Eleanor Elizabeth Nowling

We are here to celebrate the life of Eleanor Elizabeth Sessomes (Character) Nowling aka Nelle. Beloved wife of Bill Nowling for 62 years. She was born on February 13, 1928, in Annapolis, MD to the late Willie Max Sessions and Dorothy Irene (Jacobs) Sessions. She graduated high school from the historic Willey Bates High School in June 1944 in Annapolis, MD.

After graduating high school she worked as a receptionist in the medical office for Dr. Theodore Johnson.

She later became a manager in a branch office of the Annapolis Laundry. While working there she met and married Bill Nowling in December 1958. Bill received orders to Providence, Rhode Island and they lived there for 11 years until he got transferred to San Diego, California in 1969.

Once Eleanor got her four youngest children settled in their new environment, she returned to school, in June 1972.

Eleanor received a Certificate of Proficiency from San Diego evening College in Child Development. She taught at Sullivan school in San Carlos, California.

In August 1983, Eleanor received her Associates in Arts for Child Developmental in preschool teaching at San Diego City College. She also worked for several Neighborhood House head start locations around town. After retiring from teaching, she worked at Petite Sophisticate for many years before enjoying her final retirement.

Eleanor was baptized as a Jehovah ‘Witness. She participated in door to door services spreading Jehovah’s word. As a devoted Jehovah’s witness she always made time for her fellow brothers and sisters when they were in need.

She enjoyed sewing, traveling, shopping, and eating out with family and friends.

She is survived by her husband Bill Nowling, one sister Anna Mae (Sessomes) Colbert, brother in-law James Colbert, sister in-law Velma (Nowling) Hedges, six children- Henri & Reginald Character, Greer (Character) Sumner (Maurice), Keith Nowling (Susan), Douglas Nowling, and Lisa (Nowling) Miller. Twelve grandchildren, twenty-three great-grandchildren, six great great-grandchildren a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. We love you and will miss you dearly. In the words of Nelle “Pretty is as Pretty does.” 

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