The son of Elbert, Sr. and Elke King Covington of Columbus, Elbert was a native of Columbus who attended the G. W. Carver High School where he was active with the Drum Line. He was baptized at First African Baptist Church, and formerly worked at Subway and Krystal on Buena Vista Road. He was also employed with his family at ERCO Ventures and Progressive Funeral Home, Inc.

Elbert was preceded in death by his great grandmother, Mrs. Anna Benjamin and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. George W. Ford, Jr. Survivors include: his parents, Elke K. Covington and Elbert, Sr. and Evergreen Covington; his beloved grandmother, Mrs. Christine King; five children, Elbert,III, Zmir, E'yonna, Royal and Kaison; his siblings, Evon J. Coppins, Ronald F. Q. Reeves (Andrea), Dafney V. Thomas, and George E. Covington; his beloved nieces, Kyara, Alleyah and Kayleigh Coppins, Tillford Y. Thomas III, Ariyah and Ronald Reeves, Jr.; a host of loving aunts and uncles, cousins, relatives and friends.