Noble Gilbert Powers, Jr., 95, recently of Fairmont, WV passed away Sunday, June 19, 2022. He was born in Nashville, TN on July 27, 1926, a son of the late Noble Gilbert Powers, Sr. and Viola Browning Powers.

Noble graduated from Tennessee School for the Deaf, obtaining a diploma and a printer's trade. Later in life he attended classes at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, later attending Gallaudet College (now Gallaudet University). Personal illness interfered with his degree work, leaving 15 credit hours remaining. He was a member of the Kappa Gamma Fraternity in 1986.

Noble was recognized as a proud supporter of many Deaf and Deaf/Blind social and public service groups. He was recognized by the United Way of Chattanooga with the LeTourneau Award. He was also recognized by the State of Tennessee for his work with the Deaf/Blind and was a past president of the Deaf/Blind Association in Chattanooga.

He was Past Master of Gallaudet Lodge, Ancient Delta Guild Free and Accepted Masons of North America and later elected to the Grand Lodge as a Grand Marshall. He also became affiliated with the Midian Shrine, Topeka, KS.

In his early years, Noble worked for various major newspapers - including the Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, Washington Star, and The News - as a Linotype Operator and culminated his printing career with the Government Printing Office with assignments in the Patent and Congressional Record Departments.

After departing the Washington DC area for College Grove, TN, Noble obtained drafting credentials, and a position as the first hearing impaired Waterways Inspector for the Army Corps of Engineers, supporting the Tenn-Tom Project.

Noble is survived by three sons, David S. Powers and fiancée Janet L. Phipps, Fred C. Powers and wife Michelle, and Ralph E. Powers; grandchildren, Shawn Riley and wife Stacey, Jennifer Peery and husband John, Christopher, Angelica, Jennifer, Mary, Michael, Anaya, Lauren, and Andrew; and seven great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Noble was preceded in death by his wives, Betty Lula Breakfield (married 1949), and Leatha Keys Holloway (married 1978); and his brother, Rev. Minor E. Powers of Nashville, TN.

There will be a graveside service at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Franklin, TN on Thursday, July 14, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.domicofh.com.