Jim was born in the Mississippi delta in the little town of Marks to Martha Lee Low and James H. Nobles, Sr. The word ‘delta’ means change, and Jim faced a lot of change throughout his life. His childhood was “challenging” on many levels, but those struggles, and the US Marine Corps, equipped Jimmy to overcome obstacles with determination, passion, grit, generosity, charm, and as he would often joke, a “body men feared, and women loved.”
He was an impressive figure at 6’4.” That, plus his outgoing and congenial personality, contributed to him becoming a natural and effective salesman. Before his health declined, he was always active in his local church. An adventurous entrepreneurial life followed as he dreamed Big and laughed Bigger. But his Biggest love was reserved for his Lord Jesus (in whose arms he is resting today) his adored and adoring wife of 42 years, Lila, three cherished and talented children, James Hammock Nobles, III “Trey,” Steven Matthew Nobles, and Whitney Virginia Nobles. Also his love was boundless for his precious grandchildren (who called him B for Big), Rachel, Ryan, Jacob, Grant, Hannah, McKenna, and Sydney, and his new great grandchild of boundless potential, Caden.
Jim also leaves behind his beloved sisters and brother, Mary Carolyn “Winkie” Nobles Edwards (now the oldest in the family), Elizabeth Kay “Sam” Nobles Olson (still stuck with her nickname given to her by Jim from a dog he once liked), and Larry “Buddy Ruff” Nobles, (finally the better-looking brother) … and the many loved ones who married into the Nobles’ family.
Often called “Little Jim” as he was a ‘junior,’ he was preceded in his homegoing by his mother, Martha Lee Low and his half-sister, Lenoir and his father and stepmother, James Hammock Nobles, Sr (Big Jim), and Mary Ivy Preston Nobles.
He graduated from White Station High School in 1961, joined the US Marine Corps from 1964-1967 (Corporal and Military Policeman), then received a BA in Business and Finance from Memphis State University. Later he became a stockbroker for Dean Whitter and was the national sales manager of the year for Teledyne-Waterpik, having sold more Waterpiks than anyone in the country. Other multiple entrepreneurial ventures including Property Management, Ocean Shrimp, Oil Wells, an Emu farm and much more. He was deeply steeped in Bible knowledge, bream fishing, Gin Rummy, and Pinball machines (the old kind) and would roar in laughter at a good joke … and would give a gracious chuckle even at the bad ones.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Semper Fi & America's Fund or to the Tunnels to Towers in Jim's honor.
Everyone who knew Jim well … was blessed beyond measure. He will be sorely missed.
2 Timothy 4:7-8
A celebration of life for James will be held Sunday, March 17, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 North Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, TN 38133.
