Roger Nowlin Yancey, 79

September 9, 1944 – December 19, 2023

Roger Nowlin Yancey, age 79, passed away peacefully om December 19, 2023, surrounded by his family and friends, at home in Ripley.  A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.  Known to his many friends and family as “Nowlin”, Roger was born on September 9, 1944, to the late Roger Epps “Buck” Yancey and Annie Ree Roten Yancey.  He graduated from South Tippah High School in 1962 and then attended North Mississippi Junior College.  Roger served a stint in the Army National Guard.  He then became a Pharmacy Tech at the Methodist Hospital in Memphis until he was stricken with Marie-Strumpell Ankylosing Spondylitis, and he became disabled as a very young man.

Roger possessed a brilliant mind and the love and talent for music and photography which sustained him throughout his entire life.  He read everything he could get his hands on and collected books and recordings of all types.  He was a fantastic finger-style guitarist and played in the gospel group, “The Three Old Men” for several years.

Later in life, Roger met Dr. Dwalia South and the two fell in love and were married on October 2, 2011, by Bro. Edd McCafferty.

Roger was a quiet, sweet spirit who never complained about the pain he endured throughout his life.  He also possessed a wicked wit and wonderful gift for dry humor enjoyed by all that knew him.  He had many pet sayings which his family termed “Nowlinisms.”

In addition to his wife, Dwalia, those left to cherish his memory include two stepsons Jack Williams (Kimmie), Jesse Williams (Hope), two sisters, Merle Norton and Lynn Bennett of Ripley.  He had six grandchildren, Molly, Jeb, Quaid, Jacie, Avery Scott, and Slade Williams, all of Ripley.  They all knew him as “Poppa Roggie.”

His nieces and nephews include Martha Grisham (Ronnie) of Ripley, Mary Jenkins (Bruce) of Etta, Brenda Wilkerson of Ripley, Mary Elizabeth Yarbrough (Scott) of Nashville, Mike Norton, and Ben Bennett both of Ripley.

He also loved all his great nieces and nephews: April Hobson (Jon), of Ripley, Brent Grisham and Miranda Garrison (Levi) all of Ripley, Katie Jenkins McDaniel (Chase) of Oxford, and Elizabeth and Rebecca Yarbrough of Washington State.  Roger enjoyed a special life-long friendship with Tommy Covington of Ripley.

In addition to his parents, Roger was preceded in death by his “Big Sis” Eloise Eaton (Doyle).  For the last several years he had a special caregiver, Lois Roberson of Ripley, and also more recent caregivers, Lisa Sanderson Carr, Theresia Teran and all the Ripley Legacy Hospice nurses and staff.

Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.