Reverend Dr. Nathaniel Scates, Sr.

Reverend Nathaniel Scates is the third of seven children born to the late Deacon Charlie Phil Scates and the late Birdie Coleman Scates in Trezevant, Tennessee, located in Carroll County. God blessed him to receive his early educational training in Tennessee Public Schools. He completed studies in Wingo Elementary School in Trezevant and graduated from Webb High School in McKenzie, Tennessee. He then attended the Industrial & Agricultural College in Nashville, Tennessee for two years. Due to financial hardship and the military draft, he joined the United States Marine Corp. He received basic training at Camp Lejune, North Carolina. After completing basic training, he was stationed at NavPhiBase , Little Creek, Norfolk, Virginia. During his military career, he was awarded a Good Conduct Medal which denotes honest and faithful service in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps. Having completed his military career, he became employed at the Portsmouth Naval Medical Center where he received his training in Business Management and was promoted to head foreman. After thirty-six years of dedicated service, he retired as a civil servant employee with many awards. Reverend Scates joined the Saint John Baptist Church in Portsmouth, Virginia, under the leadership of the late Reverend C.J. Freeman. For many years, he was a faithful member there, and it was during his membership at St. John that he accepted his calling from God to preach the gospel. He completed the requirements for his certificate in the School of Theology at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia, and also through satellite courses from Virginia Seminary and College before he was licensed and ordained. Reverend Scates evangelized throughout the Tidewater area before he was called to pastor at Tabernacle Baptist Church. After preaching several sermons at Tabernacle, the congregation chose him as pastor-elect in September, 1986, and in December, 1986, he became the pastor. For twenty-five years, he was a fortress, a solid foundation and pillar of strength, a great leader, teacher, preacher, mentor, confidante, and friend. He was known to give and display his love with a smile to everyone including strangers; to him, we are all of “God’s children.” He stressed the importance of knowing the Word and has always been instrumental in the youth and their growth. Pastor Scates was often involved in ministering to the sick and elderly in Suffolk and surrounding areas. On December 31, 2011, he preached his last sermon as pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Outreach Center. Tabernacle has been truly blessed to have been pastored by such a warrior for Christ. In relationship to his ministry, he is a member of the Sharon Missionary Baptist Association, the Suffolk Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, and the Radio Prayer Partners Ministry. In support of his community, he is a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Nansemond Parkway Civic League. In addition to his passion for preaching, he has a great love for singing. He has always loved to sing! Even as a child, he sang with his siblings and his mother who was one of the best gospel singers in Carroll County. He sang in his high school quartet in which he won first chair for bass all four years. His love for gospel music inspired him to join the famous Gospel Kings and the Gospel Superiors. He has been blessed with a thunderous voice that is highly enjoyed by many; He is often requested to sing his favorite song “This Old Building Keeps on Leaning.” Before his illness, he could still “bring down the house” with his singing!!!! He met and married the late Clorrise Sivell. They became the proud parents of two sons and three daughters, two living and one decreased Sheila Scates. They also raised two grandchildren as though they were their own. On November 30, 2002, Reverend Scates was richly blessed to join in Holy Matrimony with his fiancé, Erma Lee Crayton. She worked closely with her husband in the growth and development of the Tabernacle Baptist Outreach Center. He leaves to cherish his memory and foster his legacy, his wife and combined family; Erma L. Scates, two sons; Reverend Nathaniel (Minister Kimberly) Scates, Jr., Norman Scates, four daughters; Rev. Dr. Maria Antionette Scates D.D., Deaconess Emma Marilyn (DeaconRobert) Schafer, Glenda V. Willis, Valerie A. (Ralph) Johnson; seven grandchildren: Rev. Dr. Jermaine Antiono (Rev. Dr. Andrea) Scates, Angel Scates, Lashanna Beasley, Stephen Douglas Willis, Jeremy Vinson, Dominique Vinson, Austin Johnson, Christopher Johnson, and a very devoted friend who is loved by the entire family Reverend Ursula Meier; one sister Joyce Ann Scates, one brother Charlie Jewell Scates; one sister-in-law Arvie Scates; one niece Avie Scates and one nephew Dr. Bradley Scates; three brother-in-laws, Willie James(Vanessa) Johnson, Fitzgerald (Mary) Johnson, and Marvin (Vertina) Johnson; TBOC church family, a host of nieces, nephews, and a host of ministry colleagues, prayer partners and friends.

Reverend Dr. Nathaniel Scates, Sr.

April 4, 1931 - May 16, 2020