Novella McGriff

Novella Wiseman was born October 21, 1921, in Welder, Texas. She was the third child born to Otto D. and Willie Mae Wiseman. There were six children. The family moved and lived in both Ballinger and Odessa, Texas.

At 15, Novella met and married Lewis Pratt. She moved with Lewis, his mother, Jessie Mae Brown, and brother Thomas Jefferson Pratt to Phoenix, Arizona. Six children were born to this union—Louis Jr., Lee Earl, Jessie, Howard, Gary, and Verdella. After several years of marriage, they divorced.

Novella met and married Hezekiah McGriff. To this union was born four children ---Hellene, Marva, Michelle, and Paul. Hezekiah brought to this union, his son, Therman.

Novella worked different jobs in her long life in Phoenix. She worked as a domestic worker, a hair dresser, and in the Roosevelt School District as a cafeteria worker, and dietician. Novella retired three different times during her working career at different jobs. She was known to stay busy.

When she first came to Phoenix, she joined what was then called, First Baptist Church. She had her children baptized in this church. She always had a deep love for this church. During her second marriage, she moved to Church of the Living God P. G. of T. She had children baptized at this church too. In her later years, she came back to First Baptist, which is now known as First Institutional Baptist Church.

Novella always requested of her children to have her live at home as long as she could. Moreover, at 96 she was still living in her home.

Preceded in her death were her parents, her sisters, and brothers, and children – Therman, Louis, Lee Earl, Jessie, and Gary.

She leaves to mourn her passing, Howard, Verdella, Hellene, Marva, Michelle and Paul. Grandchildren, countless great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

We will miss her immensely. We are proud to know that she is with our Lord. She is no longer suffering because she already has a new body. We hope she is able to see loved ones who have gone on before. And we will see her again.