Noble Grace

Funeral services for Earnest Noble Grace, Sr. will be held at 3:00pm Sunday, July 15, 2012 in the sanctuary of Englewood Baptist Church with Rev. Ben Mandrell, Dr. Brent Lay, Dr. Philip Jett, and Dr. Paul Williams officiating. Visitation will precede the funeral from 1-3:00pm in the church sanctuary. Burial will be in Ridgecrest cemetery with military honors. Noble went to be with his Lord on Thursday, July 13, 2012, at Northbrooke Healthcare with family and friends by his side. The family would like to thank the loving doctors, nurses, and caregivers at Northbrooke for their excellent care and attention during his stay. Noble was born June 10, 1926, in Spring Creek, TN, the son the late Arthur and Lena Baker Grace. After attending Jackson schools, he entered the 47th Infantry Division of the United States Army in 1944 at age 18, where he achieved the final rank of Staff Sergeant. During his military service, he became a war hero, single handedly capturing 175 German soldiers. In his later years, Noble gave many speeches in schools, churches, and civic organizations telling his remarkable war stories. He spent most of his business career working 33 years for The National Life & Accident Insurance Company where he became District Manager. He became a member of Englewood Baptist Church in 1954 where he held many positions, including Junior boys Sunday School teacher, chairman of several committees, past member of the Board of Trustees current President of the Paul Williams Sunday school class, and as a Deacon. He was honored in 2011 as he was made a Deacon Emeritus. He loved his Pastors, his church, and his church family very much. He was in the Masonic Lodge for 50 years, attaining both Scottish Rite and York Rite designations as well as being a Shriner. In his later years, Noble loved meeting every Wednesday morning at McDonald?s as part of the ROMEO Club (Retired old Men Eating out). Preceding him in death was his wife of 54 years, Jessie George Grace and his second wife, Hazel Duggar Grace. Cherishing his memory will be his three children, Sarah Grace Coughlin and her husband, Chip, Rev. Earnest Noble Grace, Jr., (Bo), and his wife, Lisa, and Doug Grace and his wife, Krista, along with 7 grandchildren, Betsy Coughlin, Amelia Grace Smith, Earnest Noble Grace III, (Trey), Jessie Grace, Michael Grace, Victoria Grace, and Wesley Grace. He had a special love for his four great grandchildren, Blake, Emily, Hayden, and Kyle Noble Smith. Noble also leaves a very special ?lady friend?, Janice Meadows. Thank you, Janice, for helping fill his life with such happiness. The family would also like to thank Dr. Robert Gilroy for being a wonderful doctor and friend for many years. Love and appreciation also go to Dr. Jenkins who was not only his doctor for many years, but in effect became a ?third son? to him, as they hunted together and made many special memories. John is indeed a member of the Grace family. Pallbearers to serve are grandsons, Trey, Michael, and Wesley Grace, as well as Robert Simpson, Dennis Flynn, and Dee Moss. Honorary pallbearers are Howard Deaton, Rudy Evans, Joe Boswell, Wayne Collins, Joe Donald Collins, Dr. Charles Story, Dr. Barry Glenn, Darryl Hicks, Larry Collomp, Cecil Hillhouse, Robert, Wilson, John Simpson, Tom Robinson, and Wayne Exum.In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Mission Jackson at Englewood Baptist Church, 2239 North Highland Avenue, Jackson, TN 38305.