Willa Dean Noah

Willa Dean Higdon Noah was born on July 25, 1944 to Roscoe and Hazel Higdon (deceased). She was third from the youngest sibling. She had five brothers: Erskine (deceased), Edward (deceased), Eugene, Jerry, and Bill (deceased). She also had three sisters: Lola Dean, Kathleen, and Virginia. She has a set of nine more half brothers and sisters whom she meet for the first time about ten years ago that live in Georgia. Willa’s mother, Hazel, raised her nine children as a single parent. Willa Dean was a hard worker and great cook. She got many of her work ethics and cooking skills from her mother and mother-in-law, Annie Mae Noah.

Willa meet the love of her life, Marion Noah (deceased)at age 16. Marion was 18. He had this lavender Pontiac. Willa said she thought that was the prettiest car! They were married on February 17, 1961. Their first child, Tammy Ann Noah was born on a very cold day, December 8, 1962. Things did not look very good. Willa had problems in labor and lost a lot of blood. The doctor told Marion she might not make it. Marion sat down in a hallway in the old Baptist Hospital in Gadsden and began to cry, so loudly he could be heard on other floors sobbing. He said this woman who he had not noticed sat down beside him and asked if she could pray with him. She prayed and he said he felt better and more at peace. He started asking around about the woman and had anyone seen her. No one had. Until the day he died in 2007, he said he really thinks the woman was an angel, or someone sent by God to help him through that horrible time. Mother and baby both were fine. Eleven years later, God blessed them with a son, Rodney Eugene Noah.

Willa was a very hard worker all her life. She picked cotton just about from the time she was able to walk. She later worked other jobs such as in retail at the old Belk Store in Gadsden. Later on, she worked as a lunchroom worker and eventually manager until she retired from Etowah County Board of Education. Willa was always fun to be around. She was the life of the party and always had something funny to say. She actually didn’t even realize she was being funny. She just was a friendly person and well liked by everyone and could light up a room when she walked in. She was a member of Pine Grove Baptist Church in Glencoe, Alabama. She became a Christian as a young teen and was baptized in a creek which they later found an alligator in! She made sure her family went to church every Sunday. She had to give an occasional pinch on the leg if they got a little too restless, or even a switch to their bottom if they really misbehaved. Usually, a half piece of Juicy Fruit gum that tasted like the inside of her purse would sustain them through the whole service.

When Marion died on Sept. 12, 2007, her light for life was gone. They truly understood “And the two shall become one.” Their love and marriage was strong and loving and her other half was now gone. Although she knew he was in Heaven her heart yearned for him.

Willa loved all her grandchildren. She had a special love for her son-in-law Keith Whitten who is married to Tammy. Keith lovingly called her, “Mommy Dearest”!

In 2015 Willa did have a little ray of sunshine come back into her life when her great-granddaughter, Elle, was born. Elle loved her Maw Maw Dean and looked forward to trips to visit and spend the night at her house in Glencoe. Elle loved going to the “Big Chief” and “Jeffers Pond” to feed the ducks.

Willa began having numerous health issues and in the end her broken heart just could not be mended here on this earth. She is now with Jesus whom she loved and the love of her life, Marion! How can anyone be sad for her? She is healed, pain free, heart mended, walking on streets of gold without being out of breath, no more tears, no more pain! Hallelujah, her faith is now become sight!