Novilla Hill Bryan, 89, passed away peacefully in her home on Monday, January 9, 2023. Novilla will lay in state for viewing on Sunday, January 15, 2023 from 2:00 pm until 6:00 pm at Horizon Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm Monday, January 16, 2023 at First Baptist church of Dalhart with Kurtis Abla and Michael Wilcox officiating. Burial will follow in the Texline Cemetery, Texline, TX. Novilla was born on September 28, 1933 in Dozier, TX. to Joe and Mina (Harvey) Hill; she was the second of five children. Novilla graduated from Shamrock High School in 1952. While in high school, Novilla worked as a soda girl at a local drugstore and this is where she met the love of her life, William Jennings Bryan (Jay), a veteran and recent Texas Tech graduate. Jay and Novilla were married on June 22, 1952. Through their marriage Novilla found loving parents in Roland and Veta Bryan and received a large extended family. Two years later they welcomed their firstborn, Ronald. Later that year, Novillas mother passed, leaving her three younger siblings without a mother to care for them so she opened her heart and home to her siblings. In 1956, Jay and Novilla completed their family with the birth of their daughter, LaNell. In 1958, the family put down roots approximately 18 miles outside of Texline where Jay took the position of Manager of Shamburger Ranch. The Texline community was their home for the next 41 years. Novilla was a talented seamstress, gardener, and cook (her pies were infamous)! She was blessed with the gift of hospitality which extended to family, friends, working cowboys and any unexpected drop-ins. She was a meticulous housekeeper, which, unfortunately seems to be a gene most of us did not inherit. Novilla had a heart for service, first and foremost to her Lord and Savior; she received Jesus into her heart at the age of 10 at First Baptist Church in Twitty, TX. In addition to friends and family, she served her Texline and Dalhart communities through multiple organizations and ministries including: FBC Texline and FBC Dalhart; PTA; VFW Ladies Auxiliary; 4-H programs; and volunteering with CASA and the Pink Ladies. The ministry dearest to Novillas heart was the Womans Missionary Union (WMU), where she served as president at FBC Texline and Dalhart for many years WMUs purpose is to advocate praying and giving to support Southern Baptist missionaries serving abroad with the International Mission Board and stateside through the North American Mission Board, as well as teaching about missions, involvement in local missions, and telling others about Jesus. Novilla is preceded in death by her husband of 52 years Jay Bryan, son Ronald, parents Joe and Mina Hill and brother Bob Hill. Novilla is survived by her daughter LaNell Scott (Phil), sister/daughter Colleene Howell (John), granddaughters: Jennifer Scott and Amanda Scott, granddaughter/niece Melanie Trimble (T.J.), grandsons/nephews: Rodney Howell (Karen) and Bryan Howell (Karri), ten great grandchildren: Landon, Mason, Arrow, Jay, Josh, Hattie, Wayne, Emarald, Tripp and Lanie, two sisters: Nella Jo Deger and Luvina Wyatt (Jack), many precious nieces, nephews, cousins and dear girlfriends. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to: WMU National Office PO Box 830010 Birmingham, AL 35283-0010 https://wmu.com/about-wmu/contact To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Novilla H. Bryan, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store. Memorial Donation Viewing Sunday, January 15, 2023 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM Horizon Funeral Home 701 Elm Ave. Dalhart, Texas 79022 Funeral Service Monday, January 16, 2023 2:00 PM First Baptist Church Dalhart 1000 E 16th. Dalhart, Texas 79022