Novella Anna Maria Gatlin, affectionately known as Mother Wood, 79, of St. Louis, MO had her last earthly dance on April 4 ^th , 2022, at the Gatlin Estates in Houston, Texas with diamonds in her ears and a sly smile on her beautiful face. After living a life full of accomplishments and service, she decided that she was ready for a new dance floor. Novella was the loving daughter of Flossie Louise Carter and George Thompson. Novella served her country as a member of the U.S. Army's historic WACs, spent decades serving the citizens of University City, MO in various accounting and revenue roles. Novella held several executive offices for Credit Professionals International and was a renowned speaker. However, it was her work for the St. Louis chapter of Junior Achievement that she was most proud of. She took great care in educating her "babies" on financial literacy and giving them permission to dream beyond their circumstances. Novella took great pride and joy in being a member of the Sag Queens of Houston, TX.

Now that we got that out of the way, let's "get down to the good part." We hope you weren't expecting an ordinary obituary for an extraordinary woman. Novella Anna Maria Gatlin lived life to the limit and loved it alive. She did everything her way and on her terms. Novella was bold, brilliant, effervescent, intelligent, wise, gorgeous, graceful, giving, strong, a survivor, a fighter, diplomatic, well read, well-traveled, loving, and most importantly well-loved.

Novella enjoyed a romance that people think only exist in books and movies. On March 3 ^rd , 2022, she celebrated 60 wonderful years of marriage (they met when she was seven) to her beloved Alton "Lee" Gatlin. When Novella left for New York to serve her country, Lee relocated to New York to claim his "rib." They enjoyed life in Brooklyn, New York before relocating to St. Louis. Upon arrival to St. Louis Lee and Novella brought forth the gift of a bold and outspoken baby girl, Kimberly Ann Gatlin. Big Sis Kim gave permission to her parents to give her a precocious and mischievous baby brother, Michael-David Gatlin ten and a half years later.

Novella is joining Nana's Baby Michael-David Gatlin II who's already went up yonder. She's getting the dance floor warm for her loving and doting husband Lee who spoiled her in every way known to man and then some. Her children, Michael and Kimberly are resting up because they know Mommy will run them ragged when she sees them again. Fur baby Cooper misses his Nana, and we promise to scratch him under his chin for you. Patricia King, her niece, and BFF will be soaking her feet and waiting to dance again. Novella leaves memories to her nephew George, niece Sharon, and Nephew Larry who was keeping the dance floor warm for her, and the Grandmother/Auntie vibes to her grandnieces and grandnephews. Kevin, Chloe, Dazia, Kaliyah, and Hope, you know she loved each of you tremendously! Of course, there is her God-daughter Angela Stevens and God-granddaughter Kelley Sam-you would have thought they came from her womb as her love extended all boundaries. If you knew her, you would know how much she loved her Soul-children Chilli Love, Erica Hines, Katyia Brown. Gidget Love, Paulette Edwards, and Christopher Wiseman. Her Soul-daughters gave her Soul-grandchildren, Diesel Love, Elijah, and Noah Hines. All of the aforementioned are beats to her heart.  There is simply not enough room to mention all of the cousins and friends that loved her and that she loved back, but you know her love was infinite.

Novella became a bit of Houston socialite and social media star in the last twenty years of her life. She impacted thousands of her "babies" with homespun knowledge and wisdom. She adopted all of her children's friends as her own and took tremendous joy in helping them along their journey.

We cry tears of sadness juxtaposed with smiles of joy. You gave us marching orders with your words, "Babies, we riding droptops until the casket drops. As long as the world keeps spinning, the game don't stop." No worries, your babies will continue to spoil daddy just like we spoiled you.

We would say rest well, but we know you're about to put heels on, spray some exquisite perfume, get fly, have a drink, light a cigar, and dance eternity away until we see you again. Be sure to kiss Michael -David for us and tell him that his Daddy, Auntie Kimberly, and Granddaddy Lee miss him dearly.

Instead, of saying goodbye we'll say "Ciao, baby! Why? 'Cause Mother Wood said that."

Love eternally,

"The World"

Arrangements are under the direction of Allen Dave Funeral Home

2103 Cypress Landing Road Houston, Texas 77090. (P)713-480-2966 (F)713-634-2707.