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PARENTS: Nathan Augustus Nolley and Vennie Walters
WIFE: Gertrude Inez Johnson
MARRIAGE: September 26, 1931 in Baird, Callihan Co., TX. They were married almost 57 years at this time of Reginald's death.
SON: Gerald Augustus Nolley
GRANDCHILDREN:
Stephen Ray
Marilyn Estelle
Phillip Mark
Cynthia Lane
Diane Elizabeth
OCCUPATION: Texas and Pacific Railroad - Retired
AFFILLIATIONS: Member of the Bermuda, LA Masonic Lodge.
Born in Bermuda, Louisiana, Reginald Nolley was the son of Nathan Augustus Nolley and Vennie Walters. He wasn't long educated in school, but educated by the world and was a highly intelligent man. Hespend almost his entire life working for the Texas and Pacific Railroad. When he retired, he liked to fix up houses, sell them and build things. He was a perfectionist and made constant comments whensomething wasn't square. Even if it had been that way for many years, he couldn't help but bring it up. Not much for emotional gestures, but still, he loved his family. I remember when Granny had breast cancer and they had to do a mastectomy, you could see the fear in his eyes. That said it all. He spent much of his retirement in an orange recliner in front of the TV. It was only fitting that it was in that recliner he eventually passed away.
Reginald was a Mason. The first I really knew. he wore that ring his whole life. I used to ask him, "what does the G stand for" and he would reply "That's because I'm Good!". He was a proud Mason andthe Masonic service at his funeral was the most touching I've ever seen.
Papa Nolley was a very special and unique man. He seemed gruff and often intimidating. He spoke his mind. I remember when I first met him - there was an instant connecion. I was 18 and didn't have sense enough to be intimidated and he enjoyed getting under my skin. I know he liked to see me fight back. I liked to spend the night with he and Granny. Sometime we would play a domino's game called 42. If papa was my partner, we were sure to win. He had ice cream after ever dinner. Plain Vanilla. And the dogs - they each got a dish of their own.
His was the first death that hit me close to home. I had seen quite a bit over the years, but not so close to my heart. At his funeral the first words out of the minister's mouth were, "We are here to celebrate the life of Reginald Nolley". I've lost many people and been to many funerals since that day. But when someone passes on, my first thought is to Celebrate their life."
