Novella Mae Whittington

Novella Mae (Pryer) Whittington, passed away July 25, 2022 in Mercy Hospital. She was born February 12, 1940 in Spokane, MO.  She was the daughter of Earl Pryer and Mearl (Call) Pryer.  In 1959, Novella married her childhood sweetheart, John David Whittington, enjoying over 63 years of love together. 

Novella was educated in the Ozark, MO Public Schools, where many teachers, her church (Ozark First Baptist Church), and contemporaries helped form her character.  She was a member of the Ozark High School class of 1958 and was involved in numerous school activities including music and as a member of the volleyball and softball teams. 

Novella enjoyed working for over 25 years in the medical field in pediatrics and as a therapist for special needs children.  She attended Burge School of Nursing and was a Certified Medical Administrator.  For many years she has worked along side John in their business and marketing consulting company.

Novella was a long-time member of King’s Way United Methodist Church where she served on several committees and taught Sunday school for several years and enjoyed working with youth in the church.  She was a member of the Greene County Medical Society and the Springfield Symphony Guild.  She enjoyed volunteering with the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary and served as Secretary of the Auxiliary Board for several years.  Novella also volunteered for many annual MSU athletic fund-raising events.  Her main interest was any activity with her family, traveling within the United States and to many countries with John, including enjoying many cruises and, her faithful support and enjoyment of the MSU Basketball Bears, Lady Bears and Football Bears.  Her hobbies were bird watching, developing unique greeting cards for different occasions, reading, bible studies and growing flowers. 

Novella is survived by her husband, John, son, Mark, of St. Petersburg, FL. She was predeceased by her beloved son, Jeffrey, her parents, and brothers, Wilford and Wilber Pryer. She is also survived by several special nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, great, great nieces and nephews, numerous cousins, other relatives and many great friends. 

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P. M., Saturday, July 30, 2022, at King's Way United Methodist Church Sanctuary, 2401 S. Lone Pine, Springfield, MO under direction of Adams Funeral Home, Ozark, MO, with Pastor Karen Hayden officiating.  Burial will follow in the Richwood Cemetery off Fremont Road between Ozark and Nixa, MO. Visitation will be at the funeral home in Ozark from 5:00 P. M. until 7:00 P. M., Friday, July 29, 2022. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the John and Novella Whittington Endowment Fund, Missouri State University Foundation, 300 South Jefferson Avenue, Springfield, MO 65806.