Jessie “Joy” Lois Ford Nobles, 88, passed away peacefully at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland on January 2, 2016.
She was born in Lamar County, MS on January 12, 1927, to Jessie Carl and Glennie Bounds Ford. She attended the University of Mississippi and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy as one of four women in her class of 1948. She completed the CME requirements to keep her pharmacy license active for over 50 years.
She married Lewis Nobles on August 29, 1947. They moved to Lawrence, Kansas for Lewis to earn his doctorate in Pharmacy. Their older daughter, Sandra, was born there. Lewis came on Faculty at the University of Mississippi in 1952. Their younger daughter, Suzanne, was born in Oxford. Joy was very involved in WMU mission education of children and youth at First Baptist Church in Oxford. In 1968, they moved to Clinton when Lewis became President of Mississippi College.
After moving to Clinton, she was active in First Baptist Church life, continuing her support of WMU mission education, singing in the choir, and serving on various committees including the new sanctuary building committee. She also enjoyed genealogy and was active in Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). She was a charter member of the Walter Leake Chapter in Clinton, served as Regent, and held many local and state level offices in DAR. Joy was also an active member of Colonial Dames, Clinton Study Club, and Faculty Wives.
Her greatest pleasure was serving as First Lady of Mississippi College hosting events for students, staff, faculty, alumni, members of the MC Board of Trustees, and numerous nationally famous guests on campus for over twenty-five years. The events she hosted, characterized by a high level of efficiency with attention to details and formal protocol, were classic demonstrations of true Southern grace, charm, and hospitality.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Bonnie Suarez, her daughter Suzanne Nobles, and her husband Lewis Nobles. She is survived by her two brothers, Glenn Ford (Loretta) and Jack Ford (Susan); her daughter Sandra Nobles Nash (Ben); her two grandchildren, Amy Nash Parker (Ryan); and Benny Nash (Windy) and their two daughters, Hannah and Emily; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at Lakewood Funeral Home, 6011 Clinton Boulevard, Jackson, MS on Wednesday, January 6th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. A celebration of her life will be held at First Baptist Church in Clinton on Thursday, January 7th at 10 a.m. followed by interment at Lakewood Memorial Park in Jackson.
Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made in Mrs. Nobles’ name to the Suzanne Nobles Scholarship Fund at Mississippi College, Box 4003, Clinton, MS 39058.
Visit lakewoodfuneralhomes.com for online guestbook.