Floyd Thomas Noble

Floyd T. "Poppy" Noble Jr, 82, a resident of Luverne, Alabama, passed away peacefully in his home while surrounded by his family on Monday, October 2, 2023. Funeral services for Poppy will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, October 4th, at Luverne Church of Christ with Brother Clay Massey officiating. He will then be laid to rest beside his wife in Belser Memorial Trust Cemetery with Turners Funeral Home of Luverne directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 5 to 7 PM.

It's hard to believe someone like Poppy was real in this day and time. The oldest of eight children, he learned early on how to be a caregiver and he more than excelled in that role throughout his life. Surely the love of his life, his wife Hazel, was the envy of every woman she knew because she had a husband willing, able, and happy to help cook, clean, and keep up all of the household chores....well, except dusting, but no one is perfect! His younger siblings idolized him, as did his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and it's not hard to understand why. Poppy was the man you wanted on your side because he was going to stick with you through thick and thin. Family was always his top priority and they never doubted exactly how much he loved them because he showed it in every single thing he did.

Sunday mornings meant big bowls of cheese grits to his grandchildren, while Sunday afternoons were for quality time spent with his siblings so often over the years. Time spent building lifetime memories together was never time wasted. He was the kind of grandfather who would happily take a book to read when taking his grandson deer hunting, despite not caring to hunt himself, coaching a granddaughter's softball team into his 70s, or making multiple trips every week to lend a supportive shoulder for another to lean on during a parent's worst nightmare. Like I said, it's not hard at all to understand why his family thought he came just shy of walking on water or why it's impossible to find anyone who could find one negative thing to say about him (a truly remarkable feat when you've lived over 80 years). No matter what was going on in his life, no matter what it took or how difficult it was, Poppy was determined to show up for his family during the big moments and the smaller ones.

He was renowned for his gentle and quiet demeanor, while also being blessed with the patience to rival Job. However, his dry sense of humor and razor-sharp wit attained legendary status as well. He was always up for an outdoor adventure, whether it was camping or going to the mountains for family vacations, Poppy was ready for it. He was even willing to tolerate the beach just to be with the people he loved, just don't ask him to get on a boat or plane, and he was good! In his free time, it was always a good day when the Braves or Crimson Tide won...and a great one if they both happened on the same day. He also spent six years proudly serving his country with the Alabama National Guard where he attained the rank of sergeant. The only thing in Poppy's life that took priority over the people he loved was his love for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He loved spending time in the Word and cherished the years he spent spreading the gospel as minister for Mt. Olive Church of Christ. He also served as both a member and later president of Belser Cemetery Committee for several years and was so beloved by everyone there that they did not want him to resign even after he was no longer able to attend the meetings. Poppy will be long remembered for all of this and more, but his loved ones will always hold dearest every little moment he took to shower them in his love and affection. They were more than blessed to have had him in their lives and his legacy of love will live on in every single one of them.

Poppy was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 57 years, Hazel Noble; their son, Floyd T. "Tommy" Noble III; parents, Floyd T. Sr & Lucy Mae Odom Noble; and siblings, Donnie Noble, Thomas Noble, John Noble, Gloria Norman, and Linda Whitt. He is survived by his daughter & son-in-law, Tammy & Rodney Massey; grandchildren, Rachel (Josh) McCartha, Clay (Abby Laura) Massey, and Rebekah Massey; great-grandchildren, Nathan, Raeleigh Jane, Lilly Kate, Hudson, and Harrison; siblings, Ronnie Noble and Janice Zink; and brothers-in-law, Rabon (Diane) Spivey and Roland (Katherine) Spivey.

Active pallbearers will be Junior Register, John Register, Adam Register, Billy Wood, Josh McCartha, and Robert Hudson.