Barbara Jean Nolen

KERNERSVILLE- Barbara Jean Nolen, age 90, died Sunday, February 26, 2023, after a brief hospital stay.

   Mrs. Nolen was born on January 8, 1933, in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.  She was the daughter of the late Broward and Willie Ophelia Kemp Gatlin and wife of the late Jack K. Nolen.   She was also preceded in death by her sister, Angelyn Whiddon and husband Gene and niece, Tari Whiddon.

   Surviving Mrs. Nolen are her daughters, Barbara “Bobbi” Hollar and husband,  David, of Piedmont, SC;  Kerry Nolen of Weaverville; Jackie Szaro and husband Stephen Dew, of Kernersville, NC; grandchildren, David Lee Hollar, Brent Michael Hollar, Heather Marie Szaro, and Conner Ryan Szaro; nephews Gene Whiddon and Scott Whiddon of Ft. Lauderdale Florida and their families; also, her grandchildren by marriage, Sarah Dew, Allison Dew, Rebecca Dew, and Jonathan Dew.   And her only great grandchild by marriage, Chatham Rain Oliver.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Friday, March 10, 2023 at Clark’s Chapel United Methodist Church.  A graveside service will follow at Clark’s Chapel Cemetery.

If participants wish to send flowers, it is suggested that Gudger’s Flowers at 828-252-7337, 1065 Haywood Rd., Asheville, NC, 28806 be contacted.    Mrs. Nolen’s favorite flowers were yellow roses and Calla lilies.   Anything with bright Spring flowers would be fine. 

If there are any questions, please feel free to contact her daughter, Kerry Nolen, at 828-645-9092.

Mrs. Nolen was first and foremost, a mother of her three children Bobbi, Kerry, and Jackie.    After she married, she was a homemaker and participated in her girls’ lives through Girl Scouts, being a home room mother, and making sure we practiced our piano.   When her grandchildren arrived, she loved them without question and each one was a treasure to her.

However, her first love was her husband, Jack, whom she called “Red”.   They had a true love story, even with the usual “fusses”.   They are finally united in Heaven.    We send God our best wishes!

For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Mrs. Nolen’s obituary at www.westfamilyfuneralservices.com.