Background
Noonkester, James Ralph was born on June 10, 1924 in Flatridge, Virginia, United States. Son of Reggie L. and Arcie (Parks) Noonkester.
Noonkester, James Ralph was born on June 10, 1924 in Flatridge, Virginia, United States. Son of Reggie L. and Arcie (Parks) Noonkester.
Bachelor, University Richmond, 1944. Doctor of Laws, University Richmond, 1968. Master of Theology, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1947.
Doctor of Philosophy, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1949. Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Blue Mountain College, 1982. Postgraduate, Harvard University, 1980.
Minister education, 1st Baptist Church, Charlottesville, Virginia, 1950-1952;
professor, head division religion and philosophy, William Carey College, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, 1952-1953;
academic dean, William Carey College, 1953-1956;
president, William Carey College, 1956-1989;
president emeritus, William Carey College, since 1989. President Mississippi Foundation Indiana Colls. Member Education commission Southern Baptist Convention, chairman, 1983.
Board directors Mississippi School Bds. Association Workers Compensation Trust,1993-1995, chairman, 1994.
Chairman board directors American Cancer Society, Mississippi division, 1966. Campaign chairman United Givers Fund, 1975-1976, president 1976-1977. Council chairman Boy Scouts American, director Planned Giving Pine Burr area Boy Scouts American, 1990-1993.
Trustee Hattiesburg Public Schools, 1990-1995, president board trustees, 1992-1995. Member National Education Association, Mississippi Education Association, Hattiesburg Concert Association (board director), Southern Association Baptist Colleges and Schools (president), Mississippi Association Colleges (president), Hattiesburg Chamber of Commerce (president 1966), Kiwanis, Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Delta Kappa, Chi Beta Phi, Omicron Delta Kappa.
Married Naomi Hopkins, June 10, 1947. Children: Myron Craig, Lila.