Robert Primrose Noble III

Robert P. Noble, III, 84, of Raleigh passed away June 5, 2017 in Sunset Beach, NC. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Anne Marie Noble (Hendricks) and parents Robert P. Noble, Jr. and Madge Brigman Noble.

A lifelong North Carolinian, Bob spent his childhood years in Goldsboro, later living in Edenton, Raleigh, Rocky Mount and Winston-Salem throughout his tenure with Wachovia where he worked nearly 35 years, retiring as Executive Vice President. A true Sunset Beach kindred spirit, Bob spent some of his happiest days on the beach he loved most.

Bob graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in June 1955 and was subsequently accepted into the Marine Corps Officers Candidate School in Quantico, VA; proudly serving his country until 1959. He married Anne Marie Hendricks on August 10, 1957 in Bluefield, WV. Bob and Anne Marie shared a beautiful life together, raising two sons and enjoying seven grandchildren before her death in May 2010. Bob was blessed to find happiness again in Nancy Bates Martin. Bob and Nancy married June 22, 2013 and had nearly four happy years together. We are thankful for the companionship, joy and comfort Nancy brought to our Papa the last years of his life.

Bob was bigger than life, never met a stranger and brightened any room he was in. Family and friends were his true passion, always making time to stay connected and nurture his relationships. Grandchildren, friends of grandchildren and even unsuspecting neighborhood children have many happy memories of Papa “picking them up by their ears” and challenging them to a rousing game of thumb wrestling.

An avid sportsman, Bob was most proud of his multiple senior club championships at Old Town Club in Winston-Salem. He was head coach of the Country Club Hills Mighty Mites football team for several years. In his senior year of high school, he and his lifelong friend, Charles Norwood, were N.C. amateur double tennis champions. Bob successfully achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.

In addition to many cherished friends, Bob is survived by his wife Nancy Noble (Bates); sons, Robert "Rob" P. Noble, IV (Tracey) and William "Bill" H. Noble (Terry); and grandchildren, Robert "Quint" Noble, V (Jenna), Collin, Will, Gardner, Marie, Bryce and Evan Noble. Also surviving are beloved sister and sister-in-law, Sherry Noble Joyce and Billie Joan Potter (Hendricks); his dear cousin, Dr. Danny B. Jones (Marilyn); nephews, David Potter and Don Joyce, Jr.; and niece, Dee Joyce.

A celebration of Bob’s life and legacy will be held at White Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1704 Oberlin Rd., Raleigh at 2:00 pm Friday, June 9.

A reception will be held at Carolina Country Club immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob’s honor to the Stephen Ministry at Centenary UMC, 646 West Fifth St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, NC.