Elizabeth Jean Weast Nolley

Elizabeth Jean Nolley passed away on November 1, 2023 at Carolina Caring, Newton, NC, at the age of 91. Jean was born on August 21, 1932 in Bostic, NC to her parents Frank Chalmers and Annie Pauline Weast. After graduating from Mt Ulla High School, she attended Appalachian State Teacher’s College and graduated with her BA in Elementary Education in 1954. After her children started school, she received her BA in Library Science from Appalachian State University.

Jean was employed by Catawba County Schools as a Media Specialist at Bandys High School. She retired in 1988 when her husband Ed retired so they could begin traveling. They participated in Home Exchange Programs where they exchanged their home on Lake Norman with families from Ireland, Scotland, Norway and Switzerland. They remained friends with these families over the years.

Jean is survived by her daughter Suzanne Rhinehart and husband Ray of Newton, NC; daughter Gail Nolley Teem and husband Michael of Callawassie Island, SC and son, Frank Nolley and wife Beth of Startown, NC. She is survived by six grandchildren, Rachel Teem Gentry, husband Jonathan; Laura Rhinehart Sparks, husband Jason; Ryne Teem and wife Anna; Taylor Rhinehart and wife LeAnna; Mason Nolley and Payton Nolley. Jean had seven great-grandchildren, Lily Sparks, James Gentry, Savannah Gentry, Caden Teem, Hudson Teem, Parker Rhinehart and Charles Edwin Rhinehart. She also had a special bond with Sian and Lucy Colman-Black,who were like granddaughters to her, from Ireland. She is survived by her twin brother Bob Weast of Mt Ulla and sister, Lois Salter of Mooresville. Jean cherished many nephews and nieces and her friends at Abernethy Laurels and Lake Norman.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years Ed Nolley, her parents Frank and Pauline Weast, sister Frances McKinney and brother Albert Weast.

Jean was an active member of First Presbyterian Church-Newton where she served as Sunday School Teacher, Presbyterian Women’s Circle 1 and Elder. She and Ed enjoyed many church mission trips to Mexico, Nicagura and many disaster relief trips with Habitat for Humanity . They delivered Meals on Wheels in Sherrills Ford area for over 30 years. Jean and Ed were honored to participate in a special mission trip with Habitat of Humanity to Hungary with Jimmy and Rosalind Carter. She was a long time member of the Lake Norman Garden Club and spent at least twice a week at Sherrills Ford Library Garden keeping the fountain serviced and plants watered. Jean was a supporter of the Christian Friends of Korea, Backpack Program, ECCCM, Habitat for Humanity and Sweetwater Head Start program.

Jean will be remembered for her love of family, God, service to her community and reading. She was also an avid Walker loving to make her daily rounds in Abernethy Laurels. At age 75, she hiked to the top of Mt. LeConte. She loved traveling with Ed to Clemson football games and loved wearing purple and orange.

Celebration of life will be held Sunday, November 5, 2023 at 2pm at First Presbyterian Church-Newton – 701 N Main Ave Newton NC 28658 with Reverend David Roquemore officiating. A Gathering of friends will follow at 3pm in the fellowship hall.

A private inurnment will be held at a later date.

The family asks that gifts may be made to NC Agricultural Foundation in support of the Edwin F. and Jean Nolley 4-H Program Endowment for Catawba County at Campus Box 7645, NC State, Raleigh NC 27695 or at go.ncsu.edu/nolley This endowment supports 4-H youth & adult leadership activities and youth agriculture educational programs in Catawba County.

Other gifts may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Newton, Christian Friends of Korea, Habitat for Humanity of Catawba County, Eastern Catawba County Cooperative Christian Ministries and Carolina Caring in Newton.

Condolences may be left at www.willis-reynoldsfuneralhome.com

The Nolley Family is under the care of Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home