Elder G. C. Nolen

On August 23, 1938, Mary Eason and Granville Nolen were blessed with a son G. C. Nolen in Sparkman, Arkansas. He attended Sparkman Training School and later graduated from Lifeline Academy. He united with the Macedonia Baptist Church at an early age. In l965 he received the baptism of the Holy Ghost under the ministry of the late Elder Leo Williams of the Williams Temple Church of God in Christ. On November 13, 1959, he united in holy matrimony to the love of his life Annie Bullock. They were truly an example of a loving and committed couple as they celebrated 55 years of love, devotion and dedication. During his tenure at the Williams Temple Church of God in Christ under the pastoral leadership of Elder Paul Williams, he served as a Sunday school Superintendent, Deacon, Financer and Singer. He later stepped into his call as a clergyman in 1984. His first appointment to pastoral leadership was in 1987 by Bishop D.L. Lindsey to the Locust Bayou Church of God in Christ. Lead by the Holy Ghost in 1991 he organized the New Hope Church of God in Christ with support from Deacon Arthur Williams and the late Missionary Bobbie Williams. He was later appointed the Pastor of the Manchester Church of God in Christ from 1997 to present. He served as a District Official in both the Camden North District and The Arkadelphia Districts. He faithfully served as the District Evangelist and the Assistant District Superintendent under the leadership of the late Superintendent Robert Harbor. He also served as the Assistant Superintendent in the Arkadelphia District under the leadership of Superintendent LeRoy Williams to present. His passion for Christ not only inspired him to serve in the church but he also gave of himself throughout the community and the 2nd Jurisdiction of Arkansas. His leisure time included activities that fostered his family time such as hunting and fishing. He was an avid user of electronic gadgets and was very computer savvy. Those who will be most ardently deprived of the warmth of his pleasing personality and all of his uninhibited love include his wife First Lady Annie Nolen; three sons and two daughters: Clara Daniels of Duncanville, Tx; Thelma Thomas (Terry) of Corsicana, Tx; George Nolen (Vivian) of Arkadelphia, AR; Keith Nolen (Madilynn) of Texarkana, TX; Roderick Nolen (Keema) of Little Rock, AR. Preceding him in death are four sisters, four brothers, and one daughter. Everlean Rucks (sister); Norma Eason (sister); Novella Nolen (sister); Eloise Nolen (sister);L.B. Eason (brother); Jessie Nolen (brother); Sam Nolen (brother); Jimmie Nolen (brother) and Geneva Nolen (daughter). There are nine grandchildren: Princeton Thomas (Tonia); Shamalon Houston; Wynton Daniels (Kiah); Kiante, Ania, Ashlei, Kiara, Kyson Nolen; and Gregory Elliott; and two great grandchildren who will all cherish the memory of Elder Nolen. He will also be greatly missed by two sisters-in-law: Dessie Owens and Fannie Eason. He leaves to cherish his memory a host of nephews, nieces, relatives and many friends. A celebration of his life will be shared at Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 10, 2015. Bishop Frank J. Anderson, Jr., Prelate and Chief Celebrant of the Arkansas Second Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Church Of God In Christ, Inc. Interment will follow at Piney Grove Cemetery. Friends may visit at the funeral home on Thursday, July 9, 2015 from 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. The family will receive friends on Thursday, July 9, 2015 from 6-7 p.m. at Davis Memorial COGIC.