George Harrell Nolen, Sr

Obituary for Newspaper/Website

The community of McKenzie, TN has lost a well-known, highly respected and honored icon, who greeted everyone with his contagious smile, Mr. George Harrell Nolen, Sr.

George was born on December 10,1947 to the late Archie and Erma Nolen in McKenzie, TN. However, due to health issues (Not COVID related), George passed away on December 22, 2020 at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital.

The family will have a Walk through visitation with mask required on Saturday, January 2, 2021, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Brummitt McKenzie Funeral Home. A private family service will follow. Interment with Military honors is at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

George accepted Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior at an early age at Enon Missionary Baptist Church, where he was a dedicated life-long member and served faithfully as a deacon on the deacon board, Sunday School Superintendent, choir member and later accepted his calling as a minister of the Gospel, while serving his country in Kuwait.  He was licensed and ordained under the leadership of Pastor James H. Stewart on June 27, 2010. He never equivocated to let his light shine before men (Matthew 5: 16, KJV).

George graduated from Webb High School in 1965 and pursued continuous learning at Jackson State and McKenzie Vocational School. He often expressed with others, especially the youth, the importance of strong work ethics and hard work by sharing his experiences as a shoeshine boy and newspaper carrier as a little boy. However, later in life he worked at Southern Biological in McKenzie and transitioned to Milan Ammunition Plant in Milan, TN, where he retired.

George was an Army Veteran, who took pride in serving his country and being a veteran, as he counted it a privilege and an honor.  On October 5, 1965, George joined the McKenzie National Guard Army Unit and was the first black man to join the McKenzie unity. He served as the Senior Food Operations Sergeant, where he was known as “Pops”. George went overseas to Kuwait during the Operations Iraqi Freedom Tour in 2004. He also served in TN Veterans of Foreign Wars as the State Employment Chairman, 2006-2007. He was an active member of VFW Post 4939 and American Legion Post 0037. Sergeant First Class Nolen served his country until December 10, 2007 and he never hesitated to advise of the exact time of his service, “42 years, 2 months and 5 days”.

George was also the first black man to join the McKenzie Fire Department where he volunteered his services from 1968 to 2001. He was also a member of Caledonia Lodge #79, as a mason.

George was an active citizen of the McKenzie community, while serving on the Park and Recreation Board, a member of the McKenzie Ministerial Alliance and the Carroll County Ministerial Alliance. He was also a member of VFW Post 4939 and American Legion Post 0037. George was the active President of the Jolly Men Organization, who provided Christmas gifts to women 70 years and older.

Not only was George an active member within in church, for his country and city, but he was also a faithful and dedicated man to his family. He believed that the love of family along with prayer can sustain and overcome any obstacle or life challenges.

George leaves a plethora of family members and friends to cherish his memories, which are as follows; His Wife, the love of his life of 51 years of marriage, Gloria Nolen, McKenzie, TN. Children: Harriet (Jerome) Bonds, Dallas, TX, George Jr (Amy) Nolen, McKenzie, TN. Siblings: John A. Nolen, McKenzie, TN, Mary (Sherman) Dalton, Gary, IN, Linda (Ozie) Henry, Shreveport, LA, Velma Caster, McKenzie, TN, Lina (Aaron) McClerkin, Huntingdon, TN, Tammie Nolen-House, McKenzie, TN; Grandchildren: Damian Carter, Indianapolis, IN, Brooklyn Nolen, McKenzie, TN and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.