

Services: 11 a.m. Friday at First African Baptist Church, Clifton and Laurel avenues, Sharon Hill. Friends may call at 9 a.m. Burial will be in Westminster Cemetery, Bala-Cynwyd.