Mary Novella Threat

Mary Novella Threat, age 95, passed away October 24, 2023, in Cordova, Tennessee. Novella was born August 28, 1928, in Amagon, Arkansas to parents H. P. Ward and Gertie Bobo Ward. Novella attended school through the ninth grade but had to leave school to help her parents with the farming. As sharecroppers the family moved quite often and to areas all over northeast Arkansas. In 1937 the family survived the flood of the Mississippi River and at one point lived only in a tent. They then later relocated to the Forrest City area. During World War II Novella met Dorothy Threat and they became best friends. Novella and Dorothy spent a lot of time writing to soldiers. One of these soldiers (Dorothy’s brother) was James Joe Threat. After the war Joe wanted to meet the girl that wrote the letters to him. After a courtship they were married on November 22, 1946. Their first child, Joanna, was born in 1948 but she only lived about a month. Two years later Novella and Joe had a son, James Rickey and three more children followed, Phillip in 1953, Holly in 1957, and Sherry in 1961. While her children were growing up Novella worked at various places in Forrest City to help with family finances. These places included Moody’s Cleaners, The Pants Factory, Warwick Electronics, and Sanyo Manufacturing. After years of being a mom and working outside the home Novella got her GED and later attended East Arkansas Community College. In 1978 Novella was blessed with her first grandchild Katrina and two more blessings soon came along. James “Jay” was born in 1980 and Leigh was born in 1984. After losing Joe on July 1, 1997, Novella lived alone for several years but she stayed busy with gardening and socializing with friends. She loved to give sprigs from her flower garden so that she could share her beautiful flowers. Novella often attended the senior dances in the Forrest City area. At one dance she met Arthur Shankle who became a special friend, and they shared the love of dancing and traveling until his death in 2008. Novella enjoyed life and loved meeting people and traveling. Her daughter, Holly took her on several trips which included Branson and locations in the northeastern United States. Novella also went on an Alaskan cruise with her daughter, Sherry, and she visited her children in Maryland, Seattle, and Alabama as often as possible. When Novella’s health got to the point that she could no longer live alone she moved to Cordova, Tennessee to live with her daughter, Sherry. She resided there for 11 years. In her final illness she was cared for by Bernard Curry and Sandra Egerson. The family would like to express their dear thanks for going above and beyond with their wonderful care. Novella was a member of Ragland Memorial Presbyterian Church in Forrest City and a regular attendee of Hope Presbyterian Church in Cordova, TN since 2012. Visitation for Novella will be held from 1 PM until 2 PM at Stevens Funeral Home in Forrest City, AR. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2023, at 2 PM at Stevens Funeral Home. Burial will be held in Forrest Park Cemetery, Forrest City, Arkansas. Stevens Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. You may sign an online guestbook at www.stevensfuneralhome.net

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Mary Novella Threat

August 28, 1928 - October 24, 2023