Noel C. Conaway

2003 Effingham County Sports Hall of Fame Inductee

He was born November 22, 1936 in Marlow, Georgia. His parents were Wesley M. and Ruth D. Conaway. His nickname was “Sammie” given by his mother.  He has two brothers, Doy E. and Paul W.

Noel played sports most of his childhood and young adult life.  He was on the first tennis team at Marlow High School. He also played basketball, baseball and track. 

After graduating he played baseball with the Ogeechee League. He helped build the first goal post for the lst Effingham County High School Football Team. 

He married on June 2, 1956 to Joann Morgan and they had two children, Glen Noel and Rhonda Elaine.

He served on the Effingham County Board of Commissioners for 12 years with 9 years being as Chairman.  During this time some of his accomplishments were:

-                     Organized and built Oakridge Ball Park (now known as Conaway Field), the only private owned ball park in Effingham County). (See attached)

-                     Acquired Sandhill Helicopter Pad land for Sandhill Recreation Duplex.

-                     Charter member of the1st Effingham County Recreation Board of Commissioner, serving from 1975 until 1980. Chairman all these years.

-                     Coached his son through all of his recreation baseball years (from pee wee’s to pony leagues)

-                     Assisted with 1976 Senior Boys Baseball (District and State Champions)

He was truly dedicated to Effingham County Recreation Youth Leagues before 1975 when the Recreation Department was established and also involved closely with the Recreation Department for years until his death.

Noel died on July 15, 1994 leaving behind his wife for 38 years, his two children and his daughter in law Cathy Sanks Conaway and his 5 grandsons: Zachary Glen Noel Conaway, Grant Wade Anderson, Wesley Morgan Conaway, Colby Samuel Conaway, and Silas Levon Conaway to carry on his legacy.

Oakridge ball park history:

            Adult softball started in Effingham in 1961; teams from south were Bethesda Methodist and Zion Lutheran.  In fall of 1961, Noel and John Conner located a sight owned by Noel’s father, Wesley Conaway.  After a community meeting finance drive began.  We cleared $ 960.00 from selling chances on a Browning Automatic Shotgun.  Cyprus poles were donated by Earl Heidt and cut and pealed by Clayton Dasher and Noel. Cross Arms for the lights were donated by Buddy Newton Telephone Co.  Tubing for the fence donated by Union Camp.  Ed Zittrauer with SEPCO set the light poles with 33 helpers that Saturday. Concession Stand was built by Melvin Newton, and plumbing by Charlie Heidt.  Well were drilled by Bernie Pierce, Jack Cook, and Harry Edwards.  Backstop was build by Bobby Zipperer.  Original Board members Noel Conaway, Roy Nease, Bobby Zipperer, Melvin Newton, Charlie Heidt and Durell Hagin.

We began playing ball at Oakridge Park in spring 1962.  The ball park through community efforts has never spent any money for labor, not has it ever been in debt.