John Clayton Nobles

John Clayton “J.C.” Nobles

JEFFERSONVILLE - John Clayton “J.C.” Nobles, 72, of Magnolia St. passed away Friday August 29, 2025 at home surrounded by love.

A Celebration of J.C.’s life will be held at the Red Barn in the Old Clinton Historic District on Nov. 22, 2025 at 3pm.

JC was born in Macon, GA, the son of the late Joseph Edward Nobles and late Delma Blondine Wright Nobles. He was preceded in death by his parents, his older sister Mabel Elizabeth Nobles Mays, and various beloved aunts and uncles. He poured his talents into many trades including serving in the Army during the Vietnam era, a long stint in the electronics business including owning a video store, being one of the first in the area that sold and installed home satellites, and then later working for a large distributer covering the southeast. He finally retired from AT&T after 20 years as a lineman. In each career path he walked, he did so with skill and pride.

JC was an unwavering supporter of our troops and veterans from all wars. He was an avid Civil War re-enactor for almost four decades. He was a founding member of the Old Clinton Historical Society in Gray, GA and launched the now annual Old Clinton War Days event that is held in early May. JC never missed that event and even managed it to some degree every year including the last year at 72 years old. History was incredibly important to him. He collected and read so many books that his family is currently drowning in them. But keeping history alive was vital to him, and as he would say to spectators at reenactment events, “I’m not here to say what was right or wrong, but to show you what happened.”

JC was larger than life. You might even say he was infamous. If you met him, you remembered him. Maybe it was as the unrepentant rapscallion who said something so outlandish you blushed and laughed at the same time. Maybe it was as a mentor who would try to feed you, guide you and know the minute you got safely back into the house. Or maybe as the irreverent Yank terrorizing the countryside or haggard corn-federate depicting life during the War Between the States. He made a lasting impression on every person who met him, no matter how brief a meeting. Mere words could never fully capture this man. If you got to know all these pieces of him, you were a lucky person indeed.

Survivors include his Partner, Mary Catharine “Cathy” Wheeler. His Daughter, Camille Isis Nobles “Sugarbug” Stearns. His Grandchildren, Ethan Jay Stearns and Elena Lorraine Aerin Stearns. His Sister, Jolene Nobles “Babyduck” Barfield. His Brothers, Joseph Richard “Rick” Nobles, Sr., James Ernest “Jim” Nobles, and Joshua Randall “Randy” Nobles.

Visit reecefuneralhomeinc.com to express tributes.

Donations in memory of J.C. may be made to: SCV Camp of the Unknown Soldier #2218, P.O. Box 1404 Gray, GA 31032; Cannonball House, 856 Mulberry St., Macon, GA 31201; or Old Clinton Historical Society, 154 Randolph St., Gray, GA 31032.

Reece Funeral Home in Jeffersonville, GA has charge of arrangements.