On June 21, 2007 Emma Novella Colbert (Wawa) was called to her "Big House" in the sky. Novella was born February 23, 1918 in Chapel Hill, MD.

Left to cherish her memories are four sisters Sheila Swann, Isabella Johnson, Leola Colbert, Gwendolyn Covington; one sister-in-law Elaine Colbert, devoted nieces and nephews William Colbert (Penny), Rodney Gilbert, Clara Colbert, Chris Colbert, Beebee Colbert, Debbie Johnson (Jeff), Richard Colbert (Mimi), Christine Colbert-Mitchell (Mark). A special cousin Catherine Brown, 11 nieces, 10 nephews, 24 great-nieces, 27 great-nephews and a host of other relatives and special friends. She also leaves to mourn Junior and Sulton Jones who thought of her as their mother.

She was the daughter of the late William and the late Catherine Colbert. Also preceding her in death, were three brothers, Earl, Rudolph, William (Lil' Bill) and one sister, Christine Brent, one aunt, Sadie Wilson, two nephews, Preston Johnson and Ralph Swann, one niece, Jackie Colbert, and one great-niece, Valiska "BooBoo" Coleman.

She joined the church at an early age. She has been a member of Grace United Methodist Church since her baptism. She sung in the choir. She enjoyed listening to gospel music everyday and her favorite hymn was "Ride Out Your Storm." She always said that Grace United Methodist would be her home church even though she visited other churches.

She was educated in the Prince Georges County public schools, and to further her education she went to Randall School in Washington, DC. After her mother died in 1958, she came home and became the mother of her siblings.

She held various domestic jobs until she went into the Federal government. First employed at the Government Printing Office then to the General Accounting Office until her retirement in 1982. Then she started the job that she loved most and that was taking care of her nieces, nephews and other relatives. This was when she was given the name "WaWa".

She touched the life of everyone that came in contact with her in some way or another. Her family came before anything and everything else in her life. She felt as though she had a beautiful family. She made everyone feel welcome when they came to her home.

She was most happy when she was preparing a meal for anyone that came to visit. Everybody wanted to eat WaWa's fried chicken.

We would like to thank the Lord for sharing her with us for 89 years. There are not enough words to express how much we will miss her.
Sadly submitted,
The Family

Her Viewing will be held on Friday, June 29, 2007 from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm at Thornton Funeral Home Chapel, 3439 Livingston Road (State Route #227) Pomonkey, Maryland and on Saturday, June 30, 2007 at Grace United Methodist Church, 11700 Old Fort Road, Fort Washington, Maryland. Viewing 9:00 am until time of Service, 10:00 am. Her Interment will be in Resurrection Cemetery, Clinton, Maryland.