Rebecca Bess Howell Nobles, 84, passed away October 21, 2023, peacefully surrounded by her family. Rebecca was born June 19, 1939, in Hattiesburg, MS to William Louie and Fannie Burkett Howell and moved to Bristol in 1963. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Bristol. Becky loved music, singing in the church choir, playing the piano and singing at the nursing home. She was active in the prison fellowship ministry for many years. After retiring from Liberty County school system as a secretary, she served as a member of the Bristol City Council and as Mayor of the City of Bristol. She loved God family and others, always willing to help when needed. She was preceded in death by her father and mother, husbands, Bobby Joe Nobles Sr., and Jack Bowman; son Bobby Joe(Joey Nobles Jr.); son-in-law, Steve Smalley; grandson Ryan Nobles; and brother, Jimmy Frank Howell. Survivors include son, Louis Kimble (Kim) Nobles and wife Regina of Bristol; daughter, Carla Rebecca Smalley of Tallahassee; daughter-in-law, Carolyn Nobles of Bristol; brother, William Howell and wife Nancy of Hattiesburg, MS; many nieces and nephews; grandchildren, Leann Nobles Summers (Jacob), Amber Smalley O’Connell (Landon), Erica Nobles Smith (Ben), Lance Nobles (Jordan), Lindsey Nobles (Chance), Sky Smalley Parker (Garrett), Eliza Nobles Buchanan (Bryan); great grandchildren, Ansley Summers, Avery Summers, Nash Summers, Layla Thomas, Roman Thomas, Vera Vanlandingham, Caulder Buchanan, Jay Nobles, Gordon Parker, Gavin Parker, Liliana Parker. The Family will receive friends Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at 6:00 PM (ET) to 7:30 PM (ET) at the Peavy Funeral Home chapel in Blountstown. Funeral service will be held Wednesday October 25, 2023, at 11:00 AM (ET) at Bristol First Baptist Church in Bristol. Interment will follow at Nobles Family Cemetery in Rock Bluff. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Bristol building fund. All arrangements are under the direction of Marlon Peavy at Peavy Funeral Home in Blountstown, FL.
