Noah Carol Canady, a beloved member of the Harlan County community, passed away on August 25, 2023 at her campus residence at Auburn University. Noah, age 24, was born on June 1, 1999.

Noah is survived by her adoring mother, Melodie Rose Hatfield; her loving grandmother, Judy Carol Noah (Big Mama); her uncle and aunt, Dondi (whom she affectionately called Unc) and Stacy Noah (Aunt Stacy); her cousins with whom she had a close bond, Emersyn and Trent Noah; her person, Chris Dixon; half-siblings, Travis and Tory Canady; lifelong friends, Kaylea Gross and Katie Bennett Walker; and many other loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her stepfather, Kevin Hatfield; grandfather, Don Noah; great-grandparents, Needham (Pa) and Rosetta (Mama Rose) Saylor and Clyde and Mamie Noah.

Visitation for Noah will be Saturday, September 2, 2023 from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. at Harlan Funeral Home. The funeral will follow at 2 o'clock. Burial will be private.

Family will serve as pallbearers.

As Noah battled diabetes from nine months of age, complications from the disease were too much for her to overcome. Seeing the gravity of the chronic disease and the resulting daily toll on Noah's body, her family directs all who feel led to contribute - in lieu of flowers - to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in hopes of one day finding a cure for juvenile diabetes.

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Noah Carol

June 1, 1999~August 25, 2023

"We are all stories in the end, remembered by the adventures we had, the achievements we made, and the people we love. So make sure your story is a good one."

—Nishan Panwar

Without question, Noah Carol's story is not just a good story but a great story that provides inspiration to all.

Born June 1, 1999, Noah brought immediate and immeasurable joy to her family and loved ones. Her contagious smile, uplifting personality, and passion for life drew all who knew her to adore her; however, there was none who adored her more than her mother, Melodie Hatfield, and her Big Mama, Judy Noah. Both surrounded Noah with unending love and complete devotion as she eagerly embraced all that life had to offer.

Noah's earliest days were spent riding horses and barrel racing. As barrel racing is a rodeo event that is known for quick turns, high speeds, and edge-of-your-seat excitement, it was the perfect pastime for Noah's adventurous nature. Her success in the sport is marked with a banner in the gym of her elementary school, James A. Cawood, as she and her horse, Bosley, won the 3rd Overall Kentucky National Champion title.

James A. Cawood Elementary School (JACES) provided Noah with not only her early education but also lifelong bonds with teachers and classmates as well. The deep bonds she forged with her JACES family were influenced by her love for basketball. She proudly competed as a Trojan, wearing red, white, and Carolina blue on the court. Her pride could not be denied when the team was crowned 5th/6th Grade County Champs in 2010-2011. Noah often reminisced about that first championship title and joyfully shared it as one of the greatest highlights of her competitive career; however, her winning streak was only just beginning as she accumulated a multitude of championship trophies over the course of her basketball career.

During Noah's high school years, her love for the game of basketball continued, and as a Harlan Lady Dragon, she cut down the nets as a 52nd District Champion (2016), 13th Region Champion (2016 & 2017), and 13th Region All "A" Champion (2016 & 2017), and earned 13th Region All "A" Tournament honors in 2017. She also played a pivotal role in the team's success in the All "A" State Tournament. In 2016, Noah and the team were State Semifinalists and, in 2017, earned the All "A" State Runner Up trophy.

Known for her three-point shooting and defensive hustle, her ability to lift up her teammates was another valuable facet of her game.

While she was most comfortable competing on the court, Noah ventured out of her comfort zone and found a musical home as a member of the Harlan Musettes, under the direction of Ms. Marilyn Schraeder. Some of Noah's fondest high school memories include Musette events, where she sang (or sometimes lip synced).

Never one to shy away from a new experience, Noah's zeal for life was evidenced by her adrenaline-induced hobby of skydiving. Her eyes would twinkle as she described the freefall of the jump, and her enthusiasm about the experience could convince almost anyone to seriously consider jumping out of an airplane. Her goal was to become a certified solo diver, and she was actually only twenty-four hours shy of earning that status.

After graduating from Harlan High School in 2019 with an Advanced Academic Diploma, her life story continued to get grander as she entered Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) with multiple scholarships and dreams of becoming a veterinarian. Noah's leadership and people-loving personality were immediately recognized as she was named a Lincoln Ambassador by exclusive invitation from university personnel. In that role, she thrived as her intelligence, charisma, and serial optimism made her the ideal mentor for new students at LMU.

Her impact, though, was felt not just locally on LMU's campus as a student. Her gifts and talents extended into another country when she was selected to study in Costa Rica multiple times. Working under the direction of LMU's Dr. LaRoy Brandt, Noah explored the jungle and conducted research on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. While she was enthralled with the amazing biological system, her passionate spirit for animal care was put into practice when she had the opportunity to provide free treatment to diverse wildlife within the rainforest. Although Noah traveled globally to fuel her love for learning and serving, she and Dr. Brandt had plans to begin a research study on black bears and their impact on Kentucky's mountain ranges during Christmas Break of 2023.

