Gary Lane Nowlin, 68, of Stuart, died on Wednesday, January 8, 2020. He was born in Patrick County on May 28, 1951 to the late W. Travis and Mabel Handy Nowlin.
Gary was a masterful jokester and storyteller, never lacking for colorful commentary. An eager and accomplished chef, Gary loved cooking for his family—often inquiring about supper plans before breakfast was even served. He was also a talented musician who could play any stringed instrument with ease. Gary dedicated more than two decades of his career serving local clients at the Stuart office of Virginia Farm Bureau. He was a voracious reader, world-traveler and avid observer of the nature surrounding the home he loved.
Gary dearly loved his family, and is survived by his first crush, grade-school sweetheart and beloved wife of 46 years, Rebecca Williams Nowlin; son, Terrence Nowlin of Alexandria; daughter and son-in-law, Meredith Nowlin and Reed Griffith of Fairfax; siblings, Donnie Nowlin (Debbie) of Spencer, Jimmy Nowlin (Becky) of Stuart, Joan Tilley of Martinsville and Ricky Nowlin of Stuart; sister-in-law, Beverly Joachim (Richard) of Blue Ridge; brother-in-law, Rodger Williams (Teresa) of Stuart; mother-in-law, Carolyn Williams of Stuart; many nieces and nephews, and his treasured canine companion, Lily. He was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Christian Williams.
He will be greatly missed by many loved ones. A memorial service and celebration of Gary’s life will be held January 18 at Stuart Baptist Church at 11 a.m. Burial will be private. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services on Saturday morning at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gary’s memory to the Blue Ridge Public Library, Friends of the Library, P.O. Box 3967, Martinsville, Va. 24115. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.moodyfuneralservices.com.