Ben was born October 19, 1952, to LaVerne Frances Estes and Jimmie Leif Olson of Midland, Texas. LaVerne subsequently married Ed Noble in Oklahoma, where they had a daughter. They moved from Tulsa, Oklahoma to Atlanta where Ed developed and built the Lenox Square Shopping Center, the first regional shopping center in the southeast. Ed did his best to provide a loving home for Ben and LaVerne.
Ben grew up in Atlanta where he attended RL Hope followed by elementary school at The Westminster Schools, Dykes High School and Pace Academy, with a year in between at Kemper Military Academy in Booneville, Missouri. He then went on to Menlo College and the University of Georgia.
Initially, Ben served as sales associate with Marketing Resources and Development, a surgical instrument import company, in Atlanta, Georgia. He was on the board of Lenox Inns Corporation in Atlanta, on the board of American Artists Film Corporation for several years, a founding Director of Hank Aaron Enterprises, and an investor in other ventures.
He had his pilot’s license and was an avid shotgun shooter, traveling around the US, Europe, and Russia to participate in sporting clays and FITASC tournaments. Ben was also very interested in politics, both local and national, and was a member of The Loose Group. Additionally, he was a member of Capital City Country Club, Mensa, and Park City Club in Dallas, TX. Ben found his own slice of paradise in the Caribbean at the Grand Case Beach Club in St. Martin.
Ben was predeceased by his parents, Jimmie and LaVerne, and is survived by his sister, Vivian Noble DuBose (Sam) of Atlanta, Georgia and his niece, Ginger DuBose Heckman (James). The family wishes to thank Betty Gramm and Wynn Henderson for their loyal friendship to Ben.
There will be a private service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Atlanta Humane Society at 1551 Perry Boulevard, NW, Atlanta, Georgia, 30318.
