Nathaniel Lee Abernathy

Sunrise for the life of Nathaniel (Nate) Lee Abernathy began on September 13, 1956, being the second of four children born to Clifford Dee Abernathy, Sr. and Joan Elizabeth Norris Abernathy. Sunset took place on January 3, 2026. His parents, older brother Clifford D. Abernathy, Jr. and grandparents preceded him in death.

Nate was raised in the East Nashville area, graduating from Stratford High School Class of 1974. He attended Tennessee State University for several years. Nate began working at an early age beginning at H. G. Hills Grocery Store. He also worked for Metro Public Schools delivering textbooks to various schools. In later years he began working for Third National Bank, which later became Suntrust Bank, until his retirement after nearly 40 years.

Nathaniel accepted Christ as his personal Savior at Pilgrim Emanuel Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Michael Lee Graves, becoming a member of the Legato Chorus. He became a charter member of The Temple Church. Nate was gifted and known for beating the tambourine during worship with a passion and expertise that amazed many. He remained a member of Temple Church, now under the profound leadership of Pastor Darrell Drumright until his transition.

In his early years, he joined the B. M. & E. Conventional Choir, where he sang, beating the tambourine, for many years along with over one hundred other youth in various communities throughout Nashville and surrounding cities, as well as, other states. To this day, the B. M. & E. Choir former members have a bond in the Lord that will never be broken.

Nate loved his family, and his family truly loved him. He is affectionately known as Uncle Bubba by his nieces and nephews. He adored them, and they adored their Uncle Bubba. Nate loved hosting or attending card parties and traveling.

He leaves to cherish his memory two loving and devoted sisters, Theresa Abernathy (Elbert) Gordon and Marjorie Abernathy; Two very close and devoted nieces, Keyana Hambrick and LaShauna Monyette Hambrick; Other nieces and nephews include JNae Kai, Marquis (Toni Colina), Tyler and Tiffany Abernathy, Victoria, Autumn, and Justin Burton, Shemika, Marcus and Stephanie Gordon; Horace (Stephanie) Jones; Devoted great-nieces, Teyana, Kristiana and Ariana Banks, TeKia Morrow, Imani Thomas, Tori and Maryiah Abernathy, along with many other great-great nieces and nephews. Sister-in-Law, Kimberly Abernathy; Uncle William (Kiara) Hazelitt; Aunts, Barbara Norris and Hannah Conley and many loving cousins. Special family friends include Donna & Clarence Esmond, the Coleman Family, Celeste Abernathy, Timothy Sharpe and Edward Jenkins. There are too many to mention all who knew and loved Nate Abernathy.

Special love and gratitude is extended to his niece LaShauna Hambrick, who took on the responsibility of becoming his Power-of-Attorney and caring for him and all of his daily needs for several years. We also extend our love and appreciation to his loving and dedicated "niece" Michelle Maultsby Springer who took time away from her family to take Nate to his doctors appointments, and made sure he had what he needed. Thank you so much!

WE LOVE YOU!