Johnny “J.L.” NolenRossville

Johnny “J.L.” Nolen, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 19, 2025 surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Nolen, son of the late Reverend John Quincy Nolen and Myrtle Macy Jarnagin Nolen, was born February 8, 1930 in Rossville, Georgia. He was in the 1947 graduation class of Rossville High School before serving his country honorably in the U.S. Air Force for four years. After serving in the military, he began a career as a draftsman in the steel industry, then Combustion Engineering, and finally into the nuclear industry where he worked for Combustion Engineering/ABB until he retired. Mr. Nolen was a member of Living Word Fellowship Church. He enjoyed singing at church, many times in church quartets, and also served as a choir director. Mr. Nolen enjoyed listening to gospel music as well as classical symphony. He also enjoyed traveling and taking vacations. Many times, family members would find him researching history and genealogy. Most of all, he looked forward to spending quality time with his children and grandchildren. The family remembers him as a Godly family man, one whom loved his country.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Debra Gay Nolen.
Mr. Nolen is survived by his wife of 69 years, Barbara Jean Smith Nolen; two sons, Jeffrey L. (Mitzie) Nolen and Roger (Melissa) Nolen; two daughters, Christy Kay Nolen and Cathy Nolen Jay; grandchildren, Nolan (Elle) Epperson, Rob Nolen, Lauren Epperson, Rachel Bomar, Reagan Bodie, and Riley Nolen; eight great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; one brother, Billy E. (Chung) Nolen of Selma, TX; numerous other relatives and friends.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to Hearth Hospice for their dedication and support given.

Graveside services will be held at Chattanooga National Cemetery, 1200 Bailey Ave, Chattanooga, Tennessee on Thursday, April 24, 2025, 11 a.m. with Reverend Matt Hall officiating. The family will receive friends at W.L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Home, 555 West Cloud Springs Road, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia prior to the service on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 from 4-6 p.m.

Arrangements by W.L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Home, 555 West Cloud Springs Road, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia.