Nathan W. “Nat” Bright, Jr.
March 6, 1930 - February 21, 2023
Nathan W. “Nat” Bright, Jr., age 92, of Middletown, DE, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, February 21, 2023.
Born in Jamaica, Queens, NY, on March 6, 1930, he was a son of the late Nathan and Mildred (Smith) Bright, Sr. Nat was a graduate of Jamaica (Queens, NY) High School and Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD. He proudly served in the United States Army.
Before starting his career, Nat was a teammate at Morgan State University of Joe Black, who was an African American right-handed pitcher in the Negro League and Major League Baseball player for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Nat then dedicated his life to teaching the children of the New York City Public School System for 37 years. Throughout his career, he taught several subjects including Physical Education, Health, Special Education, and Driver’s Education during the summer months. Nat also served as Boy’s Dean at Shimer Junior High School 142 in Jamaica, Queens, NY. He later went on to teach at Forrest Hills Junior High School 192 until his retirement in 1991. In addition to Nat’s impressive teaching career, he was a devoted member of the Westbury, NY and Middletown, DE NAACP Chapters.
Nat’s passion for educating and assisting his community was deeply appreciated and remembered by many of his former students and colleagues. His lasting impact still resonates to this day, with many members of his community still reaching out to him for continued guidance and support.
In addition to his parents, Nat was preceded in death by his first wife, Jacqueline Bright; and brother, Donald J. Bright. He is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Carol G. (Williams) Bright; son, David K. Bright; grandchildren, David K. Bright II and Daniel Bright; niece, Audrey Bright-Greene (Anthony); great-niece, Emerald Greene; great-nephew, Forrest Greene; stepsons, Sean J. Mashburn, Sr. and Jeffrey Robinson; step-grandchildren, Sean Jr., Corey, Jayden, and Kianah; and 2 great-grandsons.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 2:30 pm until 4 pm on Sunday, February 26, 2023, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 275 East Main Street, Middletown, DE, where a funeral service will begin at 4 pm. A committal service will be held at 11 am on Monday, February 27, 2023, in the chapel of Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE.
Kim Cordell
While I did not have the pleasure or honor of knowing Mr. Bright well, it has been my pleasure to know his wonderful wife Carol. My heart goes out to Carol along with blessings and prayers. I am truly sorry for your loss.
W. Omar Barbour
Mr. Cool, Calm and Collected. Always sharp as a tack with the wit to match. We Shimer boys will always love and cherish the life of Mr. Bright for as long as we grace this earth and beyond. It was his tough love that helped many of us make it out of Shimer and Southeast Queens to higher grounds, boys and girls alike. Although he was the Dean of boys, many of our female compatriots had their eyes on jazzy Nat and loved that swagger that was his alone. A class act from the old school. A master of the two hand set shoot from anywhere on the court. We knew that he loved and appreciated us as Black children and we love and appreciated him as a dedicated teacher and a Black Man who stood talk and was a role model for one and all. Mr. B. will see you again for a 3 on 3 on the big court above.
Peace and Power to the People
W. Omar Barbour
Debra Meredith
Praying that God will grant you and your family perfect peace and strength during this time of sorrow .
Mr. & Mrs Lewis Morton
To Carol
Please accept our deepest sympathy for the loss of your husband. May his soul Rip
Michelle Dawkins
Awesome life lived Mr Bright all these years & u aged none here is a poem just for you. I’m gone for just a little while so please do not fret for me I have live a a life of 92yrs& there are no regrets you see so please don’t grief or even be sad we shall meet again. My Legacy shall go on done in sorrow Michelle T Dawkins
Nancy J Munoz
Carol
Though I never got to meet you I did have the honor of knowing Nat he was my x father in law and I have nothing but fond memories of him. He was an amazing man. I will always remember him with love and respect. Rest in peace God bless you.
