Reverend Grady Swanson Noel

Reverend Grady Swanson Noel has crossed over into the Gloryland Way on Friday, September 20th, 2024, at the young age of 86.

 He was and will always be a beloved Husband, Father, Poppy and Minister of the Lord. Grady or Pop came into this world on December 23, 1937. He is preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Tazzie Mae Corns Noel, brothers Charles, Franklin, Lawrence, Albert Jr., Gerald, and sisters Betty, Thelma, Ruth, and Hilda. Pop was one of 15 children, 5 of whom are still living Rex, Jerry, Ralph, Joyce and Naomi who were from Wildcat Holler, West Hamlin West Virginia, but he lived with his wife in Middleburg, Florida. 

He was married to the love of his life, the Apple of his eye for 67 years Barbara Ann Napier Noel, and they had one daughter-Kristy Noel Dunfee (Rodney) who was God’s greatest gift to him. He had 3 grandchildren, Kaitlin Noel Prevatt (Jake), Aaron Hughes Dunfee (Sarah) and his namesake Patrick Grady Dunfee (Melody) and one great grandchild, Timothy Paul Dunfee (Aaron and Sarah). 

Pop was a true man of God; he loved the Lord with all of his heart and truly lived to glorify Him up until his last breath. He was a Mountain climber and he never let life even when he was in his lowest of valleys get him down. He was a lover of all things West Virginia, an Army and National Guards Veteran, a retired CSX Transportation railroader, and most importantly a Pastor. He loved gardening, wood-working, being in nature-God’s handiwork, hiking in the woods, camping with his brothers, the Cincinnati Reds baseball team, WVU/FSU fan, golf, music, food especially if it was ripe tomatoes from the garden or a good steak. He was not a complicated man he liked things to remain simple, his philosophy was: “Live life to the fullest extent but keep it simple.” He loved people! He would often say to you Good Enough, he would never be pushy or expect too much. He loved taking walks in the morning around his neighborhood and would check in on all the neighbors. He loved his little dogs, Scooter, Pippee, Sissy, Chippy, the one whom he called “the boss” little Red, and cat Effie. 

He served as Pastor of Lawtey Church of God -he loved his church and his congregation with everything he had in him. We know that he is walking those streets of gold that he has always dreamed of. He was the best person that anyone could ever meet or have in their life, the most self-less, compassionate, funny, hardworking, loving man, he will be missed terribly but we have peace in knowing that we will see him again in his new home. We love you forever and a day our handsome Pop! 

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, October 4th at 11:00AM at Lawtey Church of God. The family will accept guests one hour prior at 10:00AM. Burial will follow at Keystone Heights Cemetery.