Nova Alice Myers Jefcoat

Our mother, Nova Alice Myers Jefcoat, passed away peacefully on December 20, 2014. Her lifelong Christian faith was rewarded as she passed in the manner she had always prayed for. She was in her own home, in her own bed, and her two sons, Alan and Jef, were with her.

Mom was 91 years old. She was born in Santa Rosa, California on August 12, 1923. Her family moved to Brea, California shortly afterwards where she met her best friend Phyllis. They were 5 years old and started kindergarten together. They would remain friends until “Aunt Phyl’s” passing 60-plus years later.

Mom and Dad met for the first time when she was 12-years old and Dad was home on leave from the Navy. Five years later they were married in the First Baptist Church in Healdsburg, California on October 15, 1940. In 1943, Dad reenlisted in the Navy Seabees. While he was away, Mom worked as a short-order waitress a telephone switchboard operator, and in the Electronics Department at Mare Island Naval Shipyard.

Their first of six children was born in Montebello, California. Five more children would follow, all born and raised in Santa Rosa, California.

When Dad was injured on the job, Mom went back to night school at Santa Rosa Junior College and earned her GED. She also earned her LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse) certificate and became a Psychiatric Technician in 1962, while working at Eldridge, Sonoma State Hospital. Mom accomplished all of this while taking care of Dad and all of us. She would study at night, sitting at the kitchen table or resting on her bed. She made sure we all went to school, did our homework, and went to church at least once a week.

Mom also worked in several of the hospitals in Santa Rosa, including: Community Hospital, Memorial Hospital, Arroyo Vista Convalescent Hospital, and Driftwood Convalescent Hospital. She finished her nursing career as a private home health nurse.

Family meant everything to mom. She did her best to help her parents and take care of us. She made all our friends feel welcome in her home. She always referred to the as “her kids” and many of them called her “Mom”. She didn’t just believe in her Christian faith, she lived it and said her prayers daily and every night. No matter her personal circumstances, she sent her tithe to her church every month for many years. She always believed that God would provide what was needed and she would never be given more than she could handle. She told us many times that she believed God’s promises, she was not afraid to die, she knew with absolute certainty that Heaven would be her reward.

Mom was predeceased by our Dad, John “Lloyd” Jefcoat; her parents, James and Bertie Myers; her brothers James Jr. (Bud) and Thomas; her sisters Mabel, Violet, and Louise. Also by one grandson, one great-great granddaughter, and one great-great grandson.

Surviving Mom are her six children: Joyce (husband Don), Alan, Dorothy, Ruth (husband Chuck), Jef (aka Lindsey), and Cheryl; her youngest sibling and sister, Beverley Ambrose, 8 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandson, and numerous nieces and nephews.

We would like to thank Laurel of Golden Umbrella and Mary Cummings, Mom’s IHSS worker for all they did to assist Mom for several years. She looked forward to your visits and enjoyed your company very much. We would also like to especially thank our brother Jef for all the care he gave Mom over the last ten years. Taking care of an aged parent is not always an easy job, but Mom knew, and we all know, that Jef did his best for Mom and she loved and appreciated all that he did for her. One of her happiest moments was seeing all six of her children gathered in her home again in June of this year. We all know how much Mom loved us. She will continue to live in our hearts forever.

Services for Mom will be held on January 2, 2015 at 10:00 am at the First Baptist Church, 20428 Poplar Street, in Burney, California. There will be a graveside service immediately following the church service. Funeral arrangements are under the care of McDonald’s Chapel of Burney. A viewing will be held at McDonald’s Chapel, 37160 Main Street, Burney, California, on Wednesday, December 31, 2014 from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Flowers may be sent to McDonald’s Chapel for those who wish to do so. All who wish to attend any of these services are welcome to do so.