Friends and relatives of Leslie Noble IV remembered the 16-year-old’s big heart, his passions, and even more notably, those big hugs at his funeral services Wednesday.
“He was the only person I know that would hug me and pick me literally off the ground,” said Sherrod Kearney, one of Leslie’s older cousins, from the lectern.
Kearney, like several others, noted that one of the most important things to remember about Leslie was his big heart.
“The love he showed everybody else, that’s how much he loved everything he did” — drawing, painting, singing and recording TikToks of his dance moves — Kearney said at his cousin’s funeral service at Vaughn Greene Funeral Home in Randallstown.
Noble, of Reisterstown, died earlier this month after suffering a medical emergency and collapsing on Franklin High School’s field during a preseason football practice. The 16-year-old was a junior guard on Franklin’s varsity football team.
Noble’s family is still awaiting answers about his death. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has not determined his cause of death. That day, police dispatchers repeated that the initial 911 call said the student had suffered heatstroke. An athletic trainer was at practice that day.
At the start of Wednesday’s services, a montage set to Boyz II Men’s “One Sweet Day” played on the chapel’s projector showing pictures and videos of the 16-year-old dancing, working out, laughing and smiling. Family and friends hugged and cried. Some donned T-shirts bearing Noble’s uniform number — 74.
A procession of his family and other loved ones walked in to say goodbyes to Noble, who was dressed in pink in an open casket. Some close relatives, including his mother, Daonna Tucker, lingered and began weeping as they said their farewells.
Leslie was a “gentle giant” who “loved everybody, his friends, everything,” said Rashad Williams, who playfully described himself as Leslie’s “favorite cousin.” He recalled hearing Leslie talking about how he was excited to go back to school.
“I’m like, ‘Leslie, why do you want to go back to school in the summertime?'” he said.
“His presence just like, filled you with joy,” Williams said.
Shortly before services began, the chapel in Randallstown filled with members of the Franklin community. Students spoke about how caring Leslie was as a friend.
“Everybody needed a person like Leslie in their life,” one classmate said.
He enjoyed staying late after school, helping teachers decorate, make posters or set up class, according to his obituary.
“Leslie was a person who lived a life of passion and purpose,” said Jase Martin, a special educator at Franklin who knew Leslie closely.
Martin said Leslie “had the incredible ability to connect with people, to make you feel seen, heard and to leave you with a smile on your face.” Leslie approached challenges with determination and excitement, and “invited others to be their best selves,” he said.
At Franklin, Leslie served with the Student Government Association and was involved in multiple clubs, said his older sister, Dream Smith. He helped younger boys learn how to tie their ties, he taught her a little about cooking — and “gave me a little bit of rhythm” as far as dancing, she said.
“He was loved — from his dad’s side, to his mom’s side, to his friends,” said Noble’s father, Leslie Noble III.
The family sit in the front rows as a packed audience attend the the funeral for Leslie Noble IV, the Franklin High School player who collapsed during a team practice. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Dream D. Smith speaks about losing her brother who lay in the casket during the the funeral for Leslie Noble IV, the Franklin High School player who collapsed during a team practice. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Some of the teammates of Leslie Noble IV, the Franklin High School player who collapsed during a team practice listen during the funeral. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
A program shows Leslie Noble IV, donning angel's wings during the funeral for the Franklin High School player who collapsed during a team practice. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Daonna J. Tucker gets a hug from Dream D. Smith one of her daughters during the funeral for Dream's brother Leslie Noble, the Franklin High School player who collapsed during a team practice. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Family escort Daonna J. Tucker, center inside during the funeral for her son Leslie Noble IV, the Franklin High School player who collapsed during a team practice. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
A photo of the helmet worn by Leslie Noble IV flashes above mourners who stand in line for the viewing for the Franklin High School player who collapsed during a team practice. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Relatives embrace during the funeral for Leslie Noble IV, the Franklin High School player who collapsed during a team practice. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Mourners walk to the casket for the viewing during the funeral for Leslie Noble IV, the Franklin High School player who collapsed during a team practice. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Family escort Daonna J. Tucker, center inside during the funeral for her son Leslie Noble IV, the Franklin High School player who collapsed during a team practice. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
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The family sit in the front rows as a packed audience attend the the funeral for Leslie Noble IV, the Franklin High School player who collapsed during a team practice. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
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