Ezekiel Nathan, Sr,

Ezekiel Nathan Sr was born August 20, 1931, to the union of the late Daisy Willie Ann Brown and William Henry Nathan Sr. of Dayton, Alabama, where he also attended Marengo County School. He quietly passed away on April 22, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. 

Ezekiel was preceded in death by one sister and five brothers, Roberta Nathan McGinnis (Willie), Matthew Nathan (Bessie), Eddie Lee Nathan (Virginia), Eugene Nathan (Neil), Willie Lee Nathan (L.V.), and Booker T. Nathan (Flora). Only one sibling survives him, William Henry Nathan Jr (Louise).

He met the love of his life, Rosie Lee Watson in Mobile Alabama and they were married on January 31, 1953. From this union there are seven beautiful children. Our Daddy had a ‘Motherly Love’ for His children. 

He is survived by his loving and dedicated wife of 72 years Rosie Lee Nathan, and their children; Ezekiel Nathan Jr (Kathleen), Earnest Nathan (Sarah), Rose Marie Washington (James), Linda Faye Nathan, Christann Baxter (Marion), Edward Louis Nathan (Laura), and Daisy Paulene Nathan Smith. Also, mourning the loss is His daughter, Mary Emma Harris of Uniontown Alabama. 

He has 16 grandchildren who mourn His loss, they are: Lewona Nicole Brown (Demond), April Lenore Nathan, Earnest Christopher Nathan, Justin Ezekiel Nathan Sr, Jani Muhammad (Ibn), Nannette Nathan, Shavaughn Johnson (Allen Sr.), Krista MeSchelle Roberts (Troy), Eric Chauncey Nathan (Chantylle), Jada Nathan, Fredric Ezekiel Nathan, Mikaela Bryant (Raymond), Michael Christian Nathan Thomas (Tijaya), Rosie Gist (Erick), Angie Jean Harris, and Stephanie Harris, 29 great grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren along with cousins, and a host of spiritual friends. Ezekiel has several spiritual sons and daughters that he adopted over the years; Desiree Williams of Charlotte North Carolina, Derrick & Esther Moody and Jerry & Anita Portis of Mobile Alabama. He considered Melvin & Mary Odom and Clarence & Tiffany Jones of Mobile Alabama close friends whom He cherished. 

‘Deacon’ or ‘Zeke’, as he was affectionately called, had a deep love for the truth and dedicated his life to Jehovah then symbolized this dedication thru water baptism as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on May 28, 1966. He was a loyal servant of Jehovah, He was appointed elder in 1972, and served as Secretary in the Northwest Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Prichard Alabama for many years. Zeke was known throughout the southeast as one who adhered to Theocratic Order, He carried out his duties with love and care. As an example, for conventions and assemblies He would organize bus trips for the local friends, manage refreshment stands near and far (Florida, Georgia, Texas & Louisiana). He loved the friends and was eager to assist any who needed help, as an example He oftentimes repaired cars the night before an assembly so that friends would have transportation to and from, He truly was the very epitome of Love & Hospitality. He had the privileged of being assigned to the Baptism at many assemblies, where he baptized countless individuals in the early years. 

He willingly opened his home at 2660 Bank Ave for various spiritual activities such as the weekly book study arrangement and weekend field service. This Home truly proved to be an extension of the Kingdom Hall for more than 40 years!! He developed a ‘first of its kind’ systematic way to distribute the Watchtower and Awake magazines to the local friends while serving at the Northwest Congregation in the late 60’s. He was a hard worker supporting His family financially as a Pole Lineman for eleven years with the Civil Service working with telecommunications and disaster recovery. He then worked for Mitternight Industries as a Sandblaster and Painter for 18 years, lastly with Mobile County School System as a Bus Driver until his retirement in 2000.

Reflections:

Daddy loved spending time with His family. One of his favorites were the long weekends on ‘The Hill’. He would pack up his purple truck with all of his children & grandchildren to meet up on The Hill. It started out with setting up tents to setting up campers and a tiny home. We spent many days frying fish, barbequing chicken & ribs and grilling sausage with all the fixings to spending our nights sitting around the campfire enjoying one another under the starry skies. He enjoyed Jehovah’s creation and so did all of us.

The yearly wedding anniversary events were especially fun and special for us all. Everyone would pack up and head home, again long weekends of togetherness. We could always spot Daddy as we arrived on Friday evenings, wearing his green apron. We knew the cooking was well underway, with Madea in the kitchen preparing for the Big Sunday dinner. We loved it when we celebrated those milestone years 50, 65, & 70 too with limousines and catered meals. We would all dress up in our formal attire and on our best behavior of course to enjoy an evening with family and friends – such fond memories we have of those times. Daddy leading us all.

We took long trips together too; two different times we went to Bethel where Daddy took 48 of his family members with others wanting to join us as well. It was known that we would have fun, laughs and good spiritual association with Ezekiel Nathan Sr and His family. They knew we would laugh at each other and with each other. So many fond memories that will keep our family going in the days, weeks, and months to come. WE so appreciate all of the memories!

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday April 27, 2024, at 11am cst at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses located at 4232 Saint Stephens Road Mobile Al 36612. Officiating Minister is John Figgers.

Zoom information:

Meeting ID: 874 5444 0783

Password: 293293

The Family would like to thank Rhonda Moseley, a loving and dedicated caregiver who ‘spoiled Daddy rotten’ and Keisha Wiggins who took such special care of Daddy. Special thanks to Esther Moody for her many years of loving care and Mary & Lawrence Smith for their careful preparation of meals for our parents.

We also would like to thank all of you for supporting us thru your prayers, phone calls, texts, visits, and other practical ways.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ezekiel Nathan, Sr,, please visit our floral store.