Josephine West Novak

Josephine Novak, aged 91, peacefully returned to her heavenly home on August 9, 2017 after a life well lived. Jo was born July 31, 1926, in Tupelo, Mississippi, the ninth and youngest child of Raymond and Viola Morgan West. Jo moved from her hometown of Saltillo, Mississippi to the Hopewell, Virginia area as a young woman and in 1960 married Jim Novak of Warsaw, Poland. The two enjoyed a loving marriage of 44 years prior to Jim's passing. Family and friends were Jo's passion and delight. Having run various childcare businesses throughout her life, many children were blessed to have had her as their own surrogate grandmother and affectionately called her "Mammy", as did her family. She loved music, art and theater and frequently shared her talents with those around her. Throughout her life she maintained a fun and joyous demeanor that won the hearts of many. Her signature gifts of laughter, music and joking around, will never be forgotten. Josephine will be loved and missed by her children and their spouses: John Inzaina (Beverly) of Cary, NC, Tommy Inzaina (Nancy) of San Diego, CA and Angel Froggatt (David) of Chesterfield, VA; her seven grandchildren: Monica Inzaina (Greg), Jessica Tindel (Josh), Rachel Blundell (Tim), Christy Inzaina, Casey Inzaina (Dana), David Froggatt IV (Monica) and Lindsay Gulledge (Will) and her seven great-grandchildren: Victoria and Caroline Horner, Addison, Emily and Leo Tindel, Layla Froggatt and Aria Gulledge. Per her wishes, a private family ceremony was held on August 11, 2017 at the Inzaina family mausoleum in Appomattox Cemetery in Hopewell, VA. The family gratefully declines flowers and donations but requests that all that knew and loved Mammy keep her memory alive within their hearts.