Jean W. Nowlin of Delray Beach and formerly of Arcadia, Florida passed away on March 16, 2012. Born Callie Euguenia Rickards in Limestone, Florida, August 16, 1919 to Minnie Leigh Rickards and Frank Rickards, Jean graduated from DeSoto County High School in 1936. Jean married T.P. Wyatt of Arcadia, FL in 1937 and moved to Delray Beach in 1939. Jean's husband, T.P. Wyatt, became a well known local photographer and worked with the Delray News Journal, Miami Herald, and various local agencies. In 1949, after the birth of her two children, Jean began the groundwork for what is now Little Friends Learning Center at the First Baptist Church in Delray Beach. Initially established in her home to provide childcare for her own two preschool aged children and for other working parents, Little Friends preschool became Little Friends Kindergarten and moved to First Baptist Church in 1953. Jean stopped teaching in 1958 but continued to attend school plays, events, and serve on the church's education committee. She later went to work for James W. Nowlin Sr. as a legal secretary in the offices of Nowlin and Adams P.A. and retired in 1979. Following the death of her husband T.P. Wyatt, Jean married James W. Nowlin Sr. and led a life enjoying her family, traveling, and time at the family lake house in Lake Placid, FL until his death in 1984. Jean was predeceased by her parents, brother David Rickards, son Thomas Lee Wyatt, and grandchildren Robert Nowlin and Michael Nowlin.
Jean was a long time and faithful member of The First Baptist Church of Delray Beach and was recognized for her over fifty year service as a Sunday school teacher. Jean was also a member of Lakeview Baptist Church in Delray Beach.
Jean is survived by her daughter Judith A. Greene, her son-in-law Russell C. Greene (both of Delray Beach, FL),her daughter- in-law Kathy Ward Wyatt (Glennville, GA), her stepson, James W. Nowlin Jr. and his wife Florence Nowlin (both of Delray Beach, FL), her stepson William D. Nowlin and his wife Mildred Nowlin (both of Tallahassee, FL), her grandchildren, Amy L. Greene, Jonathan Wyatt Greene, Lori Wyatt Cowan (all of Delray Beach, FL) and Thomas Lee Wyatt, Jr. (Glenville, GA), Bonnie Nowlin Davis (Jacksonville, FL), Suzanne Nowlin Vied (Boca Raton, FL), Sandra Nowlin Schooley (Lake Worth, FL), Joanne Nowlin Davis (West Palm Beach, FL), David Nowlin (Delray Beach, FL), John Nowlin (Tallahassee, FL) her great-grandchildren, Britney Cowan, Michelle Cowan, Alex Davis, Samantha Davis, Justin Schooley, Jared Schooley, Kyle Nowlin, Daniel Nowlin, Matthew Nowlin, Aaron Nowlin, Jordan Nowlin, Kate Nowlin, and her nephews Thomas David Rickards (Ft. Meyers, FL), Paul Rickards (Quitman, GA), and Charles Rickards (Sarasota, FL).
Jean was a faithful Christian and a beloved member of the Delray Beach community. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends and all who knew her. Friends may call on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 from 4PM to 6PM at the LORNE & SONS FUNERAL HOME, 745 N.E. 6th Avenue, Delray Beach. A funeral will be held on Thursday, March 22, 2012 at 11AM at LAKEVIEW BAPTIST CHURCH, 2599 N. Swinton Avenue, Delray Beach.