Novella Cantrell, 88, was born May 30, 1937, in Myrtle, Missouri, to Louie “Ben” Cantrell and Lola (Bell) Cantrell. She was blessed with a second set of parents, John and Mae (Bell) Cantrell, who helped raise her from a young age when Lola became very ill. She departed this life on May 1, 2026, in Willow Springs, Missouri, with family at her bedside.
Novella is survived by one daughter, Melanie (Bruce) Vincent, of West Plains, Missouri; two beloved grandchildren, Rhiannon Oakes of St. Louis, Missouri, and Dylan (Elizabeth) Oakes, of Springfield, Missouri; two nieces Kay (Danny) Barton, of Nixa, Missouri, and Tonna (Randy) Schilling, of Nixa, Missouri; one nephew, Ken Manes, of West Plains, Missouri; sister-in-law Becky Cantrell, of Thayer, Missouri; as well as several great-nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by both sets of parents; her brothers, Herbert Cantrell, Herschel Cantrell, Bill Cantrell, and Harold Cantrell; and her sisters, Betty Sue Girdley and Alice Lou Wright.
Novella retired from the telephone company where she worked for many years. After retirement, she worked part-time at the West Plains Public Library and volunteered at the West Plains Regional Animal Shelter, both of which she truly enjoyed.
She was a devoted mother and grandmother – she thought Rhiannon and Dylan “hung the moon” – and she was a devout Christian.
Burial will be private and at a later date.
In lieu of flowers the family has asked for memorials to be made to the:
West Plains Regional Animal Shelter
1438 State Route BB
west plains, Missouri 65775
Phone: 417-256-1358
Or they can be left at the funeral home.
