Kisiah Nolan's Obituary
Kisiah Waller Nolan, (March 12, 1937 - January 23, 2026) was a native of Greenville, Mississippi, the fifth of eight children born to Reverend Leon Waller, Sr. (deceased) and Mary Green Waller (deceased). Since her graduation from Tougaloo College in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, she attained many of her personal and professional goals. She married Fred T. Nolan on December 27, 1959 and was two days shy of celebrating fifty-eight years with the love of her life. Fred passed away on December 25, 2017. Kisiah, also known as KB to her closest friends, was a mother of three adult children, who enriched her life with two sons-in-law, six grandchildren, two grandsons-in-law, two granddaughters-in-law, and eight great grandchildren. In addition to her family, Kisiah helped to influence, shape, and nurture countless students, co-workers, and friends throughout her life and career.
Her educational and professional preparation included but was not limited to earning a Master of Education in Elementary Education from Mississippi College (Clinton, Mississippi); and an Education Specialist degree in the area of Education Administration and Supervision from Jackson State University (Jackson, Mississippi).
Her reputation as an educator was initiated through her experiences as an elementary teacher for eleven years within the Jackson Public School (JPS)District at Walton, Johnson, and Lester elementary schools. She also provided consultancy at the University of Georgia (Athens) as a team-member of School Service Consultants.
Kisiah's career progressed successfully through the ranks in the following positions: Staff Development In-Service Assistant (1970-1974); Elementary Teacher, 4th and 5' grades (1974-1982); Principal of Pecan Park Elementary School (1982-1998); and Assistant Superintendent of 19 elementary-level schools (1998-2001).
Even following her retirement in 2001, she never stopped making her hands and talents available for service to the community and to the field of education. For two years she provided administrative leadership to Cornerstone National Literacy Initiative (2001-2003), served two plus years as the Discipline Hearing Officer within the JPS District (2003-2006), and for four years (2005-2009) she served as a mentor/teacher/counselor with the Quantum Opportunities Program, which was a Milton Eisenhower Federal Grant through the Medical Mall Foundation for high school students.
In her 'spare' time, Kisiah served on countless boards and committees. To name a few: Board of Directors-Jackson Alumnae Delta Enterprise, Inc. (JADE); Mississippi Opera/Past Member; Jackson Friends of the Zoo/Past Member; Jackson Exchange Club/Parent Child Center/Past Member; and Committees-Superintendent's Executive Cabinet, Calendar Committee, Discipline/Corporal Punishment Committee, and the Superintendent's Advisory Committee, etc.
Her professional affiliations included the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Phi Kappa Phi - National Academic Honor Society, and the Mississippi Association for School Administrators. Moreover, she was an active member of Koinonia Baptist Church and Choir soloist, a Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.-Jackson Alumnae Chapter; Mary Church Terrell Literary Club, and Links, Inc.-Jackson Chapter.
In her later years, Kisiah lived at The Orchard Retirement Community, where she was always the life of the party, with her quick wit and feisty attitude. The nurses and tech staff consistently referred to Kisiah as "their Queen." Her legacy and jovial spirit will be remembered by her family and friends for years to come.
Our Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, in-law, and friend is survived by her Siblings - younger brother Robert Waller (Verna), Stone Mountain, GA; younger sister Mattie Waller Starks, Los Angeles, CA; youngest sister Marie Waller Simmons, Atlanta, GA; Children - Karen Renee Nolan Johnson (Shelby L.), Huntsville, AL, Adrienne Nolan Colar (Gerald D.), Mableton, GA; Fredrick Terrance Nolan, Jackson, MS; Grandchildren - Adrienne Christina Johnson Williams (Antwaun), Birmingham, AL; Leslie Nicole Johnson, Birmingham, AL; Jordan Nolan Johnson (Promise), Huntsville, AL; Jenee Colar Humphrey (Brad, IV), Spring, TX; Justin Dominic Colar (Brittney), Huntsville, AL; Cameron Markell Nolan, Atlanta, GA; Great grandchildren - James Bradford Humphrey, V; Madison Leigh Colar, Joseph Nolan Grier Humphrey, Reina Simone Johnson, Mason Dominic Colar, Jason Emmanuel Humphrey, Preston Alexander Johnson, Caleb Ryan Johnson. She is also still loved by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws, who will miss her presence immensely.
Her very special family and friends include, but are not limited to - Pamela McNair Nolan, Margarett Barnes, Rhonda Richmond, Lorna Thomas, Betty Daniel, Johnnie Esters, and Pastor Richard and Ora Morgan.
Lastly, a very Special family Thank you goes to all of the caregivers at The Orchard Retirement Community, the Rose Garden. You will always have a special place in our hearts.
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