Nathaniel, affectionately nicknamed, "Buddy", was born on January 18, 1932, in Clearwater, Florida, to Arthur and Dessie Mae (Washington) Lewis. His mother passed away when he was 5 years old. Nathaniel's father, Arthur Lewis, married Della Hamilton after his wife's death and moved his family to Washington, D.C., in 1947.

Nathaniel graduated from Phelps High School in Washington, D.C. After graduating from High School, he enlisted in the United States Military and served during the Korean War from 1952 to 1954. After his tour of duty ended with the U.S. Army, he was employed with the United States Railroad until he retired. He moved to New Jersey in 1969 and worked for the United Parcel Service and later for the United States Postal Service.

His first marriage to Viola blessed him with five children, Natalie, Julia, Derrick, Roselyn, and Nathaniel I. His second marriage to Geraldine was equally blessed with three children, Charles, Caryn, and Edwin, from her previous marriage, and we became a blended family. We were later gifted with our precious Natasha from their union.

Nathaniel was a loving and devoted spouse and parent to his nine children. He leaves us with many fond memories; picnics in the park, summers at amusement parks, and singing fests in the car, just to name a few. Nathaniel was an enthusiastic gardener. He and Geraldine enjoyed listening to music, cooking, traveling, and entertaining family and friends.

As a youth, Nathaniel loved the Lord, accepted Christ, and was baptized into the Seventh-Day Adventists religion. He was an active member of the First Seventh Day Adventist Church in Washington, D.C. When he moved to the State of New Jersey, he became actively involved with Trinity Temple SDA Church in Newark, where he served until 2018. As a church member, he was a Deacon and Elder. He served on various committees and was the Director of the Community Service Group. He was the Leader of the Pathfinders. He was a member of the Prison Ministry, President of the Senior Citizens Group, ran the Food & Clothing Bank, and sang in the Choir. Nathaniel received many awards and recognition throughout his forty-five-plus years of service to the Church. He was the Assistant Co-Ordinator for the North Jersey Region. He retired to Brandon, Florida, in 2018, joined the Mount Calvary Seventh Day Adventist Church in Tampa, Florida, and became a member of the church Veterans Group.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Dessie Lewis; and six siblings. He leaves precious memories with his loving wife, Geraldine Lewis; children, Natalie "Tammy" Lewis Rice (Thomas Rice), Juila "Julie" Lewis, Derrick "Ricky" Lewis (Shelia), Roselyn "Rose" Lewis, Nathaniel "Skipper" Lewis I, Charles "Chucky" Young, Caryn Young (Maria Ortiz), Edwin "Ed" Young, and Natasha "Tasha" Lewis; sisters, Alberta Loftis and Elizabeth Hundley; grandchildren, Crystal, Charles, Azariah, Jihan, Derrick, Nathaniel II, Lauren, Victoria, Nicolas, Kyle, and Semone; fifteen great-grandchildren; and a host of loving relatives and friends.

Visitation
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Aikens Funeral Home
2708 E Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Tampa, FL 33610

Funeral Service
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
10:00 AM
Mount Calvary Seventh-day Adventist Church
4902 N 40th St
Tampa, FL 33610