Mary Merchant Nowlin, 88, of Lexington, Virginia, died Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at home.

Born August 25, 1922 in Rockbridge County, she was the daughter of the late Coleman Henry Merchant and Margaret Long Merchant.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Alexander Nowlin, Sr.; three sons, James A. Nowlin, Jr., Coleman Nowlin, and Jeffery Nowlin.

Mrs. Nowlin was a member of the congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses (North).

Surviving are five sons, Larry Nowlin of Boise, ID; Randy Nowlin of Manassas, VA; Kenneth Nowlin of Northern, VA; Gregory Nowlin; Anthony Nowlin, both of Lexington, VA; two daughters, Rhonda Blalock of Oxford, NC; Priscilla Baker of Lexington; one brother, Richard Merchant of Lexington; seventeen grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be conducted 2 p.m. Friday, June 3, 2011 at Harrison Funeral Home with Edward Mays officiating.

Arrangements are being handled by Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory, Lexington, VA.