Novaline Sue Drywater

Novaline Sue Drywater, known to all simply as Nov, left this world with the same grace and humor she carried throughout her life, on August 12, 2024, in her hometown of Tahlequah, OK, where she first made her grand entrance on September 14, 1964. Novaline's laughter filled the room and her presence made every moment a little brighter, a little funnier, and a whole lot more memorable.
Novaline's journey began after Sequoyah High School, and she dedicated 36 years to caring for others as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Her selflessness and loving nature were not just her career, but a calling, one that she answered with unparalleled devotion. She was the kind of person who would give you a kidney if you needed it, but would probably ask for it back if you didn't.
Her life was a tapestry woven with love for her family. She was the beloved wife of Greg Sonny Steeley, and together they navigated the wild ride of life, love, and laughter. Novaline was a mother hen to her daughters Latisha, Jennifer, and Sunni, and a superhero to her grandchildren Dacee, Brenlei, Jaya, and Easton. And let's not forget the newest twinkle in her eye, her great-grandbaby Adeya, who surely inherited Novaline's mischievous twinkle.
Novaline was preceded in death by her father Ross Drywater, her mother Josephine Dreadfulwater, and her brothers Allen, Jess, and Wesley who are probably already arguing with her about who has the best wings – angels or chickens. Her mother-in-law Pat Steeley, sister-in-law Judy Steeley and her two loyal dogs, Maxx and Mini, also left before her, no doubt to ensure the welcome party was up to par.
Novaline's interests were as eclectic as her sense of humor. She was the queen of crafts, the puzzle master, and the undefeated champion of phone games – just try to beat her high score, she dared you. But if you really wanted to see Novaline in her element, you'd find her at the ball fields, keeping the scorebook for her favorite team, "Whassup." She claimed it was the best way to avoid doing actual exercise.
Arguing with her cat Piper was a daily ritual, one that Novaline insisted she won more often than not. Piper, on the other hand, remained smugly silent on the matter, as cats do. Novaline's sense of humor was as sharp as a tack, and she never missed an opportunity to crack a joke, whether it was at a family gathering or while waiting in line at the grocery store. She was the embodiment of the saying, "If you didn't laugh, you'd cry," and she chose laughter every time.
Novaline's legacy is one of joy, laughter, and the kind of stubborn selflessness that made the world a better place. She was the embodiment of love and the life of the party, even if that party was just an afternoon of playing fetch with Piper, who never quite got the gist of it.
She leaves behind a world that is a little less bright without her, but her spirit will live on in every chuckle, every prank played, and every time someone chooses to laugh in the face of adversity. Novaline Sue Drywater, the woman who lived life like a firecracker, will be dearly missed and fondly remembered as the one who could always light up the room, even if it was just with her phone screen while winning another round of Candy Crush.
So, here's to Novaline, a woman who showed us that life is what you make it, and she made hers one heck of a ride. Keep the laughter going, folks; it's what she would have wanted.