Grace Davis Noles passed away February 24. She was born on November 11, 1917 in Lawrence County, Tennessee. Grace was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas P. and Halie Peppers Davis, her husband of 72 years, Dennis A. Noles, and siblings Thomas, Jr., Gladys, Grady, Beatrice, Joseph, and Jean.
She is survived by her son, James L. Noles (Jackie) of Florence and daughter, Jane Noles Wilson (Robert), Florence. She is also survived by grandchildren James L. Noles, Jr. (Elizabeth), Mountain Brook; Jennifer Noles Ozbirn (Bob), Florence; Aubrey Wilson, (Ann Taylor), Florence; and Lucile Grace Wilson, Florence. Great grandchildren are Leelee Ozbirn, James L. Noles, III, Suzy Ozbirn, John G. Noles, Gracie Ozbirn, Mack Wilson, and Ellis Wilson.
Grace was a member of Wood Avenue Church of Christ where she and her husband Dennis attended for several decades. She was a lifelong school teacher both in Tennessee and in Florence where she spent many years teaching first and second grade at Harlan Elementary. At Harlan she was fortunate to teach with a great principal and wonderful, dedicated teachers. Grace’s volunteer work included years with the Alabama Garden Club where she frequently served as a state wide board member and the Humana Seniors through which she and Dennis served for years as volunteers at Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital. She and Dennis were also volunteers at Mitchell-Hollingsworth.
Grace had three passions. First was teaching children in an atmosphere of safety and nurturing. Second was her love of gardening. She and Dennis loved their large garden, fruit orchards, and vineyards in their early retirement years in Kendale Gardens. They loved to experiment with grafting fruit trees and supplied fresh vegetables and fruit to all who wanted them. In later years as keeping a large garden became too much, they moved to town and became experts in many varieties of wild flowers. Her third passion was animals. There were always dogs to be loved: large, small, purebred or mutt, it made no difference.
Grace completed her life in remarkable health for her age. She remained engaged with current events and maintained a sound and inquisitive mind. She will be especially missed for her wonderful sense of humor. Nothing was so beautiful as to see her laugh, mostly at herself.
A visitation will be from 12-1 pm at Greenview Funeral Home on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. A funeral service will follow in the funeral home chapel with Sid Fulford officiating. Entombment will be at Tri-Cities Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.
The family is grateful to the staff of Renaissance Senior Living who loved and cared for Mom. We are especially mindful of their courage and perseverance during the covid epidemic. Thanks also to the dedicated and caring staff on Hall 5, Mitchell-Hollingsworth, and the angels at Hospice of North Alabama.
In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to consider donations to the Lauderdale County Animal Shelter.
