JOYCE ELIZABETH POWELL NOBLE, the daughter of the late Onnie and Rebecca Powell was born in Buffalo, New York on November 11, 1932. She departed this life on November 5, 2023, after a long illness.
Joyce accepted Christ at an early age and grew up singing in the choir of Calvary Baptist Church in Buffalo, New York. When she moved to Florida, she was a member of Macedonia A.M.E Church in Fernandina Beach, FL and later St. James A.M.E. Church in Titusville, Florida.
After graduating from Hutchinson Tech High School with Honors, she went on to D’Youville College where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. She continued her education at the University of Buffalo, where she earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work and became a Certified Psychiatric Social Worker for the State of New York.
Joyce was employed at Erie Country Department of Social Services, and for a brief time worked as a Psychiatric Social Worker at the Veteran’s Hospital. Because of her love of children and families, she returned to Erie County and rose over the years to become instrumental in developing one of the first Child Protection Services divisions with the New York State. She became the first director of the Erie Country Social Services-Child Protection Services. Under her leadership the division grew, and laws and procedures were developed that protect the children of New York State.
After her retirement from the county, she continued to work with families, at Geneva B. Scruggs. Her passion was to work with families to keep the family unit together and assisting them in achieving skills and training to become successful in the community.
Following her second retirement she moved to Florida with her husband where she enjoyed reading, working in her garden and traveling.
Joyce was a Member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. served on the boards of various organizations including the former Longwood Children’s Home.
Joyce was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Reche T. Noble, Jr.; her sister, Gloria Scott, and brothers: Ernest and Bishop Raymond Powell, Sr.
She leaves to mourn her passing, her and Reche’s children: Rebecca Noble (Samuel) Shine, Anthony Noble, Rechea Noble, and grandson, Anthony, Jr.; loving nieces; Constance Young of Los Angeles, CA and Elycia Daniel of Atlanta, GA; sisters, Reverend M. Helen Powell and Constance Powell of Amherst, NY; sisters-in-law, Mercedes Johnson, Eunice Scott and Amelia Noble; brothers- in-law, William Warren Johnson, Jr.; and Cassius Noble; Goddaughter, Elaine Stewart, as well as a host of other relatives, friends and neighbors.
The family will receive friends Tuesday, November 14, 2023, 11 AM at Durham Memorial AME Zion Outreach Center, 200 East Eagle Street, Buffalo, New York 14204. Omega Omega Service to be held at 11:15 AM with a Celebration of Life to follow at 12 PM. Interment Forest Lawn Cemetery.
