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J. Noonkester Obituary

Dr. J. Ralph Noonkester

Hattiesburg, MS

J. Ralph Noonkester, President Emeritus of William Carey University, died on Sunday, September 30, 2012 after a brief illness.

Born on June 10, 1924 in Flatridge, Virginia, Noonkester graduated from Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia and attended Marion College in Marion, Virginia. In 1944 he received the Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Sociology from the University of Richmond and was elected Phi Beta Kappa. Subsequently he completed the Th.M. and Ph.D. degrees at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. His 1949 doctoral dissertation concerning Oriental missionary movements in the United States represented a pioneering effort in Comparative Religion.

Noonkester later served as Minister of Education at First Baptist Church of Charlottesville, Virginia before accepting a teaching position at Mississippi Woman's College in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. When Woman's College became co-educational in 1954, it was Noonkester's idea to change its name to William Carey College reflecting the educational vision of the great Orientalist and missionary to India, William Carey (1761-1834).

Noonkester was Professor of Religion, Dean and, from 1956 to 1989, President of William Carey College (now University). He guided the trustees of William Carey College as they made it one of the first private colleges in the Gulf South voluntarily to achieve racial integration in 1965.

Noonkester's tenure as president witnessed successful fund-raising campaigns and the establishment of campus sites in New Orleans (1969) and on the Mississippi Gulf Coast (1976). His expansive vision received recognition from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education in 1980. He retired from William Carey College in 1989 and was named President Emeritus.

While president of the Hattiesburg Chamber of Commerce in 1966, Noonkester led a fund-raising effort to rebuild the home of Civil Rights martyr Vernon Dahmer, Sr. Noonkester was president of the Mississippi Association of Colleges, the Mississippi Foundation of Independent Colleges and the Hattiesburg United Way and a member of the Hattiesburg Kiwanis Club and the Hattiesburg Civic Association.

Noonkester served on the Board of Directors of First Mississippi National Bank and BancorpSouth and received the Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts of America. In 2012 he received the Martin Luther King, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award from the Mu Gamma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha.

Noonkester was a member of the Newcomen Society and Omicron Delta Kappa. He served on the boards of trustees of the Hattiesburg Public Schools and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. As an experienced college president, Noonkester chaired the Education Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention and guided several Southern Association of Colleges and Schools visiting accreditation teams.

Noonkester was a deacon of First Baptist Church, Hattiesburg for many years and in retirement sang tenor in the Visionaires Choir. Most recently, he and his wife Naomi were members of University Baptist Church, Hattiesburg.

Noonkester received the Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Richmond, the Rust College Shield for Leadership in Education and Social Development, the Liberty Bell Award from the South Central Mississippi Bar Association and the Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Blue Mountain College. In 1982 he was named the Hattiesburg Sales and Marketing Executives Man of the Year. The following year he became the third recipient of the Hub Award. The J. Ralph Noonkester Endowed Professorship, the J. Ralph Noonkester Scholarship at William Carey University and the Noonkester Park at Oak Hill Academy honor his memory.

In 2007 William Carey University named the Ralph and Naomi Noonkester School of Arts and Letters for him and for his wife Naomi who had served William Carey College faithfully as Registrar in the early days and later hosted receptions and public events in the William Carey President's Home.

Noonkester was the son of the late Reggie Lee and Arcie Parks Noonkester. He was preceded in death by his brother Clarence Noonkester and his sister Judy Noonkester.

Noonkester is survived by his wife of 65 years, Naomi Hopkins Noonkester; sisters Loretta Crismond of Bedford, Virginia and Kate Legard of Stuart, Virginia; a son, Myron Noonkester of Hattiesburg, Mississippi; a daughter, Lila Noonkester of Greenwood, South Carolina; a daughter-in-law, Jennie Morgan Noonkester of Hattiesburg, Mississippi; and grandchildren P. Belgium Harris of Laveen, Arizona, Adam Daniel Noonkester and William Morgan Noonkester of Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

A funeral service will be held at Main Street Baptist Church in Hattiesburg at 11 AM on Thursday, October 4, 2012. Visitation will precede the service from 9-11 AM. Dr. Bennie R. Crockett, Jr. and Dr. Rusty Edwards will officiate. Pallbearers will include colleagues in higher education and public service. Interment will take place at Highland Cemetery in Hattiesburg.

Members of the family request that memorial donations be designated to the Carey Center at William Carey University or to Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia.

Hulett-Winstead Funeral Home in Hattiesburg, MS is in charge of arrangements.

Published by Hattiesburg American on Oct. 2, 2012.
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Memories and Condolences
for J. Noonkester

Not sure what to say?





Even at this date, I vividly remember Dr. Noonkester and his love for William Carey. He welcomed me to my first full time job at WCC. In retrospect, thanks for your love, work and sacrifice to Hattiesburg and the surrounding communities.

Eddie Holloway

Coworker

September 26, 2020

Myron:

I just found out about this. Your father was very helpful and nice from the moment I met you at Walthall. God bless you.

Lorenzo Peterson

February 15, 2013

Words might not heal the pain of losing a loved one. May God's blessings and memories of your loved one give you the comfort, peace and strength you need during these sorrowful times.(Isaiah 61:2)

M. Johnson

October 8, 2012

The community has lost a great man. We are thankful for his many years of service and caring. I always felt that his work and his words were from the heart. He set a good example of how to serve humanity.
Our prayers are with the family.

