Noel Albert Broadus

Noel Albert Broadus, age 70, went “home” on April 19, 2018 after what can only be considered 67 miracle years of life. Noel was born in Biloxi on April 5, 1948 to Noel and Ethel Broadus. At the age of 3 he suffered encephalitis and a stroke, leaving him partially paralyzed with brain damage and a seizure disorder. His parents were told that he would not survive to adolescence and should be placed in a facility. His parents instead chose to care for him at home and Noel thrived as he grew up with his two older sisters, Norma and Caroline. Each birthday Noel had was celebrated as not just the passage of another year but as a true milestone. After his parents’ deaths, his sister Norma became his primary caregiver. Aside from their mother, Noel never had a bolder advocate than Norma. She fought for him when most of the medical community had given up on him. The words “quality of life” were often used by doctors when trying to persuade Noel’s family to withdraw aggressive care from him. The people in Noel’s life on a day to day basis though were able to see that there was indeed true quality of life for Noel. He loved his sister, Norma, and could communicate with her in a way that only the two of them truly understood. He had preferences (foods, hats, blankets) and was vocal about them in spite of not being able to articulate the actual words. He also had a very few favorite people and expressed affection for them on a regular basis. Noel was preceded in death by his parents, Noel S. Broadus and Ethel M. Broadus; his sister, Caroline M. Broadus Lynch; and his niece, Kimberly S. Lynch. His sister, Norma M. Broadus, followed him to heaven on May 4, 2018. Noel is survived by his niece, Jennifer A. Verbois, of Gulfport, MS. He also leaves to cherish his memory his first cousin, Mary Lois Bond of Perkinston, MS, many second cousins, and his loving church family at Temple Baptist Church in Biloxi, MS. The family would like to thank Dr. Karen Mullen and Kare In Home for seeing Noel as a valuable human being and for their willingness to work with the family in their desire to care for Noel at home. A very special thank you goes to Kitty Swetman not only for the excellent care given to Noel but for always going above and beyond to assist his family. Services will be held at Temple Baptist Church at 1860 Popps Ferry Road in Biloxi on Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 10 am. Friends may visit one hour prior at 9 am. Interment will follow at Blackwell Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Temple Baptist Church in Biloxi would be greatly appreciated. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is in charge of arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com