After 101 years of cooking, gardening, and collecting antiques and memories, Bessie Mae Browning Noble spent her last moments at her home in Beaumont on Thursday afternoon, July 20, 2006.
Bessie was preceded in death by her husband, John Robert Noble, Sr.; and her son, John Robert Noble, Jr.
Survivors include her son, Thomas Noble, Sr. and his wife Charlene of Beaumont; grandchildren, Robert Noble of Tyler, Judy Parsley of Lumberton, Thomas Noble, Jr. of Galveston, Amber Lee Noble of Houston, and Candice Noble of Austin; great grandchildren, Matthew Noble and Joshua Noble both of Tyler, Amy Parsley of Dallas, Aaron Parsley of Waco and Hannah Noble of Beaumont; sister, Hattie Porter of Beaumont.
Bessie was born to Peyton and Nina Browning in Hemphill, TX, on April 12, 1905. Her childhood days were spent camping at Palo Gaucho Creek, picnicking at Red Hill Lake, and anxiously awaiting Grandma & Grampa’s visits in the open wagon. Her affinity for nature sparked while growing up in East Texas, but was exemplified in her favorite pastimes throughout her esteemed life.
Bessie married John Robert Noble at Rock Springs Church in 1923. John’s early tour in the oil patch allowed the couple to travel the South frequently while Bessie picked up more of the culture’s most notable characteristics and perfected those that she already possessed. She cultivated her poise and refined the trades for which she became renowned.
First and foremost, Bessie was a homemaker, but her diverse list of hobbies occasionally developed into entrepreneurships – sustained by her personal strength and independent spirit. She and John opened a café in Hemphill, specializing in steaks, hamburgers, chili, and her famous pies which she continued to bake at least once a week for 75 years. Bessie sold her homemade preserves made from the pears, berries and figs she picked by hand along with the honey she gathered from the bees she charmed. In contrast to Bessie’s outdoor nature that kept her fishing, tending to animals, and exploring the open piney woods, she also had an inherent talent for fine arts. Bessie was a self-taught musician and painter. She settled in Beaumont in 1941, where she resided ever since. Here, she repeatedly won awards for her flower gardens and arrangements, was published as one of the nation’s best quilters, and often brought home state ribbons for her sewing, tatting, and needle-work. None of these took a back seat to her interest in scavenging and trading early-American antiques to restore and display.
“Big Mama’s” quick wit and her good-natured sarcasm made her the most sought-after domino partner among friends and family while her skill and zeal for the game kept her winning year after year, weekends & holidays, at the beach or at the farm.
The Noble family extends special thanks to Jeannine Chapman for her care and assistance during the past several months.
A graveside service in her honor will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, July 23, 2006 at McMahan Chapel Cemetery in Sabine County under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A gathering of family and friends will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Saturday, July 22, 2006 at the Mortuary.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Texas, 3834 Stagg Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77701.
