Merry Noel Noe

Mrs. Merry Noel Noe, our dearly beloved “Gran Gran”, passed away peacefully in her home on Friday, Aug. 27th 2021, surrounded by family and friends.

Born on Christmas Eve of 1937 in Dallas, TX, Merry Noel was the daughter of Richard Hugh Leslie Ramsden and Loma Alan McGregor. At an early age the family moved to Decatur, GA, where Noel and her sister Barbara were raised by their stepmother, Elizabeth Jayne Ramsden.

Noel graduated from Decatur High School in 1955. During her tenure at DHS, Noel was described as “dependable, capable, and an outstanding sportsman.” She was a tenacious member of the girls’ basketball team and a representative to Georgia Girls’ State. Noel was also a member of the National Honors Society, the tumbling club, and wrote for the school paper.

Noel moved her family to Avondale Estates, GA in 1963, where she raised her three children Leslie, Jamie and Kirk. She was an active member of the Decatur-DeKalb YMCA Gymnastics program, where she coached and later became an AAU Judge.

Noel married James Milton Noe in 1987. They built a life together in Stone Mountain, GA, where they enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Noel loved tending to her horses and teaching her grandchildren about the land, while Jim loved gardening and hosting “annual pig roasts”.

Noel is preceded in death by her sister, Barbara Oliver, and her daughter, Leslie Jayne Riley. Noel is survived by husband, James, brother, Charles, daughter, Jamie, son, Kirk (and wife Laurie), step-daughters Pam and Jill, step-son Jim, 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Memorial service will be held at Avondale First Baptist Church on Saturday, September 11th 2021 at 2pm EST. Doors open at 1. A celebration of life will take place outdoors, at Noel’s, the second weekend in October during “The Annual Pig Roast.”