Barbara Noe Fagan
Barbara Noe Fagan, 87, of Clinton passed away peacefully on Jan. 9, 2025, after a journey with Parkinson’s disease and dementia.
Despite her illness, Barbara maintained her angelic sweetness, kindness and grace until the end.
Barbara was born on Dec. 27, 1937, in Harlan, Kentucky, to Carl and Ruth Noe. Her family later moved to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where she graduated from Oak Ridge High School in 1953. She attended the University of Alabama, majoring in music. While there, she was a member of the Alpha Phi sorority and performed in several musicals that showcased her beautiful voice.
While attending the University of Alabama, Barbara was introduced to Fred Fagan of Clinton, Tennessee, who was stationed by the Air Force in Mobile, Alabama. Music may have been her passion, but the man in uniform captured her heart, and the couple married in 1955.
Over the next several years Barbara gave birth to five children, whom she absolutely cherished. In 1968, she began working for South Central Bell, retiring early in 1992 to focus on her dream job: being the doting Grandma Barbara to her own beautiful grandchildren. She also became a childcare provider for several families in Clinton and Knoxville. She was back loving her babies, which brought her so much joy. This was such a blessing for Barbara and the 20 or so children she poured her love into.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Ruth Noe, and by Fred Fagan, the father of her children.
She is survived by her brother, Carl Noe of California, who was her only sibling; She is also survived by all five of her children: her precious son Freddy Fagan of Clinton, Joe Fagan (Meggie) of Florida, Angela Poole (Steven) of South Carolina, Donna Parke (Chuck) of Andersonville, and John Fagan (Kellie) of Clinton; Barbara is also survived by all nine of her grandchildren: Katie, Murray, Bekah, Daniel, Hannah, Gwyneth, Andrew, Noah and Cole; and Barbara’s five great-grandchildren are: Harper, Riley, Jordan, Landry, and Charlie.
Barbara was a volunteer for Contact, a suicide-prevention hotline, and was a member of the Pioneers Club. She also enjoyed many years of Jazzercise with her two closest friends, Marian Hendren and Henrietta Pittman.
A receiving of friends will be held at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m., with a memorial service to follow at 7 p.m. Chaplain Ben Neal will officiate.
The family would like to thank the staff of Norris Health and Rehab for the loving care and professionalism they always exhibited with their mother. They would also like to thank the kind and caring specialists from UT Hospice for improving Barbara’s level of comfort during the final months of her life, and for helping her family prepare for her passing.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Barbara’s honor to the Michael J. Fox Foundation at give.michaeljfox.org.
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