Aretha Nathan

Mrs. Aretha Nathan was born in Matson, Mississippi to her parents, William and Minnie Lee Brown who preceded her in death. She was raised in Friars Point, Mississippi with 8 siblings born to this union. Mrs. Aretha Nathan attended Armstead Chapel Missionary Baptist Church and at 10 years old accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Aretha matriculated through Coahoma County school system and upon graduating High School, attended and graduated from Coahoma Junior College. Aretha then went to Alcorn College and transferred to Mississippi Valley College where she completed her degree in Elementary Education. She became an educator and taught in Coahoma County, Mississippi and Shelby County, Tennessee. Aretha also taught in Augsburg, Germany. While attending an event with her niece, Vaughn Randolph and friend, Eddie Lee Riley, Aretha met Charles Nathan late in 1954, and they married October 21, 1956. The couple moved to Memphis, Tennessee and to this union 2 children were born, Charles L. Nathan and Cateena L. Nathan. Aretha traveled the world as a military wife where she experienced new people and different cultures. Having grown up in the rural south, Aretha’s world was expanded wider than she could have imagined. As a lifelong learner, Aretha learned from the diverse cultures and places she lived and taught her children to be open and accepting of all cultures, races and ethnicities which became a way of life for the Nathan household. At the center of this was always Christ who keeps a protective covering on the household. When Aretha relocated to another duty station, state or town, she always joined and participated in a local church. She was active as a Sunday school teacher and later when settled in Colorado, Aretha and Charles became Directors of the Youth Ministry at Circle Drive Baptist Church. Aretha sang in the choir and was always excited to sing in the Living Christmas Tree as Christmas was her favorite holiday. Also preceding Aretha in death were sisters, Albertine Randall; Sadie Lee Martin; Willie Lee Bryant and Charlene Neely; and brothers; William Brown and Milton Brown. Aretha is survived by loving husband, Charles H. Nathan; son Charles L. Nathan (Roberta Buoro); daughter Cateena L. Powers (Winston); sisters, Evelyn Taylor and Earsey Lollis (Henry); granddaughters, Charleze Nathan, Dana Powers, Clara and Emma Giunta, and a host of nieces nephews and a community of cherished friends. Aretha was a loving kind-hearted Christian who was treasured by all who knew her.