Franklin- Wilbur Lee Nowell, 96, passed away December 22, 2015. Mr. Nowell was a native of Weldon, NC and was retired print shop supervisor of the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. He was a member of Hunterdale Baptist Church. He was predeceased by his parents, Ransom Green Nowell and Ora Monroe Nowell, his first wife, Florence Vivian Harrell Nowell and his second wife, Melba Harrell Drake Nowell, a son, Wilbur L. Nowell, Jr, three sisters, Mabel Daniel, Hazel Page and Mary Lee and five brothers, Herbert, Ralph, James, George and Robert Nowell.

Left to cherish his memory is a daughter, Joan Frances Grizzard and husband Charles of Tampa, FL, one son, Raymond Ray Nowell of Kissimmee, FL, fourteen grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and thirteen great great grandchildren.

A funeral will be conducted at 12 noon Monday, December 28, 2015 at Wright Funeral Home with the Rev. Howard L. Vinson, Jr. officiating. The burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Suffolk. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service and suggests that in lieu of flowers memorial donations be made to Hunterdale Baptist Church. www.wrightfuneralhome.org