On this 19th day of December 2022, we the family and friends of Frank Albert NOEL gather with gratitude to thank God for and to celebrate his life. We were blessed to have had him with us for 93 years, until he departed this earthly plane at 9:57 p.m. on November 27, 2022. Frank was the son of Albert Theodore Noel (d) and Evelyn Dorothy Carrington-Noel (d); eldest brother of Nellie Roberts (d), Ronald Noel, Marlene Allicock and Cyril Noel (d); husband of Esmée Eileen Alison Benfield-Noel (d); father of Faye Braz, Roger, Cheryl and Courtney Noel, and Raymonda Derrell; grandfather of Randy and Deidra Braz, Blake, Mia, Ebonée, Zina, Angelika, Brandon and Aleyana Noel, and Harrison and Joshua Derrell; great-grandfather of Esmée, Nami, Zinedine, Iniko and Hanifa Noel, and Jaden Braz; Uncle Frank to countless others, and a loyal friend. Frank was married to his childhood sweetheart, Esmée, for 61 years before she passed on December 14, 2016. “Pix” was his true champion and partner for life and an extraordinary mother to his children and many others. To his three youngest siblings, Brother Frank was a father-figure. He was only 16 years old when his father lost his sight, yet he never wavered in his academic pursuits and career ambitions. Frank was a gentle, encouraging, funny, fun-loving, occasionally firm father to his five children. Truth is, he spoilt us rotten. He was a dedicated civil servant in service of his beloved Guyana, and turned down countless offers to work with multinational companies in the halcyon days. Frank was a role-model to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of whom share his passion for higher education. His one determination was to leave them a “clean name!” He did his very best to do so. Frank’s love of God became more evident in his senior years and is reflected in his poem, “ I Just Want to Say Thank You” and his love of the gospel song “Every Praise is To Our God,” which he sang to the end of his days. We thank God for this amazing human being: son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, cousin, friend, a lover of God! We shall miss his hearty laughter and witticisms. Go well, Patriarch. God is EVERYWHERE. Welcome
DRUMMING AND ENTRANCE OF FAMILY WELCOME PRAYER INSPIRED BY YOU ... The Grandchildren Speak OH BEAUTIFUL GUYANA AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE & JOY I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU by Frank Noel HONOUR THY FATHER ARROWHEAD (excerpts) THE WAY WE WERE ONE THOUSAND BREAKFASTS MY NATIVE LAND THE MEASURE OF A MAN MY WAY AIN’T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH DINNER “Every Praise is To Our God” All Rose October Karen Allicock-Clarke Randy, Diedra & Jaden Braz; Blake, Mia, Ebonée, Zina, Angelika, Esmée, Brandon & Aleyana Noel; and Harrison & Joshua Derrell All Raymonda Derrell Harrison Derrell Courtney Noel All Cheryl Noel Roger Noel All Faye Noel Braz Ebonée Noel All
SONGS Celebrating the Life of Frank Albert Noel Oh beautiful Guyana, Oh my lovely native land More dear to me than all the world Thy sea-washed, sun-kissed strand Or down upon the borders looking out upon the deep The great Atlantic blown into a fury, or asleep. At morn, at noon – or better In the crimson sunset’s glow I love thee, Oh I love thee. OH BEAUTIFUL GUYANA Oh I care not that others rave over fair lands afar, Where silvern lakes and placid streams mirror the evening star; I care not though their wealth be great, their scenery be grand, For none so fair as can compare with my own native land. Their sylvan vales and rippling brooks may charm me when I roam, But what of that? No brooks and vales can steal my love of home; Where I in childhood used to play, and where the old folks rest Must be to me, where’re I be, the dearest and the best. And though I rove o’er hill and dale and brave old Neptune’s foam, O’er crags and rocks and mossy dells, I still will turn me home; For when at length I come to die, I want no gilded tomb, Just let me rest within thy breast, where thy sweet flowers bloom, Where thy sweet flowers bloom. MY NATIVE LAND LEGUAN, Essequibo, GUYANA
Listen baby, ain’t no mountain high, Ain’t no valley low, ain’t no river wide enough baby If you need me call me no matter where you are, No matter how far; don’t worry baby Just call my name; I’ll be there in a hurry You don’t have to worry ... Oh baby there ain’t no mountain high enough, Ain’t no valley low enough, Ain’t no river wide enough To keep me from getting to you babe Remember the day I set you free I told you you could always count on me darling From that day on, I made a vow, I’ll be there when you want me, Some way, some how Oh baby there ain’t no mountain high enough, Ain’t no valley low enough, Ain’t no river wide enough To keep me from getting to you babe Oh no darling No wind, no rain Or winters cold can stop me baby, na na baby ‘Cause you are my goal If you’re ever in trouble; I’ll be there on the double Just send for me, oh baby, ha My love is alive Way down in my heart Although we are miles apart If you ever need a helping hand, I’ll be there on the double Just as fast as I can Don’t you know that there Ain’t no mountain high enough, Ain’t no valley low enough, Ain’t no river wide enough To keep me from getting to you babe Don’tcha know that there Ain’t no mountain high enough, Ain’t no valley low enough, Ain’t no river wide enough; Ain’t mountain high enough Ain’t no valley low enough! AIN’T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH