Novie Elaine Hammock

Novie Elaine Cole Hammock entered the world on Saturday, November 27, 1954 (though when asked her age she was always somehow only one year older than her first born daughter). The fifth of seven children born to Aubrey and Rebecca (Jackie) Cole, she was named after the lone sisters of her father and mother, Novie Ethel and Jimmie Lane. She loved her unique name but was mostly thankful her parents didn’t opt to reverse the combination and name her Jimmie Ethel. She was raised on a small patch of farm land on the outskirts of Buna, Texas where she enjoyed loathed milking cows, picking peas, and chopping firewood, which - according to her when her children complained about their own chores - she was forced to do alone despite having six siblings.

In the fall of 1972 she attended a hayride with plans to woo the boy who held her infatuation. But when his mysterious tall, dark haired, brown eyed friend arrived on a motorcycle she quickly had a change of heart. This was the beginning of her love story with Dale, her husband, soulmate, and lifelong partner in crime. The two wed on Tuesday, June 5, 1973 while Dale was home on R&R leave from the Navy. A few years later they started a family then proceeded to take up residence in and around Houston and Austin before eventually settling with their two daughters, Maggie and Leyla, in Kirbyville, Texas.

Marrying and having children young afforded Novie and Dale the opportunity to also become empty nesters at a young age giving them more than 30 years of childless adventures together. They built beach houses on Bolivar Peninsula where she spent years entertaining family, friends, and neighbors, building sand castles with her grandkids, and dancing with any willing partner to outlaw country songs, classic rock, and anything by Willie or Waylon. She loved to travel and explore the world beyond the pines of Southeast Texas. Together she, Dale, and a variety of friend/family travel companions ate conch in the Bahamas, explored the U.S. West Coast from California to Washington on an epic road trip, saw the explosive color of the changing leaves in New England, attempted to sail a sailboat from Florida to Texas, fished for halibut in the frigid Pacific waters of Alaska, sailed the seas on multiple cruise ships to visit exotic destinations like Mexico, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Colombia, and through the Panama Canal around to Los Angeles then along the Pacific Coast to Vancouver and up to Alaska again.

She cherished hosting her kids and grandkids and when they got together it was a nonstop symphony of laughter and singing. She’d spend weeks planning the perfect menu for her family get togethers and during each meal she’d eagerly share tantalizing details of the next culinary delight that she had in store. After the table was cleared she’d inevitably break out the board games. The only thing she loved more than playing board games was winning board games. She often said “if you’re keeping score, and you’re not winning, that’s your own fault!” And if she was keeping score, you better believe she was definitely going to be the victor. She always looked forward to gathering with friends and family. She was the life of every party, and if it wasn’t a party she turned it into one. She thoroughly enjoyed music and would hold you captive for hours to listen to her endless playlists. She was kind and loving, thoughtful and gentle, fun and vibrant. An eternal optimist with an infectious smile that could melt the most hardened of hearts and brighten the darkest of rooms. She was a full body hugger who welcomed even strangers with an embrace. She had an amazing sense of humor and delighted in making others laugh. Her life was for living and, for her, a good time was never far. She touched the lives of many and will be missed by all.

Loved ones who left this world before her include her parents, Jackie and Aubrey Cole, her beloved sister, Becky Cleveland, and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Roy and Nona Hammock. She leaves behind numerous adoring family members and friends, including her husband Dale Hammock, daughter Maggie King and husband Glenn, daughter Leyla Barchett and husband Matthew, bonus daughter Angie Tomplait, grandchildren Caitlyn Boyett and husband Christian, Travis Finch, Layne Finch, and Bron Melvin, great grandchildren Landin Brunner, Rykin Boyett, and Atley Boyett, siblings Elton Cole and wife Mary Ellen, W.C. Cole and wife Mary Kay, Frances Tomlin, Mary Herrington and husband Rex, and Tammy Hays and husband Jim, along with several nieces and nephews, and countless friends.