Charles Boyce Noell

Born in Columbus, GA, November. 6, 1955, to Boyce Rainey and Vivian Ruth Weekley Noell, Charlie was one of five children, all boys. He was a 1973 graduate of Hardaway High School and later graduated from Columbus College with a bachelor’s degree in English.

Charlie rarely spoke of his talents, but he had many. He became a newspaper reporter, copy editor, news editor and masterful page designer, working first for The Ledger-Enquirer (Columbus, GA) and then The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC). He served on the AJC’s coverage team for the 1996 Olympic Games. He retired from the AJC in 2019 after 31 years of service.

Charlie, who started his journalism career as an obituary clerk and reporter in Columbus, could feel the importance of news and knew how to create pages that communicated with the reader. Few did it as well. 

He loved the outdoors -- whether in Panama City Beach, FL with family, at the ninth hole, or on the tennis court with friends or his son.

Indoors, Charlie developed a passion for music from a young age,  learning to play the piano. Two of his favorite composers were Frederic Chopin and Mozart. While he loved classical music, Charlie enjoyed pounding out a ragtime tune on an upright piano and also playing classic gospel music. Friends and colleagues recalled how he often typed on a computer keyboard with the intensity and style of a virtuoso. Another hobby of his was playing pool; a pool table became an early addition to their home in Peachtree City.

Charlie loved his pet dogs, liked to cook and was a regular viewer of the television game show, “Jeopardy!” which he and his devoted wife Ann, watched together each evening. Ann and Charlie, both journalists, met while working at the Ledger-Enquirer and married in 1988.

Charlie was a dedicated husband, father, brother, friend, uncle and cousin. Family was important to him, and he often vacationed with his brothers and their families, and his cousins.

He is survived by his wife, Ann Deacon Noell; son, Christopher Alexander Noell; brothers, Arthur Roger Noell (Becky) and Stephen Mark Noell; and a number of much-loved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

His heavenly reception includes his loving parents; and his brothers, Richard Edward Noell and Michael Paul Noell.

He will be truly missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bloomfosters.org (helping foster children in Georgia) or Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (choa.org).

A Visitation will be held at Carmichael-Hemperley Funeral Home & Crematory, 135 Senoia Road, Peachtree City, GA 30269, US, on May 15, 2026, from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM.

A Funeral Service will follow in the Chapel at Carmichael-Hemperley Funeral Home & Crematory, 135 Senoia Road, Peachtree City, GA 30269, US, on May 15, 2026, at 1:30 PM.