Novie was the first born of 15 children of Oswald Temple Davis and Leota Dudley Smithson.
He was actually born on Feb. 29th at 11:55 p.m. but the doctor moved the time ahead to 12:01 on Mar, 1, so he wouldn't be a leap year baby.
When he was old enough, he served in the Conservation Camp in order to send money home to his parents in OK.
He was City Marshall in Braggs, Muskogee Co., OK. at the young age of 21. While Marshall, he and some other lawmen got into a car chase with Pretty Boy Floyd. Floyd shot the car out from under them and got away but Novie attended Floyd's funeral.
One night Novie got a tip that a gang had pulled a robbery in Vian, OK. One of them had been killed. Sometime during the night, his body was dumped near McAllister, OK. Novie caught up to them and chased them through Webber Falls, OK. but lost them. When their car was found, there were 160 bullet holes in it.
Novie was a pall bearer for 'Uncle' Bud Ledbetter, a lawman of some fame in OK. and AR. Bud was also a Marshall under Judge Parker, the 'hanging judge' in Little Rock, AR. Novie was related to Bud by way of his paternal grandmother, Johanna Tennesse Powell Davis.
Novie served in the US Navy aboard a submarine during WWII.
He was also a Deputy Sheriff in Yuba Co., CA. Novie helped to organize the Olivehust Fire Dept. in Olivehurst, CA.
He was a very handsome man. He was a wonderful cook that taught me how to make the best gravy. When you got up from his table, you had been well fed. Novie was also a wonderful gardener. He could grow anything and grow it big.
Novie married Marjorie Anna Bryson on Oct. 20, 1937 in Braggs, OK. Three children, Roy Lee (R. L.), Kenneth and Barbara were born to them. They later divorced.
Novie is buried near his parents.

Cause of death: Blood Clot.