Born October 5, 1934 in Sebring, Florida, Ruth moved to Tennessee at the age of seven. She attended Harrison Chilhowee Baptist Academy and the University of Tennessee before a brief career as a social worker. She then married and transitioned into full-time motherhood.
Ruth was a staple of her South Knoxville community and a friend to all who knew her. Her Tarklin Valley home played host to multiple generations of children, pets, and joyful memories. An avid gardener, Ruth cultivated a variety of fruits and vegetables. The blueberries grown on her land were sold at local markets and even featured on an episode of WBIR’s “The Heartland Series.”
Ruth’s kindness and warmth were rivaled only by her faith, and she remained an active member of both Galilee Baptist and Tarklin Valley Baptist Church for years. She taught Sunday School and was particularly passionate about missionary work, even spending a week volunteering in Nicaragua.
Ruth will be loved and missed endlessly, but is now at eternal peace.
Ruth is survived by her children and their spouses, Stephen and Rosemary Noe, Phil and Melanie Noe, Mary Noe, Patty Plummer, and Andy and Christie Noe; her grandchildren and their spouses, Marcus and Angela Ott, Rachel and Daniel Lowe, Miranda and Ryan Hill, Emily and Tyler Wilson, Taylor Wilson, Sarah and Lee-Allen Turner, Matt and Bridget Plummer, Abigail Noe, and Hannah Noe; her great-grandchildren, Ryan, Grace, Andrew, and Sarah Ott; Emmeric, Allistair, and Donovan Lowe; Ryder and Teddy Hill; Noah Wilson; Amie Kate Plummer; and Wyatt Turner; sister, Caroylea and Leonard Bowers; brother-in-law Charles Hammett; sister-in-law, Helen Noe; nephew she helped raise, Charles and Lani McKnight; and many special nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by husband, Kenneth Wayne Noe; siblings and their spouses Roy and Frances McKnight, Joseph and Judy McKnight, Harry and Anne McKnight, and Ella Mae Hammett.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at 5:00 pm at Berry Highland South, 9010 Simpson Rd. Funeral Service will follow at 7:00 pm with Pastor Dennis Robinson officiating and will be livestreamed on the Berry Highland South Facebook page. Private Interment will be at East Tennessee Veteran's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Gideons International at gideons.org/donate. The Noe family invites you to view and sign their online guestbook at berryhighlandsouth.com.
