Camelia Harvey Noblin

Last year around this time, Camelia Noblin was doing what she loved to do — preparing food for her gathered family. Some of her children and grandchildren asked her to show us how she prepares her chicken and dumplings. Following her directions of “a little of this and a little of that,” we wrote down some semblance of her preparation. And in reflecting on her life since her passing, we have realized that, for years and years as a mother and grandmother and great grandmother, she’s been showing all of us how to prepare not only chicken and dumplings but also how to prepare an abundant life — from “a little of this and a little of that.”

“A little of this and a little of that” — faithfulness, strength, unconditional love, and her smile.

Camelia was a devoted Christian, a vessel for Jesus. Her faith was the centerpiece of her life around which everything else revolved. A prayer warrior for others, she lived out Romans 8:28, always having faith that “all things work together for good for those who love the Lord.” She encouraged us not to worry about what’s next because, as she said, God will cover it. She had often said she was ok to die when called because she was good with God. We imagine that when she entered Heaven, she was greeted with “Welcome home, my precious Camelia. Well done, my faithful servant and friend.”

Camelia’s strength was sturdy yet gentle. Her strength was manifest in how she companioned her family when anyone was in need, often setting her own needs aside. After becoming a widow, she found the strength to flourish, taking trips with our families which she would do for many more years. And even as her health and mobility deteriorated later in life, she called upon her strength to be present for her family in their celebrations of joy. She simply wasn’t going to miss any opportunity to be with her family.

Camelia’s love was unconditional. She showed up. She walked alongside, she encouraged, she supported, she helped. She was steadfast. No matter what.

Camelia's smile. For those who knew her, those two words say everything. Camelia’s smile made others feel special and welcome and comfortable in her presence. Doctors and nurses commented how she was always smiling even though she was in pain. It seems to us as if she was always smiling. Her smile would brighten up a room. And it is how we will always remember her, especially when we close our eyes and think of her.

“A little of this and a little of that” was how she prepared an abundant life -- for herself and for any and all who were in her presence. That’s who she was. She would always say that she was so blessed to have us, but we were the ones blessed to have her.

Camelia was born in Forest, Mississippi on September 28, 1936 into the Harvey family who, like her, were hard working, down-to-earth people with big hearts. Camelia attended Forest High School and East Central Community College. She married her high school sweetheart Jim Noblin on June 2, 1957. In Jackson, they raised their three children David, Dawn and Jeff.

Camelia loved her Sunday School, her bridge groups and her La Soiree’ luncheon club. She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. They brought their Mawmaw so much joy.

Camelia died peacefully at St. Dominic Hospital on December 7, 2022 and is survived by two sons, David Noblin (Renee) and Jeff Noblin (Sallie), and one daughter, Dawn Noblin Pope (Nelson). She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Jarrett Noblin, Cody Noblin, Sam Noblin, Ashley Noblin Kell (Costa), James Noblin, Blake Noblin, Sarah Pope Cook (Caleb), Neil Pope (Lara Kate), and Jamey Pope. She is also survived by four great- grandchildren: Callie, Abigail, and Lillie Cook and Presley Noblin. Camelia is also survived by two sisters, Valoree Griffing and Vickie Hill (Keith), by one brother, Randy Harvey (Debbie), by one brother-in-law Charlie Waggoner, and by one sister-in-law JoAnn Gilbert (Butch).

Camelia is preceded in death by her husband James Noblin, Jr., by her parents Charlene and JB Harvey, by brothers Richard Harvey and James Harvey (Peggy), and by her sister Debbie Waggoner.

Visitation will be 12-2pm on Friday, December 16th at Briarwood Methodist Church in Jackson with a service to follow at 2pm. Burial will follow afterwards at Parkway Memorial Cemetery in Ridgeland.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Camelia's name to Children's of Mississippi at 2500 N State St. Jackson, MS 39216.