Granville E. Noblit

Granville Edwin (G.E.) Noblit, III (Bud), age 77, of Young Harris, Georgia, passed away on Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at Union General Hospital in Blairsville, Georgia, following a brief illness. Bud was born in Tarpon Springs, Florida on January 16, 1932. He was the grandson of Tarpon Springs pioneer, Granville Edwin Noblit, Sr., originally from Brockwayville, Pennsylvania. Bud was preceded in death by his brother, William V. Noblit, and his son, Granville Edwin Noblit, IV.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Evelyn K. Noblit, of Young Harris; two daughters: Carol N. Mahler (Michael J. Mahler) of Auburndale, Florida and Jill N. MacGregor (Duncan Travis MacGregor) of Tarpon Springs, Florida; his daughter-in-law, Deborah K. Noblit, of Oldsmar, Florida; his sister, Mary Dawn Dewees of Mission Veijo, California; 9 grandchildren and other relatives and dear friends.

Bud was a 1953 graduate of the University of Florida and a member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. Upon graduation from UF, he received his commission in the U.S. Navy, as Lieutenant Junior Grade, where he served as a communications and underwater demolition officer during the Korean War. He was assigned to the U.S.S. Exploit, one of the first non-magnetic mine-sweepers. Upon completion of his tour of duty, Bud became a partner in his family's insurance business, Noblit Insurance Agency, Inc., founded by his father, Granville Edwin Noblet, Jr., in 1938. Bud retired from the agency in 1987. He was involved in many civic organizations and a member of First United Methodist Church of Tarpon Springs. In 2002, Bud and Evelyn settled in the Young Harris community. A memorial service will be held at a later date in his hometown of Tarpon Springs.

Cochran Funeral Home - Blairsville Chapel, in charge of arrangements. Please send condolences to www.cochranfuneralhomes.com