James Cecil Nobles, Sheriff of Long County, Georgia was born on February 21, 1935, in Long County, Georgia the Nobles Family has lived in Long County for many generations. Sheriff Nobles graduated from the Ludowici High School in 1953. He continued his education at Brewton Parker College, receiving an Associates Degree in 1955. He then studied at the Georgia Teachers College in Statesboro where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in 1957. Sheriff Nobles continued his studies and received a Master’s Degree in Education in 1961 from Georgia Southern University.

After Completing his formal education, Sheriff Nobles returned toLong County where from 1959 to 1968 he taught in the Long County Public Schools. He also served as Assistant Principle of Long County Public Schools. During his Career as a school teacher, Sheriff Nobles was known as an educational leader in Long County. He taught one of the first integrated classes in Southeast Georgia.

In the spring of 1968, Cecil Nobles qualified for the position of Sheriff of Long County. The voters of Long County elected Sheriff Nobles, and he took office in January of 1969. At that time, Sheriff Nobles was one of the few Georgia Sheriff’s to hold a college degree, and the first one to have a Master’s Degree.

Sheriff Nobles has a long history of public service to Long County. For almost forty (40) years, he has held an elected office in Long County. Sheriff Nobles has been elected 10 times, and is now serving his thirty-ninth (39th) year as Sheriff. Upon the completion of this current term, Sheriff Nobles will have served Long County for forty (40) years as sheriff.

Prior to his election as Sheriff and while he taught school, Sheriff Nobles served as Coroner of Long County for eight (8) years (two (2) elected terms). Currently Sheriff Nobles is the longest serving Sheriff in the State of Georgia.

Sheriff Nobles is married to Peggy D. Nobles, they recently celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary, and together they have 3 sons, 5 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.  Peggy D. Nobles has worked as Sheriff’s Nobles Secretary since 1971.

On June 8th, 2001 Hwy 301 North, was named "Cecil Nobles Highway", Sheriff Nobles has lived near Hwy 301 North all his life. Sheriff Nobles also serves on the Georgia Department of Corrections.