Our History
Chester Nobles and his son Douglas founded Nobles Funeral Chapel, Inc. in 1983. For 21 years, they served hundreds of families in and around the area before Chester passed away October 7, 2004. Douglas continued to operate the business, and on August 1, 2005, his son Jeffrey joined the operation. Jeffrey then took over the business on January 1, 2023, following Douglas's retirement.
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Jeffrey E. Nobles, Owner/Managing Funeral Director/Pre-Arrangement Counselor
Jeffrey was born in Brenham on June 27, 1978, and grew up in Navasota. He began assisting his family at the funeral home at a young age. After graduating from Navasota High School in 1996, he attended Texas A&M University and received a Bachelors of Science degree in agriculture development in August 2002. Jeffrey then briefly worked for an industrial supply company as an inside sales consultant before making a change in career to the health and life insurance business. On August 1, 2005, Jeffrey joined his father Douglas full-time at the family business and graduated with honors from Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service in Houston in December 2006. Jeffrey enjoys spending time with his wife Natalie and his three daughters, Alexia, Zoe, and Madelyn. Currently, he is serving on the Board of the Navasota I.S.D. Education Foundation. He is also active in the Navasota Evening Lion's Club where he is a Past President, Navasota Lodge #299 & Washington Lodge #18 A.F. & A.M. where he is a Past Master, Past District Deputy Grand Master of Masonic District 29-B, and is Past President of the Navasota Grimes County Chamber of Commerce. Jeffrey formerly served with the Board of the Southeast Texas Funeral Directors Association where he served as a Past President, the Texas Funeral Directors Associations Services Inc. where he served as a Past President, the Grimes County Jaycees, the Board of the Grimes St. Joseph Health Care Council, the Board of the Friends of Grimes County, and the Navasota Volunteer Fire Department. In 2018, he was awarded the Funeral Director of the Year for the State of Texas by the Texas Funeral Directors Association. He and his family are members of the First Baptist Church of Navasota where he serves as a Deacon. His main concern is that he continues the compassionate service his family has offered so many others throughout the years.
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Elvin McCarty, Licensed Funeral Director
Elvin was born in Austin on November 24, 1954. He lived in Austin until 1971 when he enlisted in the United States Army. After serving four years in the military, he went to work for an air-condition engineering firm and moved to Houston in 1990. Elvin continued to design air-condition units until enrolling in Common Wealth Institute of Funeral Services in 2000. After graduating from the mortuary school, he worked for Aldine Funeral Chapel in Houston for five years. Elvin then moved to Navasota and joined the staff at Nobles Funeral Chapel. He loves serving the families of Navasota and being part of the Nobles family.
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Ricky Alderete, Licensed Funeral Director/Prearrangement Counselor
Howdy Navasota, Texas (Grimes County and surrounding area), I’m Ricky Alderete, who is excited to be part of this growing community with an openness to serve you and your family as a funeral director. My career spans over 16-years as a licensed director and crematory operator; but have been serving close to twenty-five years in funeral services. Becoming a family member of Nobles Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services is a blessing as I serve our community and retain my relationships in my home county.
There is no greater commitment I undertake than to serve your family during a difficult time. Serving with professional compassion, empathy, honesty, integrity, and love are the values I bring to your family. These traits were formed many years ago while in seminary and the beginning of my career as a funeral director.
With my career change to Grimes County (Navasota) will be a joyful transition being part of our community. With great anticipation I look forward to joining you and your family in different events throughout the area. My community volunteer experiences include the Citizens Fire Alumni Academy Association with the College Station Fire Department (Immediate Past President), Bryan Police Citizens Police Alumni Academy Association (President), Brazos Leadership 2014, BCS Chamber of Commerce, and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church (Lector / Cantor).
As a graduate from Bryan High School, The College of Santa Fe (Bachelor of Arts) and The University of St. Thomas (Master of Divinity), and Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Services (Honorable Mention) these educational experiences have prepared me to serve you and your family.
Family and friendships are key to any successful person and I’m most grateful to my parents, siblings, and the abundant nephews and nieces we have in the family. Our family continues to grow in small numbers this year. My friendships are important to me and I honor each one as family. -
Yvonne Collins, Office Administrator
Yvonne was born in Lakenheath, England on April 9, 1985, and grew up in Oakland, California and later relocated to Brenham, Texas. She began assisting with various companies as an Administrative Assistant at a young age. After graduating from Brenham High School in 2003, she attended Blinn College and received an Associates of Arts degree in Music with emphasis on vocal performance in August 2007. Yvonne also attended Grand Canyon University and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Christian Studies in December 2015. She briefly worked for Miller-Joseph Mortuary as an office administrator and funeral associate in Bellville, Texas and Allen & Dave Funeral Home in Brenham, Texas as a funeral associate. Yvonne is currently attending Grand Canyon University while pursuing a Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health with emphasis on trauma. On October 19, 2022, Yvonne joined the staff at Nobles Funeral Chapel. She enjoys serving the families within the Grimes County area and providing compassion, resources, and emotional comfort through her warm hugs. Most importantly, Yvonne enjoys spending quality time with her family and especially her son, Kishjon; empowering her friends and others to become their best version of themselves through self-care and self-love.
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Thomas Finke, Funeral Assistant
Thomas was born in Anderson, Texas on June 18, 1936 and graduated from Anderson High School in 1954. He married Lois Noski on November 26, 1955, and they have raised three daughters and now have four grandchildren. Thomas went to work for Mallard Tractor Company in 1955. During that time, he served six years in the United States Army Reserve. In 1976, Thomas and Lois started their own farm equipment business at 404 North LaSalle in Navasota. After twenty-nine years of running the business, they sold the operation in 2005 and retired. Thomas is now working part-time for Nobles Funeral Chapel. His desire is to be a part of the friendly service tradition of the funeral home. Thomas served on the board of the Navasota Grimes County Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Navasota Industrial Foundation, member of American Legion Post #640 in Anderson, and member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Navasota.
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Donald W. Lemon, Funeral Assistant
Don was born in Navasota in 1943 and graduated from Navasota High School in 1961. He received his bachelors and masters degrees from Sam Houston State University and taught in public schools for 10 years. In 1975, Don joined State Farm Insurance Companies as an agent in Humble. He retired back to Navasota in 2003 and began his association with Nobles Funeral Chapel in 2008. Don is a member of Navasota, Planters and Washington Masonic Lodges, and First United Methodist Church of Navasota. Don is a lifelong friend of the Nobles family and enjoys being a part of the professional, compassionate care provided by the Nobles Funeral Chapel staff.