Deborah Delgado

October 8, 2012

Mrs. Noonkester and family,
I have many wonderful memories of Dr. Noonkester. My parents were very fond of the whole family. I am praying for God's peace and comfort to envelope you.
Judy Brown Klug

Judy Klug

October 7, 2012

To the Noonkester Family:
May God give you strength during this difficult time.
Gloria Hill Grady graduate of 1979 Gloria Hill Grady '1979'

October 6, 2012

The family has my deepest sympathy. I regret that I did not learn of Ralph's passing until after the service and therefore could not attend the services. I met Ralph years ago when we both served on the school board. He was always compassionate and dedicated to whatever he was involved. He will be missed by the community,which shares your grief. I pray that your faith will sustain you in the days ahead.

October 5, 2012

To The Noonkester Family,
My Thoughts and Prayers are with You during this time of Loss and Sadness. I had the Pleasure of knowing Dr. Noonkester while being a Student At William Carey in 1986, upon starting My Freshman Year. Dr Noonkester was a Kind, Sweet, Gentle Soul,and was such a Pleasure to talk to. Your Family has lost a bright star, But be Mindful that His Star will Shine Bright for years to come , as You reflect on all Your memories of Him. May the Arms of Our Lord Provide You Comfort Always is My Prarer. God Bless!

Karen Ash

October 4, 2012

My thoughts and prayers are being sent in honor of Dr. Noonkester and his family during this time. He was a gentle man and it was always a pleasure to visit the family when I was a student so many years ago. Thank you to a wonderful family and college that helped me find my place as an individual. We have all been blessed by your gracious manner and vision.

Marcelle Gianelloni

October 3, 2012

What a sad time for those of us who are left behind as we remember and honor a great servant of our Lord. Dr. Noonkester silently and quietly helped so many students in need at WMC. I know because I was one of those students. My final year there he granted me an Academic Scholarship which allowed me to remain in school, complete my studies and continue on to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. We have lost a man so dedicated to education, William Carey College (Now William Carey University), all students that walked those hollowed halls but most of all a man that loved God and our Saviour with all his heart. My sincere condolence to the family. I will be remembering you in my prayers as you make adjustments in the days to come. Nona Kay Strickland Alford

Nona Kay Alford

October 3, 2012

Dr. Noonkester and his wife were such inspirational people. He had a vision for the future and he began the information technology department at William Carey. It was my first job out of college and I am so thankful to have been a part of the Carey family. I remained 10 years and finished my BS degree there in 99. He will be missed by all who loved him.

Martha Parker

October 3, 2012

What an influence Dr.Noonkester had on so many of those who passed through Carey! Debby and I are so very fortunate to have been just two of those student. He and Mrs. Noonkester were always so very supportive of our efforts--both as students and later in our chosen professions. His influence and support flowed through us into numerous students and congregants of our own. He made it possible for use to study with the fine faculty at Carey. He attended, if at all possible, all of our recitals, concerts, and church programs--and was ever interested in our lives. He treated us as colleagues--at school, at church, in our professions. Thank you, Dr. Noonkester, for being such a large part of our lives. Our best to Mrs. Noonkester and both their children and grandchildren. Peace--and all good things.

Harry Mercer

October 2, 2012

He will be missed by so many. A wonderful man that touched so many lives and made a difference in so many . A great person that help put Carey on the map. I was glad to have known him and studied under him in class.

Dot Fortenberry

October 2, 2012

Dear Noonkester Family,
Please accept my deepest sympathies and love. It is such a great loss of a good man. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. I wish I could be there to comfort you. With sympathy and love to all.

Georgiann Holliman

October 2, 2012

I knew Dr. Noonkester as a true gentleman. Met him on the Gulf Coast Campus. We passed on a path and he looked at me somewhat quizzically. He said hello and I responded, assuring him I was not one of his profs that he might have forgotten; rather, and older student who had chosen his college as a place to get educated. He smiled. We chatted. A consummate gentleman - gentle soul - interested in my thoughts. An excellent listener. Turns out I was the first graduate of the coast campus - and graduated magna cum laude. I hope he was as proud of me as I was to graduate from his college. I'll not foget his kind man. My sympathy to his family for this loss. Ron Crooker (BA/77; MEd/78.)

Ron Crooker

October 2, 2012

My condolences to Dr. Noonkester's family and friends on his passing. I was a student at WCC in 1972-73 and remember him as a kind, thoughtful, honorable man whose faith and vision were truly inspiring. God bless.

Tom Bohon

October 2, 2012

To The Noonkester Family,
Dr. Noonkester's beauty is observed in his contributions and givings to his family, William Carey University, city, state and world. Look at the many blooms of his works and wisdom. Imagine the once small school located on Tuscan Avenue. Thanks to the family for sharing his good deeds, scholarship and love for others. He opened the tables of education to people of color that had been excluded - experiencing the signs of intolerance himself. Oh, what sacrifices that Dr. Noonkester made so that others could benefit. A man of respect, dignity and kindness, he was. You can smile because he did leave things better than he founded them. I pray for your peace.

Eddie A. Holloway

October 2, 2012

Your dad will be remembered by many for his wonderful acts of service for our Lord during his life here on earth. I pray that you will be comforted by the many memories you have of the times spent together as a family through the years. May the Lord give you the strength you need during this difficult time and may you feel His loving presence surrounding you.

October 2, 2012

Just wanted to say that Dr. Noonkester will always be admired by me. In 1980 fresh out of high school with a zest for preaching and no money, Dr. Noonkester accepted me as a shadow student at the request of the late Dr. Ralph Woullard. Thus my formal theological training began.I will forever be indebted to WCC.

Roy C. Moffett

October 2, 2012

We shall greatly miss this wonderful man of God, one of our Father's gentler souls here on earth. Dr. Ralph's long and faithful service will always be of great benefit to we who remain. Our best love to the entire Noonkester family in this hour.
Joe Odom

October 2, 2012

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