Dr. Nathaniel Abston Jr.

Dr. Nathaniel Abston Jr., a proud Prichard, Alabama native and lifelong Mobile County resident, was born on July 18, 1952 to the late Minnie Lee Moore and Nathaniel Abston Sr., and made his transition to be with the Lord on September 14, 2020.
Dr. Abston - affectionately known as “Dr. Nate” - was a studious child who began his educational journey at George Washington Carver Elementary School and graduated with academic honors from Mattie T. Blount High School in Prichard, Alabama in 1970. He excelled in mathematics and science and dreamed of becoming a doctor to serve others.
After receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree from University of South Alabama (USA) in 1974, Dr. Nate went on to become the first African American to receive his Master of Science degree in Psychology in 1977. This became one of the many “firsts” for Dr. Abston. He was one of three founders of the USA African American Studies program, and he authored and taught “The Black Experience” – the first ever African American studies course at USA. One of Dr. Nathaniel Abston’s most esteemed accomplishments was becoming the first African American to earn his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1984. Dr. Abston was truly a trailblazer in education and paved the way for many minorities who followed in the footsteps of his academic excellence.
In 1984, Dr. Abston launched his career as a Clinical Psychologist at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Biloxi, Mississippi – travelling back and forth from Mobile to Biloxi for eight years. Then in 1992, he began his work and leadership at the Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic in Mobile, Alabama where he served as a Senior Clinical Psychologist until his celebrated retirement in 2016. Additionally, Dr. Nate led a team of psychology colleagues as the first Clinical Coordinator of the Mental Health Clinic from 1992 to 1998. Through over 30 years of service, Dr. Abston impacted the lives of countless veterans and armed forces affiliates and humbly mentored many students and psychology practitioners.
Dr. Abston was a lifelong lecturer, teacher, and college educator. In the Fall of 1978, he became an instructor of Psychology at the University of South Alabama teaching undergraduate courses in General Psychology, the Psychology of Adjustment, and the Psychology of the Black Experience. He later became a part-time Adjunct Instructor in the Psychology Department at USA and continued to teach throughout his life. Dr. Nate inspired his faculty colleagues with his commitment to his students and the novel coursework he developed. Further, Dr. Abston regularly presented workshops and seminars on mental health to several organizations, churches, and schools in the Mobile community. He received numerous awards and recognition for his outstanding work.
Dr. Abston was truly an active psychologist in the Mobile community. In addition to his Veterans Affairs career and USA professor role, he owned and operated a part-time private psychology practice in Mobile for several years during the early 90s. This practice primarily served diverse clients – as he was passionate about the mental health and advancement of people from all walks of life.
Dr. Nate was a founding member of the Theta Delta chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated at the University of South Alabama - creating a valued brotherhood for African American men at USA. He was a faithful and active member of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Mobile, Alabama where he served as a member of the Trustee Board.
In his leisure time, Dr. Abston enjoyed gardening, landscaping, grilling, and hosting friends and family on his acres in Chunchula. He took many early morning deep sea fishing trips and annually travelled to his favorite jazz concerts in the Southeast area with his beloved wife and friends. He cherished spending family time with his children by regularly visiting with them all over the US including New York City, Atlanta, Washington DC, and most recently Charlotte, NC. And he rarely missed a New Orleans Saints football game and looked forward to the professional and college football seasons every year.

Dr. Abston will be forever loved and remembered by the beautiful family memories he shared with his devoted wife of 45 years, Elverna (McCants) Abston of Mobile, AL; children, Jamila (Damany) Abston Mayfield of Charlotte, NC and Khalid (Teaira) Abston of Aldie, VA; precious granddaughter Zuri Abston of Aldie, VA; sisters, Deloris Abston Walker, Nikki Abston Gordon, and Anna Marie Collins of Mobile, AL; brothers, Shaun Abston and Sederick Abston of Mobile, AL; nephews Steve Abston of Mobile, AL and Adrian Walker of Oakland, CA; god sisters Mary Jo Barnes, Margaret Jackson, and Gloria York of Mobile, AL; beloved sister-in-laws Katherine (Van) Mitchell of Saraland, AL and Jewel Khachatoorian of Semmes, AL and brother-in-laws Herman (Marilyn) McCants of Mobile, AL, Mixon (Carolyn) McCants of Mobile, AL and Donald (Janice) McCants of Mobile, AL and a host of loving family members and lifelong friends.