- Date Of Birth: July 9, 1930
- Date Of Death: December 25, 2019
- State: Florida
She is survived by four children and their spouses: Rev. Doug (Penny) Noland, Dr. Tom (Robin) Noland, Dr. Ed (Cathy) Noland, and Robyn Noland (Rev. Stuart) Condra; two sisters: Dr. Ilda Hall and Bobbie Sweeney; eight grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Lee is preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Dr. Robert (Bob) Noland and her grandson, Charles.
Lee was born July 9, 1930, in Abbeville, South Carolina.
Lee was a gifted wife and homemaker, making family her top priority. Her tables were always beautifully set and she loved to sew for her family and home. She enjoyed reading and as a teacher at heart, Lee read daily with her little ones. She trained them spiritually by modeling both Martha hands and a Mary heart – somehow balancing sitting at Jesus’ feet with serving as the consummate hostess. She taught her kids important lessons like, “It’s not yours until you write the thank you note!” and “If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”
Meanwhile, Lee maintained her personal ministry and calling by teaching in both local and state Sunday School conferences and by serving as a trainer for Continuous Witness Training (CWT) in four additional states.
As important as family was to her, Lee had to be “encouraged” (coerced) to participate in family activities involving water or wind, especially if she had just been to the beauty shop. However, she was tough when the chips were down; a fighter in her own way, having survived many life-threatening health issues. In 1990 Lee was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer. Her doctors prepared her for the worst when they reported 19 lymph nodes had been affected. God had other plans and Lee recovered to lead a large, effective cancer support group that blessed many women fighting this difficult battle.
As a pastor’s kid (PK) and part of “The Greatest Generation,” Lee held scruples others might consider outdated.
Lee eventually became legally blind but always amazed the family with the things she DID see such as spots on shirts or Bob putting things in the wrong place. She could still direct us to her doctor’s office or the nearest Wendy’s for chicken nuggets and a Frosty.
As talented and smart as Lee was, there were many things she could not do:
*Lie;
*Tell a joke;
*Tell a story quickly;
*Stop asking questions;
*Know when someone was pulling her leg;
*Say “no” to chocolate or peanut brittle;
*Say “no” to someone in need; and,
*Be unorganized.
The Noland family would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to the staff of The Beehive for taking such exceptional care of “Lena,” especially since Bob’s death in July, 2019.
