Mrs. Iris Joyce “Jinky” Noble Schmelling, age 82, of Ocean Springs, passed away on Wednesday, December 17, 2014 in Biloxi, MS.
She was born in Jackson County on August 23, 1932 to the late James “Bud” and Henrietta Noble and resided in the Fountainbleau Community of Ocean Springs her entire life. Joyce was also a lifelong member of Belle Fountain Baptist Church. She graduated from Ocean Springs High School where she was class president, cheerleader and two time homecoming queen. She spent many years serving the Ocean Springs School District as a homeroom mother selling savings stamps for US Bonds, PTA member, and substitute teacher. Joyce was a member of the Ocean Springs Business and Professional Women’s Organization for several years serving as President in 1979. She retired from Ingalls in 1992 where she worked as a Material Analysis. She and several members of her immediate family were charter members of Ocean Spring’s only costume Mardi Gras association, Merry Makers. She loved gardening, traveling and spending time with her girls and grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Edwin Allen Schmelling, Jr., and siblings; Esther Gabrich, J.W. Noble, H.C. (Pat) Noble, Lucille McConnell, and Annette Cox.
Among her survivors are her twin brother, Ira Royce "Rinky" Noble, four daughters; Myown Joy (Joe) Mitchell, Jill Evetta (Jimmy) Davis, Jan Lorraine (John) Yarborough, Jo Ellen (Paul) Seymour, grandchildren; Brett (Michelle) Mitchell, Danica (Brett) Bogard, Jarred Mitchell, Erica Davis, John Curtis (Blair) Davis, Jillian Davis, John Allen Yarborough, Joshua Seymour, Jacquelyn Seymour and twelve great grandchildren as well as two loving care givers Amber Caporuscio and Sue Strawn, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
Visitation will be on Friday, December 19, from 11 am ~ 12 noon, with a 12 noon chapel service, all at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home, with Dr. Michael Barnett officiating. Interment will follow at Belle Fountain Baptist Church Cemetery in Ocean Springs.