Noah's impassioned connection to animal care continued during the summer of 2021, when she completed a work study program at the Kentucky Equine Research (KER) in Lexington, Kentucky under the leadership of Jolen Guthard. As Noah had loved horses since her childhood, the opportunity to be a KER Research Intern was a dream come true, and she was extremely appreciative to Ms. Guthard for allowing her to experience a working horse farm and learn the ins and outs of Keeneland. The summer of 2022 was also devoted to building her veterinarian skill set. Noah interned at the Harlan Animal Clinic under Dr. Doug Mickey. She was especially grateful to Dr. Mickey and his staff for the opportunity to give back to her own community and learn more about the field of veterinary science. One of her greatest treasures was the stethoscope Dr. Mickey bestowed on her when she concluded her internship.

As an LMU Railsplitter, Noah's exceptional intelligence and drive were showcased on graduation day. She graduated Cum Laude with a bachelor's degree in veterinary science. With her undergraduate degree in hand, her legacy of a passion-driven life was becoming conceptualized as she was accepted into not only the LMU College of Veterinary Medicine but also the most prestigious and competitive veterinary-prep institution in America, Auburn University's College of Veterinary Medicine. In 2022, she became an Auburn Tiger and was embraced and loved by her new college community. Numerous classmates, friends, and professors have shared the positive impact Noah made at Auburn. Her Tiger legacy will never be forgotten as the University will be honoring her in a Student Memorial Ceremony in the spring. Also, a flag is being flown to pay homage to her enduring influence, and it will remain a permanent, symbolic  fixture on campus. Other special gestures of respect and remembrance are also planned.

While she was living in Alabama at the time of her passing, Noah's heart was motivated by serving her hometown. In her purpose statement for her veterinary admission application, the desire to share her gifts with Harlan County clearly shines as her driving force: "[T]hat experience became a defining moment for me as it became crystal clear that the mountains of Appalachia needed me to be successful. I would not let my hometown down. I could be the person to inspire others to achieve big dreams and help those in need."

Noah did inspire others. Before her first birthday, she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. She had no memories of a life without needles and blood sugar readings, but that medical issue did not stifle her passion and zest for life. Instead, it allowed her to be a trailblazer and role model in overcoming obstacles and living life to the fullest. In her short twenty-four years, she dreamed big, she made a lasting mark, and she showed the power of tenacity and talent to be a winning combination.

Noah's friends and family find solace in the moments that did mean so much to her. As a lifelong member of the Wallins Christian Church, she accepted Christ and was baptized on July 15, 2007. That was a key moment in Noah's walk with Christ, and she often shared her faith and helped others grow in theirs. On her social media platforms, her conviction that the world around us is part of a greater plan—God's plan—was evident as she spotlighted her favorite verse: "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" (Psalm 147:3).

Through tears, the family has read over and over the final text messages Noah sent. The last text exchange between Noah and her mom was a reminder to pray. In the Noah Family group chat, Noah's last text was "I can only imagine." Without question, her relationship with God dominated her heart.

During her time at Auburn, Noah attended Auburn Church of Christ at Willow Creek.

While all of Noah's loved ones are brokenhearted, her four-legged best friend, Kannon, misses her, too.  Kannon held a very special place in her heart. She loved teaching him tricks and having him sit shotgun in her truck on long drives. His ribbon for Best of Show is something she proudly displayed in her home.

Just as Noah's heart was huge and full of love for others, everyone loved her. If you knew her, you loved her.

Noah's legacy of character and faith serves as an everlasting testament to anything being possible. Her story is great as she lived each day loving God, loving others, and loving life. In the midst of the pain that comes with the loss of her physical presence, remember her distinctive laugh, her sparkling smile, her kind heart—and her favorite sports figure.

Growing up, Noah was drawn to Tim Tebow. Sure, she admired his athleticism, but his noble characteristics and bold, outspoken Christian faith made him a hero in her eyes. She read all of his books, wore his jersey, and even had a chance to meet him. Students from everywhere were invited to submit an essay that answered the question, "What is a Christian leader?" Noah won the essay contest, and in turn she was an invited guest to an exclusive event, An Evening with Tim Tebow, on May 6, 2014, where Mr. Tebow congratulated Noah on her inspiring submission.

Typical Noah, always wanting to share the love with others, she only received one admission ticket for the event, but she requested an extra one for her cousin, Emersyn (who also admired Mr. Tebow), to go as well. That was a cherished memory for them both.

Recognizing Noah's admiration for Tebow, his words perfectly sum up her life of success and meaning:

Success comes in a lot of ways, but it doesn't come with money, and it doesn't come with fame. It comes from having a meaning in your life, doing what you love, and being passionate about what you do. That's having a life of success. When you have the ability to do what you love, love what you do and have the ability to impact people. … That's having a life of success. That's what having a life of meaning is. ―Tim Tebow

Noah's life will forever have meaning in the hearts of her loved ones. We thank God for His precious gift of Noah.