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P.A. Nesbitt Obituary
In fact, his life was laced with small miracles, achieved through endless effort, a little bit of luck and, Bishop Nesbitt believed, a sprinkle of divine intervention.
The boy with a big smile, a knack for music and a boundless faith grew up to host a gospel television show that aired for nine seasons in Palm Beach County. Along the way, he also befriended county commissioners, helping blacks in Jupiter gain social and political traction.
And when he died Saturday at age 78 after battling Parkinson's disease for years, his greatest legacy still stood. One that began by tearing something down.
In the early 1970s, he and the four members of Jupiter's Church of God used a torch to burn their place of prayer to the ground, opting to save money on demolition. With just $34 in the treasury, they used discarded supplies from all over the county to help rebuild it into a sprawling building.
"Those that say God is dead, let 'em come out here. He's very much alive," he said then.
That building was later torn down and rebuilt on Limestone Creek Road in Jupiter, where it helped revitalize the black community.
"The church didn't just focus on the African-American community. He reached out to everyone. He was a magnet to people, and he loved them," said one of his sons, Quentin Nesbitt.
He also loved music. He was hired as a Sunday school musician, and later became a choir director and a founding director and business manager of the Golden Jubilee Singers of West Palm Beach, family members said.
He taught all of his children to play various instruments, and he sponsored and emceed choir concerts throughout the county.
He became The Church of God youth and Christian education director for Florida, and then pastor of the Jupiter Church of God in 1969, Cardinal said. In 1984, he was transferred to Lake Worth Church of God.
The old house on Rosemary where Bishop Nesbitt spent his earliest and last days still stands. A few of his children now live there.
"Roots were important to my father," Quentin said. "It's one of the many, many things he taught us."
Memories and Condolences
for P.A. Nesbitt
18 Entries
Wanda Jones-Bucknor
December 28, 2006
Into each life some rain must fall. It may be raining in your life right now but just know that behind every dark cloud there is a silver lining. Today is 12-27-06 and I am just now finding about your lost. Just know that this man and family hold a special place in my heart. I will always cherish the good times we shared. To all the Family of PA Nesbitt you are loved by the Jefferson/Jones Bucknor Family.
April Nicole Jefferson-Moore
December 27, 2006
To my god-mother and god brothers and sisters. I know that this is a hard time for you all and it has come as a shock to me, I wish I had known what I know now. I thank God for all that Goddaddy taught me and I will cherish it forever. Just know that God is with you and that you all are always in my prayers. I miss you guys and I love you guys for ever. His little black baby girl.
Antionette E. Nesbitt
November 6, 2006
To my family i know its still hard but we have to stay strong because daddy was never a weak person and that strentgh i believe he put in all of us from day one. Its soon to be 5 months that he's been gone so with his 79th and Christmas (his favorite holiday) arround the corner lets keep the faith and continue the fight and remember he's in a better place know. But like he always said I FEEL LIKE GOING ON, THOUGH TRIALS COME ON EVERY HAND I FEEL LIKE GOING ON ;-)
love u,
alwayz n 4eva ya #1 Grand a.k.a. Auntie
Pastor Sheron Quails
October 27, 2006
To the Nesbitt Family;
I will always remember P.A. My prayers are with all of you. Doris be strong may God continue to bless and strengthen you.
Sheron Quails
Timothy E. Kitchens
July 3, 2006
To the Nesbitt family, our sincere condolences goes out to you at your time of sorrow. To Mother Nesbitt , Quintine and all others you truly had a great father. Remember earth has no sorrow that heaven can't heal.
Yours Truly,
Timothy E. Kitchens & Family
Delray Beach, FL. L.F.D & Emb.
Alltamease N Buie
July 3, 2006
Nesbitt Family,
Be Blessed, it seems as though it was only yesterday we were praising the Lord and having a good time doing so. You are so Blessed to have had such a wonderful Father, who all of us local people know how much he loved the LORD! kEEP ALL THE WONDERFUL MEMORIES IN YOUR HEART. NO WORDS CAN HELP RIGHT NOW,JUST KNOW God will use his talent. Love to Doris and the Family. My family feel your loss and hurt.
DESIREE WILLIAMS
July 2, 2006
To the attire Nesbitts family
hold your head up Bishop Nesbitt is in a better place now no more suffering in pain he is in Godshands now keep praying the whole family will be alright its going to take time.This is your cousin better known as Star to the family
Oris W and Dorothy B Walker
June 30, 2006
TO MRS. DORIS NESBITT AND FAMILY; We wish we knew the words, we wish we knew the way to ease your hurt a little and cheer your heart today, but we are not exactly sure what to say or what to do... We want you to know that we really care. With caring thoughts and deepest sympathy.
