Rodney Nolen Obituary Rodney Lee Nolen, Sr. May 13, 1935 - August 5, 2013 Drewryville - Master Chief Rodney Lee Nolen (Ret. USN) was born May 13, 1935 in Nashville, TN to Herman and Clella Mae Wallace Nolen. Mr. Nolen passed away peacefully on August 5, 2013 at his home in Drewryville. Mr. Nolen served in the United States Navy for 23 years before retiring in 1974. During his distinguished career in the Navy, he became the youngest enlisted man to achieve the rank of chief, and served on many aircraft carriers visiting ports throughout the world, the last being the USS Hawkins. After retiring from the Navy, he continued to serve his country by working civil service with the CINCLANTFLT compound at the Naval Station in Norfolk where he retired with 43 years total federal service. Mr. Nolen was an avid fisherman, hunter, and golfer. He also loved to drive through the back roads of the Virginia countryside enjoying a cold libation on occasion. Mr. Nolen is preceded in death by his mother, father, and stepfather, William Henry "Nape" Napier; his brothers, Gary and Clarence "Dinky" and his sister, Mary Patricia "Pat." He is survived by his wife, Mary Cooper Nolen; children, Melanie Anne Harris (Glenn), Melinda Lea Nolen, Debra Denise Mackendree (Phillip), Kenneth Randall Nolen, Scott Nolen (Cindy), Rodney Lee Nolen, Jr. (Lorraine) and stepdaughter, Julie Bufogle (Fred). Mr. Nolen was a proud grandparent to 16 Grandchildren, and 7 Great-Grandchildren. A celebration of life service with Naval Honors will be held at 7 PM Saturday in the Chapel of Wright Funeral Home, 206 West 4th Avenue, Franklin, VA with the Rev. Tom Spizzirri officiating. Burial will be private at Hampton VA National Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service (6 PM) and suggests in lieu of flowers donations be made to the American Heart Association, National Center, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231, Tel: (800) 242-8721, Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation, 5151 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 420, Washington, DC 20016, Tel: (202) 298-9211, or Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. www.wrightfuneralhome.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See also: 1) https://www.wrightfuneralhome.org/obituary/2188782 2) https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/pilotonline/name/rodney-nolen-obituary?id16374253 3) https://www.pilotonline.com/obituaries/rodney-l-nolen-drewryville-va/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ## Narrative Summary of the Obituary Master Chief Rodney Lee Nolen, Sr. passed away peacefully on 5 August 2013. He served 23 years in the U.S. Navy, became the youngest chief, and later worked in civil service. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. ## Narrative Summary of Funeral Services A celebration of life service was held on 5 August 2013 at Wright Funeral Home in Franklin, VA. Burial was private at Hampton VA National Cemetery. ## The Edited Obituary Rodney Lee Nolen, Sr. 13 May 1935 - 5 August 2013 Drewryville - Master Chief Rodney Lee Nolen (Ret. USN) was born 13 May 1935 in Nashville, TN, to Herman and Clella Mae Wallace Nolen. Mr. Nolen passed away peacefully on 5 August 2013 at his home in Drewryville. Mr. Nolen served in the United States Navy for 23 years before retiring in 1974. During his distinguished career in the Navy, he became the youngest enlisted man to achieve the rank of chief and served on many aircraft carriers, visiting ports throughout the world, the last being the USS Hawkins. After retiring from the Navy, he continued to serve his country by working civil service with the CINCLANTFLT compound at the Naval Station in Norfolk, where he retired with 43 years total federal service. Mr. Nolen was an avid fisherman, hunter, and golfer. He also loved to drive through the back roads of the Virginia countryside, enjoying a cold libation on occasion. Mr. Nolen is preceded in death by his mother, father, and stepfather, William Henry "Nape" Napier; his brothers, Gary and Clarence "Dinky"; and his sister, Mary Patricia "Pat." He is survived by his wife, Mary Cooper Nolen; children, Melanie Anne Harris (Glenn), Melinda Lea Nolen, Debra Denise Mackendree (Phillip), Kenneth Randall Nolen, Scott Nolen (Cindy), Rodney Lee Nolen, Jr. (Lorraine), and stepdaughter, Julie Bufogle (Fred). Mr. Nolen was a proud grandparent to 16 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. A celebration of life service with Naval Honors will be held at 7 PM Saturday in the Chapel of Wright Funeral Home, 206 West 4th Avenue, Franklin, VA, with the Rev. Tom Spizzirri officiating. Burial will be private at Hampton VA National Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service (6 PM) and suggests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the American Heart Association, National Center, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231, Tel: (800) 242-8721, Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation, 5151 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 420, Washington, DC 20016, Tel: (202) 298-9211, or Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. www.wrightfuneralhome.org ### Vital Statistics Summary | Name | Rodney Lee Nolen, Sr. | |---------|--------------------------------| | Age | 78 years | | Birth | 13 May 1935; Nashville, TN | | Death | 5 August 2013; Drewryville, VA | ### Table of Relationships | Name | Relationship | Residence | |---------------------------|------------------------|-----------------| | Rodney Lee Nolen, Sr. | Decedent | Drewryville, VA | | Mary Cooper Nolen | Spouse | Unknown | | Herman Nolen | Parent | Unknown | | Clella Mae Wallace Nolen | Parent | Unknown | | Melanie Anne Harris | Child | Unknown | | Melinda Lea Nolen | Child | Unknown | | Debra Denise Mackendree | Child | Unknown | | Kenneth Randall Nolen | Child | Unknown | | Scott Nolen | Child | Unknown | | Rodney Lee Nolen, Jr. | Child | Unknown | | Julie Bufogle | Stepdaughter | Unknown | | Gary Nolen | Sibling | Unknown | | Clarence Dinky Nolen | Sibling | Unknown | | Mary Patricia Pat Nolen | Sibling | Unknown | | William Henry Nape Napier | Predeceased Stepfather | --- | ### Other Relevant Information 1. Master Chief Rodney Lee Nolen served in the United States Navy for 23 years before retiring in 1974. 2. He became the youngest enlisted man to achieve the rank of chief during his distinguished Navy career. 3. Mr. Nolen served on many aircraft carriers, with the last being the USS Hawkins. 4. After retiring from the Navy, he worked in civil service with the CINCLANTFLT compound at the Naval Station in Norfolk, retiring with a total of 43 years of federal service. 5. Mr. Nolen was an avid fisherman, hunter, and golfer. 6. He enjoyed driving through the back roads of the Virginia countryside.