April
25, 1923 - June 17, 2010SOUTH BEND - Mrs. Novella Hayes Watkins Flint, 87, dear mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and cousin, departed this life on Thursday, June 17, 2010. Mrs. Flint was born April 25, 1923, to the union of William McKinley Hayes and Estella Coleman Hayes Howard in Tuscumbia, Alabama. She moved to South Bend, Indiana, and graduated from South Bend Central High School. She continued her education to become a certified administration secretary. She began her Christian life at an early age with the Greater St. John Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Sebre, Rev. Bernard L. White, Rev. Billy Kirk until currently under the Rev. Andre A. Mcghee. She was a member of Greater St. John Missionary Baptist Church for 73 years. She loved her church and was very active. She was a Sunday school teacher, worked in the church office, was active in the Northwestern Missionary Baptist Association, her Missionary circle, and the Indiana State Missionary Baptist Women's Convention and retreats. She was also active in the Women in White ministry. Mrs. Novella Hayes married Ellis Stuart Watkins, and from that union there were two daughters, Sheila Watkins Holmes and Linda Watkins. She later married Floyd Flint, and they were married 25 years. Mrs. Flint retired from First Source Bank. She previously worked at the Urban League. She received an award for 35 years participation in the International Association Administration Professions. She was also a member of LaChayne DeVoyageurs, a national friendship and travel organization. Mrs. Flint leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Sheila (Melvin) Holmes; her grandchildren, Michael (Renee) Holmes, Chicago, IL, Michelle Holmes and Angela Holmes of Indianapolis, IN; great-grandchildren, Nicole and Justin Holmes, Chicago, IL; sister, Ruth Sanders, South Bend; sister-in-law, Juanita Hayes, Indianapolis, IN; her nieces, Audrey (Austin) Wathen, Brenda (Anthony) Burke of Indianapolis, Carolyn (Jeff) Gadlin, South Bend, Joyce Sanders, Dallas, Texas, and Dr. Eileen Hayes, Denton, Texas; and a nephew, Robert (Kim) Sanders, South Bend. Her great and great-grandnieces and nephews are Aaron Smith, Erika (John) Marks, Monica (Carl) Goodwin, Kelli Sanders, Stephanie Sanders, Kendall Sanders, Tyler McNulty, Don McCraig, Maya Marks, Morgan Sanders, Caitlin Goodwin and Caleb Goodwin, and a host of other relatives and friends. Mrs. Flint was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Ellis Stuart Watkins and Floyd Flint; her daughter, Linda N. Watkins; her brothers, James Louis Hayes and Rev. William McKinley Hayes; and by her brother-in-law, James (Chip) Sanders. A special thank you to the staff of Cardinal Nursing Home and Center for Hospice and Greater St. John Missionary Baptist Church for their care and prayers. Funeral services for Mrs. Novella Hayes Watkins Flint will be held at noon on Tuesday, June 22, 2010, in Greater St. John Missionary Baptist Church, with burial following at Riverview Cemetery. Officiating services will be Reverend Andre A. McGhee, pastor. Viewing will take place at the church from 11 a.m. to noon. Arrangements have been entrusted to Alford's Mortuary where messages of condolence may be e-mailed to alfordsmortuary@comcast.net, c/o the Flint family.