Eleanor J. Supple

Eleanor Thompson Jamison Noblin Supple of Staunton, VA, passed away early Christmas morning, December 25, 2024.

She was born on November 17, 1920, in Belle Haven, on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, the daughter of The Reverend William Chalmers Jamison, a Presbyterian minister, and Carrie Elizabeth Thompson Jamison.

While Eleanor was a toddler, The Jamisons moved to Kannapolis, NC where her father pastored the First Presbyterian Church of Kannapolis. In 1928, the Jamisons moved back to Virginia for her father to pastor the Hebron Presbyterian Church located out in the country just south of Staunton. Because of the isolation of country living, Eleanor read voraciously and spent much time with her mother learning to bake and cook, and listening to operas, symphonies and dramas on the radio. She dreamed of traveling the world and perhaps being a princess.

She graduated from Robert E. Lee High School and attended Mary Baldwin College, where she majored in English and graduated in 1942. Eleanor was bestowed the lifelong nickname “Hi” by her older sister Carolyn, who died while of pre-school age. There was also a younger sister, Marianna Jamison (Leach). On June 23, 1951, Eleanor married Embra Yancy Noblin, Jr., in a double wedding ceremony with her sister, performed at the First Presbyterian Church of Staunton and presided over by her father and the father of her sister’s groom, The Reverend Harold Houston Leach.

Eleanor spent a majority of her working years teaching upper elementary students Geography, History and English at Wasena Elementary School in Roanoke, VA. She was an active member of the Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church. In November 1973, her first husband died.

Eleanor was the caretaker of the family. She nursed her husband and her father as they battled cancer. She had her mother live with her for nearly a decade. She also assisted her mother-in-law and special needs brother-in-law long after the death of her husband.

In 1987, Eleanor solicited the services of a realtor in selling her mother’s home. She hired a long-time family friend who was a realtor in Staunton, VA. Not only did he sell the home, but on October 10, 1987, Sidney Marvin Supple and Eleanor were married at Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church. They resided together in Staunton for thirty-seven years until Sidney’s death on October 21, 2024.

Sidney was a perfect second husband as he and his adult children welcomed Eleanor into their family. A consummate southern gentleman, Sidney nurtured Eleanor through a series of knee and hip replacements. Once Eleanor mended, the couple embarked on many vacation excursions throughout the United States, The Caribbean and Europe, thus fulfilling Eleanor’s dreams of traveling.

The Supples were active in the community and their church. Eleanor was especially active with her beloved Mary Baldwin College (now University). She developed a close friendship with Dr. Cynthia Tyson, then president of Mary Baldwin.

In 2017, at the age of ninety-six, Eleanor was selected as homecoming queen of Mary Baldwin, fulfilling another dream. She was absolutely radiant as she and Sidney presided over the festivities. More recently, Mary Baldwin honored the couple again by establishing the “Supple Society” as an inducement to encourage faithful annual financial support of Mary Baldwin.

Eleanor is survived by her nephew, William C. Leach, of Smith Mountain Lake, VA; her second family, a daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Max Hirtriter, Jr. of Staunton; a son and partner, Stephen Supple and Gilbert Stratton of Charlottesville; a granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Stephanie and Brian Mitchell; and a great grandson, Bentley Sidney Mitchell of Zion Crossroads; a step-granddaughter, Pamela Scheider of Staunton; and special friends, including Martha Wray and Peggy James.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church (100 E Frederick St, Staunton, VA 24401) or Mary Baldwin University (Mary Baldwin Office of University Advancement, P.O. Box 1500 Staunton, VA 24402).

A visitation will be at 10:00 AM on Friday, January 3, 2025, at Henry Funeral Home followed by a celebration of life at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 3, 2025, at Henry Funeral Home with The Reverend Dr. Jeff Binder officiating. 

Inurnment will be in Greenville United Methodist Church Cemetery.