Yvonne Salter Noble has experienced many changes in her lifetime. With those changes came a better and deeper understanding, Noble said, of not only herself, but the world around her.

Noble finished her teaching career as the Director of what is now called Career Technology in Crenshaw County but her career began many years before that, with one small girl and one small dream.

Noble’s love of learning started in a two room schoolhouse in the Star Hope community near Vidette.

“I went to school there until it closed,” Noble said. “I was in the third grade.”

From there, the school system transferred her to the Crenshaw County Training School in Luverne, during a time when schools were segregated in Alabama.

Noble stayed at this school until she graduated and received her diploma. After that, she attended Miles College in Birmingham.

“I earned my bachelor’s  degree in business education and English,” Noble said. “I graduated in 1960.”

After college, Noble felt it was time to see the big wide world that surrounded Alabama, said her friend Betty Dawson.

“She moved to Ohio and lived with an aunt up there,” Dawson said. “She got a job working with the YMCA.”

But Noble was not quite finished with her education and decided to attend Kent State University. There, she received her certification in elementary education.

“When I got my certification, I came back home,” Noble said. “In 1963, I started working at the  Crenshaw County Training School. I taught there until 1970.”

In that year, Noble went to teach at Dozier High School. 

“I taught accounting, typing, English, and other subjects where I was needed,” Noble said. 

She also served as counselor while at Dozier.

Eventually, Noble became the vocational counselor for the Crenshaw County School System and progressed in her position until she was appointed Principal of the Area Vocational Center.

Besides these positions, Noble worked at the school system’s central office as a Testing Coordinator, Counseling Coordinator, and Drug-Free School Coordinator.

“During this time, she continued her education, too,” Dawson said.

Education was always important to Noble, she added.

“I received my master’s degree in counseling and my certification in supervision from Alabama State University,” Noble said. “I got my administration certification from Auburn University.”

Born to Jessie and Bessie Salter in Luverne, Noble hasn’t strayed too far from her roots, she said.

She is a member of the Star of Hope Missionary Baptist Church and a Worthy Matron with the Allen Lily Chapter #700 Order of the Eastern Star organization. Noble is also a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Beta Xi Omega Chapter.

She is also a member of the Rotary Club, the Crenshaw County Farm Services Committee, and vice president of Crenshaw County Retired Teachers Association.

“I’m also a Board member of Crenshaw County Health Care Authority,” Noble said.

Her friend Dawson said she sometimes wonders how Noble manages all of these activities during her retirement years, but when she sees her friend’s face, she understands Noble’s drive and determination.

“All through her life, Yvonne has been an advocate for children and adults whose lives she has touched during her career,” Dawson said. “She has gained the respect of all who have crossed her path because she respects others.”