Nathaniel Hawthorne Waddell

Nathaniel Hawthorne Waddell Sr entered this world on August 21, 1935, to his parents, Walter Browder Waddell and Cornelia Lettiequeen (Gaither) Waddell. Nathaniel was always an obedient and responsible child. He confessed his faith in God at the early age of 10 and joined Massey's Chapel CME Church in Fairview, Ky. He attended school in Christian County KY, until the 6th grade. (He was taken out of school to work and help his father on the farm). He later returned to school to earn his GED through Attucks High School in Hopkinsville, KY. Nathaniel’s first job was at Fuqua-Hinton Funeral Home. He was also employed by the Christian County Unemployment Office as a janitor, where he worked until he moved from Hopkinsville to Evansville, IN. One of his initial acts upon arrival in Evansville was to join the Cleaves Memorial CME Church, where he was an active member serving as, Steward, Trustee, Lay Leader, Usher, van driver, and repair man for years. He was recently presented an award for his many years of faithful service and devotion to Cleaves by the current members. He served until he no longer could.

His move to Indiana would not be easy. Nate was a single father of 4 (ages 3 -12) working as a delivery man for the Home Juice Company. In the mid 70’s, he worked at Whirlpool Corp. It was a better fit with a set schedule. He worked the first shift at Whirlpool for years to have more time with his children, their school activities, and his new business, “Waddell’s Appliance Repair”. Nate later became the Maintenance Supervisor at the Evansville Housing Authority. He had a unique ability to fix any and everything. All he needed was to know what it was doing and a little time to figure it out. He retired from Normal Life Residential Services Maintenance Dept. As Mr Waddell’s health faded, he became a resident at North Park Nursing Home from Dec 3, 2018, until he departed this life on Oct 6, 2025, at 06:15 am.

Nathaniel was the 7th child of his parents, Walter and Cornelia Waddell who preceded him in death. His 2nd wife Virginia (Pressley), 2 of his grandsons (Torre and Chris), and 9 of his 11 siblings, Maxine, Rose, Walter Jr, Dorothy, Horace, James,  * , Ernest, Harry, and Carrie, have also preceded him in death. His only living sister, Vada M. Waddell of Hopkinsville, KY, mourns his passing.

Nathaniel married at age 21 to Katherine (Mimms) Dixon in 1956. To their union, 4 of his 7 children were born, Katie N. Dunbar (preceded her father in death in 2008), Maggie L.(Patrick) Brown, Stockbridge, Georgia, Nathaniel H. Waddell Jr, (Sonya), Evansville, IN, and Evie Waddell, Evansville, IN. The couple divorced in 1970, but remained amicable for their children and active in each other's extended families. Mr Waddell welcomed to his family a daughter in 1972, Amie L. Pointer  Thomas (Jay), a son in 1978, Antonio (Sara) Waddell, and his last son in 1982, Kacheyta (Latoya) McClellan.. He was so proud that all his children had an education and were professionals: Laboratory Technician, retired Army x2, Nursing, Healthcare Administration, Respiratory Therapist, Masters in Business, and entrepreneur. Mr Waddell has 20 grandkids; 26 great grandkids; 3 great-great-grandgirls; and a host of beloved nieces and nephews. HE LOVED HIS FAMILY !