Mary Novis Jones Davis was born on April 19, 1928 in Clarksville, Red River County,Texas to the late Philip Arden and Mattie Bell Tapp Jones. She was the second child and only daughter of their three children.
Novis, as she was generally called, had a modest upbringing. As the daughter of two educators, she was a studious girl, an avid reader, musician (played the piano), and completing word puzzles and enjoyed sewing. During her retirement, Novis enjoyed fishing and introduced this pastime to several of her grandchildren.
Novis graduated from Texas College with a Bachelor of Science Degree at the age of 19, and later earned a Master's Degree in Education from Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona.
In her professional life, she dedicated over four decades of her time and talents to the education of young people at the elementary and middle school levels. During her expansive teaching career, she positively impacted thousands of students in the Tucson, Eloy and Phoenix, Arizona school systems, specializing in the subjects of Mathematics, Science, English, U.S. History and reading. She often taught summer school.
In addition to her storied teaching career, Novis was very active in her community, working with local government and civic organizations to improve conditions intended to help stem the incidence of crime in her city. She was a long-time member of the Methodist Church, having served faithfully in various roles of responsibility, including Sunday School teacher and Superintendent of Christian Education.
Novis will long be remembered as a strong, loving, kind and committed Christian mother, grandmother, daughter, wife, aunt, cousin and friend. On Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at the age of 95, Mary Novis answered the Master's call and peacefully transitioned from her earthly home into the Heavenly realm.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her brothers: Attrell B. Jones and Thanett Tapp Jones; and husband, Sammy Davis.
She leaves to cherish her memory three sons: Ron (Sue), Michael (Opal) and Bruce; a daughter, Sharon; stepchildren: Linda, Richard, Gail, Victor, Kenny, Sabrina, and Jeanette; nephews: Chaucer, Raymond (Rose) and Christopher (Sherry) Jones; niece Judith (Tony) Robinson and a host of great nieces and nephews; twenty-two grandchildren, over 40 great-grandchildren, and countless loved ones, extended family and friends.
Serving as pallbearers are Michael Clark, Adryan Williams, Fredrik Chris Jones, Sharief Clark, Moussa Sissoko, Fousseyne Sissoko, Bruce Clark, Ron Clark, Chaucer Jones, Raymond "Ray" Jones and Sharon Sanogo.
