Earl J. Nowlin

Earl J. Nowlin (Paw Paw), 79, of Salem, went to be with the Lord on Monday, July 19, 2010. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and later retired from Norfolk Southern Railroad. Earl attended Salem Wesleyan Church and was an avid NASCAR fan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Will and Donie Nowlin; 1 son; 2 brothers; and 1 sister. His surviving family includes his wife of 55 years, Leona Cox Nowlin; children, April Boles and husband, David, Kathy Stevenson and husband, David, Mike Nowlin and wife, Tina, and Tricia Bailey and husband, Walt; grandchildren, Alicia Toppins and husband, Keith, Kim Corvin and husband, Matt, Jason Slate and wife, Lori, Brad Stevenson and fiance, Hannah, Austin Nowlin, Ryan Bailey, Katelyn Perkins, and Gavin Bailey; great-grandchildren, Audriana Thomas, Collin Toppins, Chase Corvin, Haleigh Slate, and Madison Slate; and sister, Evelyn Perdue. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 22, 2010 at 11 a.m. in the funeral homes chapel. Burial will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The Rev. Ken Dupin and the Rev. Edward Shepherd will officiate. Online condolences to the family may be made at johnmoakey.com. The Nowlin family is being served by John M. Oakey & Son Funeral and Cremation Service in Salem, 540-389-5441.