Noel S. "Mickey" Justice, 75 - Spencer

(09/09/2009)
1st Sgt Noel S. "Mickey" Justice, USMC-Ret, 75, of Spencer, West Virginia, was born Friday, April 27, 1934 at Newton. He was called home, Monday, September 7, 2009, after a courageous battle with diabetes and cancer.

He leaves behind a loving wife of 54 years, Jessie P. Justice; his daughter Kellie Southall and grandchildren, Scott Harper, Mariah Southall and Sarah May were his pride and joy; also, his sisters and brothers-in-law, Darlene and Richard Hughes of Reedy, Margaret "Peggy" and Leon Starcher of Spencer and brother, Paul Collins of Jackson County; a host of nieces and nephews whom he loved as much as they loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Orland and Ruth Sharp; Newman Justice; sisters, Opal I. Stake, Doris Ann Tharaldson; infant brothers, Oral and James Justice.

Mickey saw combat in the Dominican Republic, served two tours in Viet Nam and was in the Pacific Isles at Okinawa. While stationed in Kentucky, he was named an Honorary Kentucky Colonel for his work with the Shriners. He was a recruiter and worked within the I and I Unit at various times during his career. While stationed in Spokane, WA, the city held a "Noel S. Justice Day" honoring his military and civic achievements. Noel was a Mason, a member of the Scottish and York rites of Freemasonry, a Shriner, a member of the Eastern Star and the Roane County Gun Club. He was a former member of the Marine Corps League.

After his retirement, he worked for the Roane County Sheriff Dept. and the City of Spencer, both as an officer and as a police dispatcher. He volunteered briefly at the Roane County Emergency Squad as a driver, working with his sisters. He retired from the Spencer State Hospital and the B.F. Goodrich plant.

A funeral service will be held Thursday, September 10 at 1:30 p.m. in the John H. Taylor Funeral Home, Spencer, with the Rev. Wayne McGlothlin officiating. Burial, with military graveside rites, will be in the Eventide Cemetery, Spencer. Friends may call Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.