Mr. & Mrs. Juan A. (Shata'via) R. Story
June 30, 2006
To The Nesbitt Family: At times like these...it is only God who can speak the words that calm the sea, still the wind, and ease the pain. So lean on Him, and you will never walk alone.
Psalm 116 (NIV) says:
1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
2 Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.
3 The cords of death entangled me,
the anguish of the grave came upon me;
I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.
4 Then I called on the name of the LORD :
"O LORD, save me!"
5 The LORD is gracious and righteous;
our God is full of compassion.
6 The LORD protects the simplehearted;
when I was in great need, he saved me.
7 Be at rest once more, O my soul,
for the LORD has been good to you.
8 For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,
9 that I may walk before the LORD
in the land of the living.
10 I believed; therefore I said,
"I am greatly afflicted."
11 And in my dismay I said,
"All men are liars."
12 How can I repay the LORD
for all his goodness to me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the LORD.
14 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in the sight of the LORD
is the death of his saints.
16 O LORD, truly I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your maidservant;
you have freed me from my chains.
17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you
and call on the name of the LORD.
18 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of the house of the LORD—
in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD.
With Sympathy and Caring, Know that "Rev" is now safe in God's arms. Sending Our Love,
Stephanie Josie
June 30, 2006
To the Nesbitt Family:
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time. I have fond memories of spending time with you and your family and I will always remember how Rev. Nesbitt's support made a positive difference in my life. May God comfort your heart and continue to bless your family.
Love,Stephanie
stuart church of god
June 30, 2006
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
PASTOR JENKINS
June 30, 2006
REV. DR. T.W. JENKINS,PASTOR
NEW HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH
TAMPA, FL.
THE PASTOR AND CHURCH FAMILY ARE IN PRAYER FOR THE NESBITT FAMILY. WE SEND OUR LOVE TO LARRY AND CHICQUTAR JORDAN DURING THIS TIME OF BEREAVEMENT.
Donald & Phyllis Duncombe
June 29, 2006
To Sister Doris Nesbitt and Family,
Our love, thoughts and prayers are with you and the family at this time of grief. Bishop P.A. is no longer suffering. He's where he wants to be, Walking Around Heaven. There will soon be a "Glad Reunion Day." Look up! God is right there waiting to keep you lifted up! Be strong!
Blue Heron Church of God
Darlene Blatch
June 29, 2006
No bond is as great as that between a parent and child. Our deepest condolences are with you as you grieve.
quintina carswell-nembhard
June 29, 2006
sister nesbitt,i'm praying for you and your family that the the lord will carry you in this time of sadness. remember that the joy of the lord is your strength and he is your strong tower. know that you are in our thoughts and prayers
Regina Smith [email protected]
June 29, 2006
To The Entire Nesbitt Family:
Your love one is safe in God's care now and know that all of your friends are praying for you in your time of sorrow and keeping you in our prayers.Remember that earth has no sorrows that heaven can not heal. Just lean on Jesus he will see you through.
Sabrina:
May God Bless and watch over you during the lost of your father. I understand the pain you are having right now because I still have the same pain with the passing of my mother just 4 months ago. Always remember that in sympathy no time on earth is long enough to share with those we love or to prepare our hearts for good bye. May the love I know you have in Jesus, your family and friends carry you through your grief.
Carlos (C Lo):
May you find strength in your faith, comfort in God's love and peace knowing your friends are praying for you. Those we love remain part of us, our loved ones leave the world but never our hearts. It is so true that weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning. Remember that God makes no mistakes he has a plan for all of us.
"Don't give me a mansion at the top of the hill, don't give me riches for I know they will disappear, just give me a savior; I'd rather have Jesus that SILVER AND GOLD".
Love You All!
Truly Blessed
June 29, 2006
To Entrie Nesbitt Family,
Remember that God makes no mistakes and he hears all of your questions why and he understands. May God continue to Bless each and everyone that has been a great part of Bishop Nesbitt Jr's life.
I Understand
sometimes I feel like giving up
seemed like my best just isn’t good enough
lord If you hear me I'm calling you
do you see do you care all about what I'm going through
one more day one more step ,I'm preparing you 4 myself
when you can't hear my voice, please trust my plan
I'm the lord I see and yes I understand
sometime I feel all alone, just like a stranger so far from home, I feel like I've done all that I can do
please lord give me strength I'm just trying to make It through ,he knows how much we can bear
In the time of trouble he promised he'd always be there
I understand ,I understand I am the lord I see and yes I understand
I am the lord I changed not , I won't forget nor have I forgot
everything works according to my plan
I am god ,trust me I got the whole world In my hands
Julie Delapenha
June 28, 2006
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.
Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2006
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