Essie Noah

On July 21, 1947, in Drew, Mississippi, Oris and Georgia Bays gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Essie. Essie confessed Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age at St. Clair Missionary Baptist church in Lyon, Mississippi.

In August 1971, Essie was united in holy matrimony to Billy Noah, her high school sweetheart. Together they raised 4 children.  Both continued their faith in God at the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Sherard, Mississippi, where Essie served as a Sunday school teacher and faithful member of the choir. 

Later on, Essie and her husband joined a new church family, New Beginning Missionary Baptist Church in Clarksdale, Mississippi, where she served as a choir member and president of the mission ministry.

Essie was an employee at the Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center, where she worked for nearly 35 years. She served in various roles at the hospital, including a nurse aide, radiology transporter, and business office clerk. 

Throughout her life, Essie was known as a loving wife, grandmother, sister, and dear friend. She had an exceedingly pleasant spirit and a great sense of humor. Essie was an amazing songstress, who can be remembered for her great covers of “God Specializes”, “One Day At A Time”, “Landlord”, and “God Did It”, to name a few. Essie enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her beloved grandchildren. She also enjoyed traveling to various places, road trips with choir members, eating “Hibachi” and drinking milkshakes from Sonic. She enjoyed meeting new people and was very talkative.  During her final days, her favorite words of endearment were, “Titan and Maliya”. 

On the night of October 26, 2024, Essie transitioned peacefully at her home in Clarksdale, Mississippi. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and brothers; Billy, Prince, Jesse, Nathanial, and Jonathan. 

Visitation will be Friday November 1, 2024, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM at Royal Funeral Home.  The Celebration of Life will be Saturday November 2, 2024, 11:00 AM at St. Clair MB Church, 250 Mullens-Williams Road, Clarksdale, MS 38614.  Burial will follow at Oakridge Cemetery.  Pastor Alan Blake, officiating.  

She leaves behind four children - Keith Noah and Billy Noah, Jr. (Tamara) of Clarksdale, Mississippi; Derrick Noah (Dorian) of Memphis, Tennessee; and Tamara Webb of Oxford, Mississippi; and a special son-in-love, Travis Webb. In addition to her children, 2 brothers - Willie Bays (Juanita) of Clarksdale, Mississippi and Robert Bays (Edna) of Markham, Illinois; and 4 sisters - Lela Bays Keys of Clarksdale, Mississippi; Georgia Ivy (Albert) of Hinesville, Georgia; Catherine Bays of Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Vivian Harden (Charles) of Evans, Georgia. 

Essie also leaves to cherish her memories, 4 grandchildren - Kaitleen, Lydia, Maliya, and Titan; grandchildren in love, nieces and nephews. 

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