Novella Harrington Reaves

For ye are the Temple of the living God”2 Corinthians 6:16On September 14, 1912, heaven rejoiced over God’s appointed hour for the earthly arrival of a daughter who would become the embodiment of one of the favorite songs of the Gospel, “God Has a Way That’s Mighty Sweet.” For on this day was born Novella Harrington, daughter of Walter Scott Harrington, a slave who was freed at the age of 17, and Mary Mark Harrington. Novella was the youngest o twelve children. Novella received her education in the school system of Lee County, North Carolina. She was known for her thirst for knowledge, her creativity, and her athletic abilities in the area of track and field-specifically relay running. Novella’s appreciation of knowledge would follow her throughout her entire life. As and adult, she completed a host of scholastic and vocational education programs. Novella was an exceptional artist, and to this day, her body of work is displayed throughout the homes of several family members. By the summer of 1926, a breathtakingly beautiful young woman had emerged. Her physical beauty was even more amplified by the beautiful soul and spirit that would define her character and demeanor. In July 1926, the ethereal Novella captured the heart of Neal Reaves. Sr. and they were married on March 9, 1928. Although Novella was a mere 15 years old and Neal was just 17 on their wedding day, this union of holy matrimony lasted for over 60 years, until on November 7, 1988, when God called home the one and only man Novella had ever known. Even as senior citizens, many would marvel at and comment on the open display of love and affection still generating between the two teenagers who had become pop Reaves and Mother Reaves. This life-long union brought forth 15 children. Novella lost her mother as a young child. Therefore, she committed her life to ensuring that her children would never know the misfortune of not having one of the greatest gifts on earth-the love of a mother anointed by God. She was filled with so much love that she accomplished the seemingly impossible. She made each one of her thirteen surviving children feel as if they were her favorite. Mother fiercely protected them-for it was her position that there was no sacrifice too great for the well being of her family. Novella was known as “MOTHER” by everyone that knew her-children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends of her children, co-workers of her children, her church family, and the numerous friends who embraced her. The aura of Mother was so magnetic and powerful that in her presence you knew that you were in the presence of a phenomenal woman of God. How could such a gentle spirit possess and inner strength that would reach out and make the broken and rejected feel so loved? How could such a soft-spoken one speak words with the effect of balm to the soul? How could a paragon of beauty, grace, and elegance also be meek and humble? God Has A Way that’s Mighty Sweet. In her early twenties, Novella was baptized and received God’s gift of eternal life-the Holy Ghost. Mother Reaves began her walk with the Lord under the ecclesiastic Tutelage of Bishop Joseph Turpin. She continued her walk under the guardianship of Bishop Winfield A. Showell, and was an active member of the First Apostolic Faith church for many years. Mother Reaves served the Lord through many ministries, including music, missionary, usher, spiritual advisor, and anything God required of her. Mother Reaves tirelessly supported her husband, Elder Neal Reaves, Sr. in his ministry of preaching the word of God. In 1973, she joined her son Bishop Alfred R. Reaves initially as a member of “The Jesus Associates,” and subsequently at the Church of New Covenant where she served as pianist, choir member. President and President Emeritus of the Missionary Board. One of Mother’s greatest loves was the Missionary Outreach. As a young missionary she became tenacious and fearless in God’s requirement to minister to those in need. There was no situatio0n too large, small, or dirty for her to apply her hand. On Sunday morning, March 2002, in accordance with His perfect will, the Lord transformed the bedside of Mother Novella Reaves into a Cathedral of Love. As only He could, the God of all comfort communed with her, and carried His daughter safely to her eternal Home. Now, this Woman After God’s Own Heart, High Priestess, Royal Heiress To His Majesty’s Throne is in the presence of the Lord. She is this time, eternally with Elder Neal Reaves, Sr., her first born, Brother Neal Reaves, Jr., her baby boys who God elected to take back at birth, her very special Gail, and all those saints who overcame. God Has A Way That’s Mighty Sweet.Still surviving in “MOTHER’S” love are five generations including seven sons, James, Marion, Johnnie, Alfred, Timothy, Michael and Joel, four daughters, Mary D. Jackson, Joyce A. Gillard, Janet S. Green, and Pamela Reaves-Scriber; four daughters -in –law, Marlene Reaves, Odell Reaves and Denise Smith-Reaves; four sons-in-law, Joseph Jackson Sr., Thomas Gillard, Paul Green and Reginald Scriber; twenty-six grandchildren, thirty great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren and one great-great-great grandchild; on sister-in-law, Helen Reaves; cousins, her church family and a host of friends.

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Novella Harrington Reaves

September 14, 1912 - March 3, 2002