ANITA ESTELLE NOEL

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Lamar United Methodist Church for Anita Estelle (Tallent) Noel, who died Wednesday, July 21, 2021. Visitation will be held prior to the service time, beginning at 10 a.m.

A short graveside service will be held at 3 p.m., at West Fork Cemetery in West Fork, Ark.

Arrangements are under the direction of Daniel Funeral Home.

Contributions are suggested and made payable to the Lamar United Methodist Church or Good Samaritan Shop, in care of the funeral home.

Condolences may be shared at www.dfhlamar.com.

Survivors include her sister, Juanita Tallent, Hot Springs, Ark.; her children, Allyson Noel, Rio Rancho, NM, Melissa Branson and husband Rick, Overland Park, Kan. and Matthew Noel and wife Joyce, Orange, Calif.; five grandchildren, Adam Noel, Derek Noel, Bethanie Burandt, Rachel Branson and Faith Branson; five great-grandchildren and many beloved nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Robert and her brothers and sisters, Marshall, Paul, Audine, Clarys and Gladys.

Mrs. Noel was born Dec. 17, 1931, in Meyers, Ark., and grew up on a 200 acre homestead in the midst of the Ouachita National Forest. She was the youngest of seven children of Alonzo and Avis Tallent, who made their home near Meyers Creek. She graduated from Lake Hamilton High School and attended the University of Arkansas, graduating in 1954 with a degree in Home Economics. While she was there, she lived in the 4H House, an experience that brought her many life-long friends. After graduating from college, she took a position as a home demonstration agent with the gas company, conducting home and group demonstrations of gas appliances to customers in the Northwest Arkansas area. Later that year, she was introduced through a friend to her future husband Bob Noel. After Bob graduated from college in 1959, they moved to several different cities for his work with the FAA, including Atlanta, Oklahoma City and San Antonio before returning to Arkansas again. Their first daughter, Allyson, came along in 1960, followed by Melissa in 1962 and their son Matt in 1966. They eventually moved to Lamar in 1969, building their family home in Lamar Heights.

Mrs. Noel loved her upbringing in Arkansas, often telling stories about her family and friends, about Meyers Creek and all the things that came along with growing up in a time when, like many other families, they didn't have much. That upbringing taught her all about gardening, canning, cooking, sewing and many other skills. While they didn't have much, the family always worked hard and did what they could to help others. She put it simply, "We had our family and friends, we worked hard together and played together and enjoyed our lives. I don't remember any bad times."

Mrs. Noel was proud to be a homemaker and especially made her husband happy with her home cooked meals. While her children were in school, she frequently worked as a substitute teacher in elementary through high school. She volunteered with Brownies, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and Sunday school. She was an accomplished seamstress and eventually opened a drapery shop in her home at which she worked for a number of years, making drapes and window treatments for many homes in the community and surrounding communities. She found great joy in service to others, whether it was serving in her church and clubs, delivering Meals On Wheels or just serving anyone in need, in addition to always being there for her family and friends. She had a true servant's heart.

She leaves a legacy defined by her faith in Christ, her deep love for her family, her kindness and her care for others.