Novella Adams

Novella Adams
 
Novella was born on July 3, 1917 in Breakenridge and left us on Friday October 17, 2014. For 97 years she was a beautiful spirit and a wonderful cheerful example of what love, joy and generosity were all about. She wished to leave her great tender love and great appreciation to her family, many  friends and companions. There is her daughter, Wanda Kulman of Seattle, Washington,  with whom she had a beautiful and loving relationship even though it could only be by a one-hour daily landline telephone conversation across the many miles of the rainy Pacific Northwest to the magical state of Texas. Wanda will continue to have a strong relationship with many friends in Weatherford as it is her place of birth.  Novella had a shared unique and unbreakable bond with each of her two grandsons, Brad and Rod Comfort also of Seattle. Both Novella and her grandsons knew they were “blessed.”   Michael Ray Blackstock of Dallas, is her beloved nephew and was her close friend as well as her special caregiver. Novella always said that every family should have a “Michael.”    Her niece, Tracy Bedinger of Weatherford, was by her side giving love and encouragement when it was so crucial. Because she was not afraid to give Novella a strong commitment of faith and dedication when it was needed most, Tracy became the family hero. And there is Novella’s cherished 91 year old neice, Marzelle (Margie) Gilbert of San Marcos, Texas, who always held her hand and had the heart to understand. Novella loved and was beholden to her niece, Jo Hopla from Roseville, California, who kept Novella’s daily spirits high with her many welcomed telephone calls which were made on a regular and caring basis.  Also, Novella wanted her love and appreciation to go to her dear friend, Jan Williams of Weatherford, who gave her many years of welcomed and unconditional love. There are two unique ladies who contributed much love and joy to Novella’s life. They are sisters Linda Gilbert and Meriba Vestial, both of Weatherford. They will continue to be thought of as close members of Novella’s family. Novella was a member of the Eastside Church of Christ in Weatherford for more than 30 years where her dear friends Frances and Orville Ribble gave her a spiritual and open foundation of love that made it a privilege for her to cherish all members and nonmembers  of the church . . . they all know who they are.
Everyone will miss the telling of Novella’s exciting and sometimes dangerous adventures  of living many years in some rugged parts of Oregon and Alaska. She learned to log trees and to hunt and fish alongside her long time husband, Jack May, and her beloved son, Jim May (both long deceased). The three of them moved to Weatherford in 1974 - they never looked back.
Anyone who met Novella for fifteen minutes became her friend for life. They would say  “hello” or “goodbye” and give her a “hug around the neck” as Novella so fondly loved to call them. She would laugh and say that “a hug around the neck” was her “personal” Texas expression and because each hug was filled with her kind of Texas love.
No formal family services are planned for Novella. She wanted each of her many loved ones to say “goodbye” to her in their own individual hearts. But we all say, as a last tribute to this grand lady, “thanks for the memories” and “here’s to you with a big loving Texas hug around your neck.”
 
 
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As a final and personal note, I, Wanda, Novella’s daughter, would like to mention and give  thanks to a few organizations and people who were so instrumental in helping to keep me grounded during this difficult time. They are:  All of the staff members at the Parker County Committee on Aging. They made it seem as though Weatherford was located right next door to my home in Seattle. Their “Texas Lone Star” was filled with light and is forever shining . . . thank you Barbara. 
My Appreciation also goes to the staff at Weatherford’s Health Care Center . . . thank you 
Debbie Ray.  
Weatherford’s Galbreath Pickard Funeral Chapel’s staff treated each member of my family
with gentle and caring respect . . . thank you Misty.
Finally, a sincere thank you to Kathy and to all you other wonderful people who loved and
cared for my Mother -  I will be forever grateful . . . Wanda.