Nathan Tester

Nathan Tester

November 2, 2025

On Sunday, November 2, 2025, Nathan Tester answered the call of the Lord, saying, "Come home, well done, my good and faithful servant."

He had longed to hear those words so deeply since July 16, 2022, when his bride, JoAnn, the love of his life and best friend, was called home. His prayer for many years was to see her through, and God blessed him by allowing him to do so. Now he has joined her in paradise to glorify their Savior together!

Nathan was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, JoAnn Tester; his parents, Clarence V. and Gertrude Tester; his brothers, Clarence B. Tester and Wilbert Tester; and his sister, Anna Tester-Smith.

He is survived by his daughters, Susan Custer, Melissa Howell, and Leslee Matthews; two "sons," Willie Custer and Terry Howell; granddaughters, Rachael Custer (Lee), Amanda Custer Harris (Mike), Lauryn Forrester (Natasha), and Jessica Murdock; grandsons, Justin Howell, Joshua Howell, Nathan Matthews, and Dominic Matthews; great-grandchildren, Emily Custer, Wyatt Palmer and Charlotte Palmer; two special nephews, Danny Reed and Tony Burnette; two special "daughters," Mary and Brittany Martin; and many nieces and nephews that he loved.

In addition to being married to his best friend, Nathan was blessed with three daughters, his "three little girls," that he loved beyond measure. He was always our hero and our first love. He taught us how God meant for a man to love his family by showing us every day. He was Grandpa to many and loved each one in a special way. He enjoyed sharing stories about them from their childhood, that would always make them laugh.

He loved being surrounded by all his girls, he said he was blessed with so many "cluckers," even if it meant he didn't have any peace. He never left out his boys, either. He had a special bond with each one. He was fond of quoting Psalm 127 about his grandchildren, "blessed is a man with a quiver full."

Nathan retired from Appalachian Power Company. He loved the work he did and spent many hours recounting his adventures with family and friends. He served the Lord at Beaverdam Baptist for many years with joy and "amens" from the second pew. He also served in a nursing home ministry for over 30 years at Lakeview and considered each one of the residents he ministered to as "his babies." He had a big heart for the Lord and such a desire for others to know Jesus that he shared the Good News of Jesus even to the end.

We saw the Lord's hand of provision during this difficult season in those He provided to help us care for daddy at home as he wished. We want to thank our hospice angel, Eden Hill, for how she cared for him, as well as the whole care team at Good Samaritan Hospice. We were also blessed with his loving friend and caregiver, Rita McNeal, and thank her for everything she did to help us give him freedom of living his last days on his own terms.

Daddy will be missed, leaving a hole in the lives of all who loved him, but especially in the lives of his daughters. We will miss you, but just until we meet again in Heaven.

A celebration of Nathan's life and faith will be held at Beaverdam Baptist Church in Vinton, Va. at 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 6, 2025, with a visitation for an hour before the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Beaverdam Baptist Cemetery Fund. Condolences may be shared with his family by visiting www.Oakeys.com.

Oakey's Funeral Service - Vinton Chapel

Vinton, VA (540) 982-2221