Novella D. DuBose

Novella Dolores DuBose,  one of ten children, born to the late James (Ned) and Flora Temple, was born on September 16, 1929 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Novella fought a good fight and her victory has been won as she journeyed home to be with the Lord on December 22, 2021.

Novella attended segregated schools in Center Cross, Virginia and later completed her formal education in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she attended Simon Gratz High School.  Novella received her Practical Nursing Certificate from The Baltimore City Hospitals in September 1965 and became a License Practical Nurse (LPN).  In June 1974, Novella received her Associate in Arts Degree from Community College of Baltimore.  On August 16, 1974, Novella was certified by the Maryland State Board of Examiners of Nurses as a Registered Nurse (RN).  Novella worked as a LPN at Baltimore City Hospitals; as a LPN and RN at Church Home Hospital; as a RN at Good Samaritan Hospital; and retired from North Charles Hospital as a RN-Supervisor.

Novella met the love of her life, Benjamin, Sr. during her high school years in Philadelphia, PA.  Ben (who preceded her in death) and Novella were united in Holy Matrimony in September 1947.  From this union they were blessed with three children, two daughters: Carolyn and Linda and one son, Ben Jr., who faithfully took care of his mother.  Carolyn and Linda proceeded her in death.

Novella was very close to her siblings.  They did not need a special occasion to come together with all the children to eat, laugh and have fun.  Holidays were her favorite times of the year, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas.  For Thanksgiving, all her family would come from Philly to Virginia to eat Thanksgiving Dinner at her house.  Novella enjoyed preparing for this dinner and would start preparations months before the holiday.  She loved cooking for her family and friends.  For Christmas, after spending time with her family here in Baltimore, she would travel to spend Christmas with her family in Philadelphia.  When her grandchildren were little, she loved to make their Easter special.  She would make all their chocolate candies and even make chocolate bunnies and chocolate Easter baskets for each grandchild.  They each would have their special place on her buffet. 

Novella loved to bake and you could always count on her to make you a cake at your request.  Once you tasted her cakes, you would always come back for another.  Her clientele grew from them tasting her baking.  Many of her nieces would call her for her recipes.  Her recipes have been passed onto her family and friends.

Not only did Novella enjoy cooking and baking, but she also enjoyed sewing, crocheting, quilt-making and many other crafts.  In addition, Novella enjoyed travelling locally, nationally and abroad.  She cruised to many countries around the world. 

As a long-time member of the Historic Saint Paul Community Baptist Church, she first served under the leadership of Rev. Edward Revels and it was during this time that she gave her life to Christ.  Novella continued to serve under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Gregory B. Perkins, Pastor.  Novella was a faithful member of the Nurse’s and Usher’s Ministry.  She would also faithfully serve wherever she could help out, especially when dinner was being served at the church.  Everyone always wanted to know which cake she baked.

Novella was a staple-member of the 25th Street Community where she lived.  Her faithful next door neighbor and friend, Christine White, loved spending time with her; the Dawson family; Gwen; the Giles family; and many other neighbors loved talking with her.  She would bake Christmas cookies for her neighbors. 

Novella always looked for ways to show all her family, neighbors and church family how much she loved them, whether it was a card, a cake, make you something special or just her kind words.

Preceding Novella in death are: her husband of 59 years, Benjamin F. DuBose, Sr.; two daughters: Carolyn Dangerfield and Linda DuBose; her great-granddaughter: Alexis DuBose; her siblings: Robert Anderson Temple, James Edward Temple, Jr., Mabel Temple-Croxton, Korean Temple-McCane, Frederick Douglas Temple, Sr., Benjamin (Bennie) Temple, Joseph Temple, Hilda B. Warrick and Shirley H. Overton.

To carry on her legacy and cherish her memories, Novella leaves her son Benjamin F, DuBose, Jr. (Antoinette); four grandsons: Edward Dangerfield Jr., Dominic Dangerfield (Deneen), Benjamin F. DuBose, 3rd (Valencia), Linwood DuBose, Sr.; one granddaughter: Ashlie DuBose; five great-grandchildren: Niyah DuBose, Linwood DuBose Jr., Sydney DuBose, Dominic Dangerfield, Chandler DuBose; one sister: Charlesetta “Skeets” Smith of Philadelphia PA; three sister-in-laws, Ursula Temple and Bertha Temple, both of Philadelphia, PA; one goddaughter Revilla (Penney) Toles; three extended-family daughters: Betty Black, Beverly Vincent and Symone Flowers; a devoted friend: Ann Williams; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

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