Lenora "Jean" Friess Noland

Lenora "Jean" Friess Noland, 99, affectionately known as "Mimi," of Hopewell, VA, passed away peacefully on November 8, 2026, at Lucy Corr in Chesterfield, VA. with her daughter-in-law, Anna Buffo Noland, by her side.

Jean was born on February 20, 1927, to the late Eynon and Ruth Friess in Wellsville, Ohio. She met the love of her life, Henry Walter Noland, while working at Homer Laughlin China in East Liverpool, Ohio. The couple married, and after welcoming their children-Vickie Lynn, Buddy Lee, and Danny Neal, Henry moved the family to Hopewell, VA, where he worked at Continental Can until his retirement. Jean was preceded in death by her beloved husband Henry in 1993, after forty-seven years of marriage.

A dedicated stay-at-home mom, Jean poured her heart into raising her three children and opening her home to all who visited. She was famous for always setting an extra place at the dinner table for any of her boys' friends who showed up. Her family will forever cherish memories of her legendary home-cooked meals, especially her sausage gravy and biscuits, fried chicken, Thanksgiving dressing, and her mother, Nannie's huge raisin cookies.

Jean loved gardening both vegetables and flowers, reading romance novels, and traveling with her family to Hatteras, NC. Though she was born hearing impaired, technology opened up her world in her later years. She thoroughly enjoyed checking her AOL email account and staying connected on Facebook. Through social media and the posts shared by her grandchildren, "Mimi" gained a loving Facebook following, inspiring many with her joy, adventures, and close family connection.

Above all, "Mimi" treasured spending time with her family, especially her great-grandchildren, whom she loved staying with on Christmas Eve so she could see them wake up on Christmas morning. Her longevity to the age of 99 was a reflection of the profound love and daily visits to Lucy Corr by her family over the last five years.

Jean was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Henry Walter Noland; her daughter, Vickie Noland; her grandson, Christian "Scott" Keener; her parents, Eynon and Ruth Friess; her siblings, Marcelline Friess Patterson, Sonny Friess, and Ronald Friess; and her best friend, Lidia Arpaia Buffo.

She is survived by her devoted sons, Buddy Lee Noland (Anna Buffo Noland), and Danny Neal Noland (Robin Willis); former daughter-in-law, JoAnn Noland; her favorite niece, Deborah Friess Long; and her faithful companion, her dog Pepper. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Giuliana Brink, Natalia Noland, Ryan Noland (Tina), Kristy Keener Rozier (Chris), and Janie Willis; and great-grandchildren, Cameron Brink, Carmella Brink, Anna Maria Brink, Kara Dole, Samantha Dole, and Charlie O'Connell. 

The family extends a heartfelt special thank you to the staff on the Dale Unit at Lucy Corr for the compassionate care provided to "Mimi", as well as to James River Hospice for their daily support and gentle care.

A graveside service will be conducted by Reverend Ed Kross, James River Hospice Chaplain at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 20, 2026, at Merchants Hope Memorial Gardens, 11500 Merchants Hope Rd, Hopewell, VA 23860.