On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, Nathaniel Bookman, Jr., of Anniston, AL, formerly of Coatesville, PA, passed away at Anniston Health & Rehab Center in Anniston, AL. Nathaniel was 72 years old.

Born in Coatesville, he was the son of the late Nathaniel Bookman, Sr. and Louise Bookman.

From a young age, Nate was a talented musician. While receiving his early education, Nate was a member of the Redmen Choir in both junior and senior years. He was also in District and Regional Chorus, All-State Chorus and Band during his junior and senior years. He was a member of the Meistersingers where he served as vice president and became the honor soloist in 1969. Nate graduated from Coatesville Area Senior High School in 1970.

After some time, Nate relocated to the stage of Georgia.  Throughout the years, he played for several churches including: Miracle Revival Temple, Friendship Baptist Church, Mt. Liberty Baptist, Galilee Baptist (Gadsden), Mission Baptist (Gadsden), and several churches in Georgia and Birmingham, AL to name a few.

His final music post and Minister of Music position was at the Oak Ridge Baptist Church in Hobson City, AL. In the 1990s and early 2000s, Nate played for the Baptist association entitled the Snow Creek Youth Department. This group was noted throughout Anniston and surrounding areas. At the height of this group, there were over 120 youth in this choir. Also, this group sang some original songs that he had written. They completed a live recording featuring those songs. Being an educator (teacher) by profession, he was involved with youth, and they were drawn to him. He just had a way to get youth to do whatever he asked them, and they had total respect for him. Bookman also worked with the Youth for Christ Rally every year. This organization was non-denominational and worked with youth all over the city to steer them in the right direction and to provide foundational Christian principles for them. Nate was also a part of the Annual Community Gospel Workshop sponsored by the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church every August for the church and surrounding communities. He was there and served as a clinician from the very inception of the workshop. This group has been going strong for 25 years. Some other notable groups that he served as a musician for included Bookman and Company and PraiZe.

Minister Nathaniel Bookman was a blessing to the greater Calhoun County Alabama area (Anniston, Gadsden, and Surrounding areas). He was commonly called Bookman, not out of disrespect, but because of familiarity and closeness. He was always well-received by the local church community and helped with any church function that he could. Bookman never met strangers because he was personable with everyone that he came into contact with.

Music was his life, and he taught choirs and other groups with every ounce of energy that the Lord gave him. His gift was dedicated to the glory of God, and it could be seen through his work. From the 1970's until recently, Bookman accompanied many groups and served as Minister of Music, Director of Music, Clinician, lecturer, and advocate for Christian music. He loved hymns, gospel, traditional, contemporary, and urban music. He believed in being well-rounded.

Nate leaves cherished memories to his sister, Iris Thomas, of Coatesville; nieces and nephews, Eric L. Bookman, Michelle L. Bookman, Michael L. Bookman, Miriam L. Williams Robinson and Marshay R. Williams; former spouse, Cynthia Bookman and a host of great nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Hutchinson UAME Church, 825 E Chestnut St., Coatesville, PA. Friends may visit with the family from 9:30 AM until the start of the service.

Family and friends may share condolences through the guestbook link on this memorial page. All are welcome to light a candle in his memory.

Condolences to be read should be faxed to 610-383-7523 or emailed to wrightfuneralsvs@aol.com to the funeral home by Friday 4 pm.