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Elizabeth Maxine (Max) Nolan, 91, of Columbus, GA passed away on Wednesday, October 28, 2020.
Max was born on July 19, 1929 in Colonial Heights, Virginia to Lottie Wilmoth Johnson and Henry E. Johnson. She attended Hopewell High School where she played basketball and was a cheerleader. She is an alumni of John B. Stetson University and Columbus College.
Max and her husband, Bob, moved to Columbus in January 1957 with their four boys, Robert, Danny, Richard, and David, who all graduated from St. Anne’s School and Pacelli High School.
Max began her career at St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School in 1958 as the coach of Pacelli High School’s first girls’ basketball team. In June, 1959, Monsignor Herman Deimel and Sister Aurelia hired her to teach third grade. During her years of teaching, she was named the Outstanding Teacher of the Year by her peers, she became the school’s Athletic Director and helped organize a grade school sports program with five other schools, serving as president of the program for several years. She has been honored on three separate occasions in the “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers”. She was a faithful and dedicated teacher at St. Anne’s School for 34 years, and continued as a substitute for another 12 years. She was the first lay Eucharistic Minister at St. Anne Church and was the first female elected to St. Anne’s Parish Council. She headed the CCD program for a number of years before a permanent director was hired. She was a member of the Rosary Group, co-chaired the Alter Society, volunteered at St. Francis Hospital, was a past president of the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary and the St. Anne’s Council of Catholic Women. On May 20th, 1993, Mrs. Max Nolan received a proclamation from Mayor Frank K. Martin and Mayor Pro Tem A.J McClung of Columbus, Georgia proclaiming May 20th as Max Nolan Day in appreciation for her years of dedicated service in education. In 2001, Max received the Diocese of Savannah Bishop Gartland Service Award, and in 2013 she received the Margot Bradley Service Award.
Max was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years Robert W. Nolan, Sr, a WWII Marine Veteran and her daughter-in-law Kimberly ‘Kim’ Nolan. Survivors include four sons: Robert Nolan, Jr. (Gordana Belsa); Danny (Julia) Nolan; Richard Nolan; David (Sandra) Nolan: six grandchildren, Sasha (Jorge) Padilla; Marie (Andrew) McFarland; Elizabeth (John) Diamante; Lisa Nolan Northington; Christopher (Cassandra) Nolan; Kelly (Patrick) O’Connor: eight great-grandchildren, McKenzie and Madison Northington; Samantha McFarland; Dylan and Abigail Padilla; Denver Nolan; Rory and Finley O’Connor: two step great-grandchildren, Audrey and Connor Gallagher.
A memorial mass will be celebrated at a later date. Family members would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the staff of Kindred Hospice. A special thanks for the special care given by Natisha Mays, and friends Lamont and Katrina Alexander, Tamara Boykin and family, Jamal and Hershawna.
Over the forty-six years of teaching she taught many children and their children, many of whom have expressed how she touched their lives. We love her and will miss her. God Bless.
The Nolan family is being assisted by Georgia Cremation, 7500 Veterans Parkway, Suite A, Columbus, Georgia 31909, 706-577-0055. The family invites you to leave a condolence or share a fond memory below.
Douglas Smart says
A lovely woman with a loving heart. She will be missed.
Cherie Duncan says
She was a wonderful teacher and, a delight to know. My children loved her and still recall Mrs. Nolan encounters good and bad. I know she will be so missed by many. Rest In Peace Max.
Rosemary Weisenberger Mayo says
My sincere condolences to the entire Nolan family. I know you all will surely miss her. What a fabulous life she had. She was a force and very blessed. I am so fortunate to have known her. She was once my teacher also. I couldn’t remember if she taught me 1st or 3rd…but her stunning resume cleared that up for me . She would have taught me 3rd in the very early sixties. My own mother passed when I was 7 and since my dad worked at St. Anne’s; the church and school was a big part of my childhood as was Ms. Nolan. She and many members of the faculty helped my dad
and me after my mother passed.
I’ve always had a fondness for Ms. Nolan. She will be missed but always sweetly remembered ❤ My love to you Julia, Dan, and your daughters/family and grandchildren. Always…Rosemary Weisenberger Mayo.
Natisha Mays says
She was a wonderful sweet lady. You will truly be missed. Rest In Peace my sweet friend.
Lamont and Katrina says
We will miss our long talks and the love you showed us over the years. You were a sweet lady and a blessing to all that knew you. We will forever love and remember you!
Tamara Boykin says
But we remember you now in love, Your life from starts to end, And we’re glad we just know you,And Good Special Friends. I will miss hearing your voice from time to time and I know my kids will miss you as well.❤️💕
Tamara Boykin says
But we remember you now in love, Your life from starts to end, And we’re glad we just know you,And Good Special Friends. I will miss hearing your voice from time to time and I know my kids will miss you as well.❤️💕RIP
Larry French says
My sincerest condolences go out the family of Mrs. Nolan. Mrs. Nolan was my fourth grade teacher at St. Anne’s and even though she was tough on her students, she loved us all. My three sons had the privilege of having Mrs. Nolan as a substitute after she retired from full time teaching. She never failed to ask about them even after they we long gone from the halls of St. Anne’s and Pacelli High School. She will be truly missed by many but her place with Our Lord in Heaven is well deserved.
Larry French
Anne Lester says
My condolences to the family. I will miss Max. She taught my daughters and was a mentor for me. My she Rest In Peace. 🙏🏼💋❤️
Sandy Mullin says
Rest In Peace Max Nolan. You did a wonderful job on this earth and I’m sure are well on your way to your next great adventure in heaven. Love to your loved ones left behind.
Larry and Sandy Mullin
Vikings 62 and 64
Jeffrey Schwing says
My first interaction with Mrs. Nolan was just after I had moved to Columbus, GA from Wisconsin. She was my substitute one day and asked me a question to which I responded “What?” From this day forward, I learned how to say “ma’am” and “sir”. (This is not a common practice in the North.) Mrs. Nolan loved all her students. She will be truly missed.
George Aggott says
I am deeply saddened of learning of Max’s passing. She was a great friend and colleague at St. Anne’s School. My family and I are going to miss her so much. May you rest in peace, Max.
AnneMarie Walker says
Very sad to hear of Ms. Nolan’s passing. A wonderful woman and example of the Catholic faith.
Julie Greco says
Goodbye for now, dear Max. Pray for us left behind on our journey. My children remember you well and with great respect, as you taught most of them in fourth grade at St Anne. Your always were an example of Catholic leadership in all you did. Many condolences to your family, May you Rest In Peace.
Frazier Sherrill says
Mrs. Nolan was my 3rd grade teacher and a great friend to my mother who served on the faculty at St Anne’s with her. She always had a kind word and a smile! When I read her obituary, I am amazed at what a life of service that she lived! The world was a better place with her in it.
Goodbye Mrs Nolan and I hope you and mom run into each other in heaven!