Erskine C. Nobles, Sr.

Erskine Chagrew Nobles, Sr., the son of the late Joe D. Nobles, Sr. and Dollie Yates Nobles, was born in Portsmouth, Virginia on October 30, 1945. He was the fourth of seven children. His brothers, Marvin, Linwood, and Christopher, preceded him in passing. His odd middle name was given to him in honor of Dr. Chagrew a medical doctor who was well respected by his parents. Erskine was educated in the Baltimore City Public Schools and majored in tailoring at Carver Vocational-Technical High School. He later received additional training in handling heavy machinery and forklift operation. In his early years, Erskine enjoyed crabbing, skating, and building scooters with his brothers Joe and Chris and friends in Cherry Hill. He also loved the trips the family would take to New Haven, Connecticut, New York City, and New Bern, North Carolina. He enjoyed earning money. While in New Bern, he and his cousins Edward and Calvin Lovick would search for empty soda bottles to turn in for cash. In Cherry Hill, in addition to collecting bottles, his favorite way to generate revenue was to place a shot glass in the bottom of a large pickle jar and fill the jar with water. Next, he placed a hole in the jar’s top and challenged his friends to try to drop a quarter in the shot glass. If they succeeded, he would give them fifty cents, and if they did not, he kept the quarter—Erskine would win the challenge most of the time. After finishing school, he was employed by Maryland Cup Company where he met Gertrude C. Bell. They were later married in 1968. In his first year of marriage, he was drafted into the United States Army where he had his basic training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and did a tour of duty in Korea. When he finished his service, he became employed at Raleigh Manufacturing Box Company, which was located in South Baltimore. After being together for a number of years, Erskine and Gertrude amicably ended their marriage. It seems that Erskine used his employment as a dating service because on the first day of his employment at Proctor Silex, he met H. Brenda Nobles and it just happened to be her first day of work, too. They were married in 1974 and in the same year they gave their lives to Christ and joined Shiloh Baptist Church. Erskine was baptized by the late Dr. Harold Carter, Sr. They were later divorced but remarried. He left Proctor Silex and was employed by Crown Cork and Seal, then GAF Roofing Company, and later by Mainline Auto Parts. Erskine moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1999 where he worked as a forklift operator for Technicolor Video for six years. When he returned to Baltimore, he resumed work at Mainline Auto Parts. Erskine was a very friendly and caring person who tried to be helpful to family and friends and was loved by many, especially his wife. Most of the time he was quiet; however, when he had something to say, it was wit or wisdom. He spent the last ten years of his life living in an apartment at Abundant Life where he made many friends and enjoyed watching football games and playing cards with other residents in their recreation room. Many of his friends have shared with the family how helpful he was to his neighbors. On Friday, January 13, 2017, Erskine transitioned from this life into eternity. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife Brenda, sons Erskine, Jr., Timothy, Tyrone, and Brandon; granddaughters Ameerah and Riley; grandsons Tyree, Tyson, Bryce, and Dakari; brother Joe (Barbara); sisters Emma Clark (Milton) of Richmond, Virginia and Deborah Nobles-McDaniel (Ervin); three sisters-in-law Martha Nobles, Sarah Nobles, and Deatrice Parks; an uncle, Rudolph Nobles, and an aunt, Doris Sumner; a supportive friend, Rita Chapman; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.

Tributes

Erskine C. Nobles, Sr.

October 30, 1945 - January 12, 2017