Mary Jane Noble, 81, passed away today at a local hospital after a lengthy illness.

A longtime Ardmore resident, Mary Jane Noble is a member of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and served on The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation Board of Trustees and the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents.

"She was a phenomenal woman with extraordinary vision and wisdom," said Michael A. Cawley, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Noble Foundation. "Her compassion was limitless, and she had a continual desire to give back to Oklahoma and the citizens of the state she loved."

Noble was born on Dec. 2, 1925, to Mary Bratton and Harry Curtis in Marshall, Ark. At an early age, she moved with her family first to McAlester and then to Idabel, where she lived until entering the University of Oklahoma.

In 1946, Noble received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and married Sam Noble. After graduation, she worked in the position of receptionist-secretary for the Dean of Women, while Sam Noble continued classes at OU. From there she worked as secretary for the Departments of Economics, History, Administration and Russian Civilization at Dartmouth College, while her husband pursued another degree.

After college, the Nobles established a residence in Ardmore. Noble became a home executive and the mother of four children: Lloyd, Nick, Rusty and Shelley Dru. She was a member of the St. Philips Episcopal Church, where she served in numerous capacities. Through her life, Noble served in leadership positions with numerous civic and community organizations, including president of Ardmore Day Nursery, the Ivy Garden Club, Sunshine Industries, Arbuckle Life Solutions and Glen Foundation of Ardmore. She was vice-president of the Oklahoma Heritage Association.

She served on the board of directors/board of trustees/board of regents for the Noble Foundation, University of Oklahoma, Scott and White (Temple, Texas), the Alina Lodge, the Oklahoma University Alumni Association, Goddard Art Center, the Fine Arts College of the University of Oklahoma and Father Martin's Ashley (Havre de Grace, Md.).

She also served as chairman of the Substance Abuse Advisory Council to the Oklahoma State Mental Health Board and Ardmore Regional Park Board. She assisted with Campfire Girls. Additionally, she was a precinct election official for more than 10 years.

In 1983, Noble was honored as the Citizen of the Year in Ardmore, and in the spring of 1995, she received an honorary doctorate degree from OU. On Nov. 18, 1995, she was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.

Survivors included three sons and one daughter-in-law: Lloyd Noble II, Nick Noble, and Rusty and Sally Noble; one daughter and one son-in-law, Shelley Dru Mullins and her husband, Jeff; seven grandchildren: Cody Noble, Jessie Noble-Nance, Kate Noble-Parker, Lars Noble, Morgan Noble, Ryan Mullins and Blair Mullins; two great grandchildren: Hattie Nance and Riley Noble; two aunts; and several cousins.

A friend of Bill W. for 31 years.

Her hobbies included bridge, crossword puzzles, reading and supporting OU women's basketball.

Funeral arrangements are pending with Craddock Funeral Home. Memorial contributions can be made in Mary Jane Noble's honor to the following:

Father Martin's Ashley
PO Box 240
Havre de Grace, MD 21078

St. Philip's Episcopal Church
516 McLish
Ardmore, OK 73401

Oklahoma University Women's Basketball Team/OU Foundation
100 Timberdell Road
Norman, OK 73019

Glen Foundation
935 Grand Avenue
PO Box 2452
Ardmore, OK 73401

07-057

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Photo:

Mary Jane Noble

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News Release Issued: October 26, 2007

The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc. (www.noble.org), headquartered in Ardmore, Okla., is a nonprofit organization conducting agricultural, forage improvement and plant biology research; assisting farmers and ranchers through educational and consultative agricultural programs; and providing grants to nonprofit charitable, educational and health organizations.