Yvette Nelson
To the Bright Family, Thank you for sharing him with all of us students from Edgar D. Shimer JHS 142. Mr. Bright touched all of our in the most Profound & Positive Way, he will truly be missed by us all. Continued Prayers and Blessings for You Always
Robert Gadson
My sincere condolences to the entire Bright family, may God’s comfort strengthen you during this time. Mr. Bright was a motivating force in my life, his knowledge and encouragement guided until this day, his ice cream and cake I will never forget!❤️🙏🏽
Renay Medina
Dear Carol, Jerry and I would like to express or heartfelt sympathy over the loss of your beloved husband “Nat”. We mourn his loss with you, he was truly a remarkable person as it was evident in the many memories shared at his going home service. Wishing you comfort at the difficult time. With Loving thoughts and prayers, Renay and Jerry Medina
Frankie Johnson
Sending prayers and condolences to the family. RIP Mr. Bright. Saying goodbye to a great man who touch many students and provided necessary direction and discipline. Thank you sir. Will never forget you.
Carolyn Overton
My sincere condolences 🌺💕 to my “Bestie”, Carol Bright, family and friends. I am, so very sorry to hear about your loss. May “Father God” be with you in times of need.
Nate was a man of all means (A King). His 💕 love and kindness for his family was everything… He will truly be missed by all, who knew him in spirit.
I wish you the best of health with longevity. And, May “Father God” continue to bless you and your family and friends. Blessings. Xoxo. Nandi’.
Kathleen Peters
Carol
My deepest sympathies for the loss of Nat. So many memories of the three of us walking thru the garden discussing changes to be made. It was a pleasure to get to know you both. God bless your family and to help you through this time of mourning his passing. 🙏
Janice Codrington
Words can not convey the feelings in my heart, for Uncle Smothers friends and family. Rest well my friend as you are now an additional angel I have in heaven.
Janice Codrington
Regina E Corbin
With our heartfelt sympathy, for your lost 😞
Your in our prayers and thoughts
Roger and Regina Corbin
Deloris McQueen
Dearest Carol, and family,
Earth has no sorrows that Heaven can’t heal! Trust in our Father, Our Lord and Savior, in all things.
My prayer for you and the family is that God directs your path and in everything
Trust Him. He will see you through. My deepest condolences and sorrow at this time in your grief.
God bless you, I’m praying 🙏🏾 for you and with you!
One day at a time. Only God! Deloris McQueen
Denise Wallace
My Deepest Sympathy And Condolences To The Family!!! My Dear Friend In Shimer JHS!! Mr Bright Was Always Always Firm But Nice🙏🏽❤️R.I.Heavenly Peace💐
Melina (Mel) Rath
Dearest Carol.
Don and I are thinking of you in this time of immense lost. Both you and Nat were our favorite neighbors. All our interactions with Nat has always been fun and engaging. He was a humble, kind, and caring soul. We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers and sending a big virtual hug. Love, Mel, Don, Magic and Hogan.
Tina Littlejohn
I was listening to an interview that was praising the hard work and dedication of teachers. The teacher that was being interviewed said that we all have at least one teacher/educator that stands out in our memories. That one teacher that made a profound impact in our lives. Well Mr. Bright was certainly that teacher. I did not know that when would search online that I would find this. Although he was the boys dean, Mr. Bright was the dean and father figure to all of the students at Edgar D. Shimer JHS. Especially those of us who had absent fathers. There was not a day that my best friend and I did not stop by his office to say hello and listen to his many stories. We realized that it was better to go to his office on good terms and not because we were in trouble. Mr. Bright was firm yet gentle with all of his students. He spoke words of wisdom as he firmly guided all who chose to listen to want and to do better. I am certain that many of the students who were able to successfully graduate from Shimer went on to better and are certainly doing better because of Mr. Bright. My condolences to the Bright family and all who loved him. His legacy is definately going to continue through all who knew and loved him.
Joan Williams
Mr. Bright, thank you for your kindness, good deeds, and service over the years. I heard about you long before I met you, and I saw how many people you touched in your lifetime. You will be missed by all who knew you. Sleep in Peace Mr. Bright 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Richard Henrie Sr.
I was a problem as a teenager. Used to cut (play hookey) classes all the time. Mr. Bright wasn’t having it. He would come over to Ajax Park to get our butts back to school. We would look across the field and see him coming and take off. At an Ajax reunion one year I had to apologize to him for making his job harder.
paulette robinson
I remember Shimer JHS boys dean. I was a student there back in the mid 1960s. I was misbehaving in class and was sent to Mr. Bright’s office. He took pity on me because I was a girl. I didn’t get paddled. But I did not end up in his office ever again! lol Rest in peace Mr. Bright. Tell Mrs. Patterson my typing teacher I said hello when you enter those pearly gates.