He was called to preach as a child and gave his life to the ministry.
He earned his bachelor of arts in theology, graduating from Emmanuel Theological Seminary, and was an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene.
He pastored more than 50 years. God transformed lives through his humble obedience. Many young people were called into the ministry under his leadership.
He was a special person and a well-loved minister. He served faithfully as the pastor in Elizabethton, Bristol, Cleveland, Chattanooga and Athens, and in Franklin, Ind. His final work was building a beautiful church in Athens. He retired in 2007.
He was preceded in death by his father, Paul C. Nave; his grandparents: Lillie and Henry Nave and Cora and Charles W. Vandeventer; and several uncles and aunts.
He is survived by his mother, Pauline Vandeventer Nave; sister, Shelia (Dennis) Wyatt; a loving wife of 57 years, Barbara Hardin Nave; five children: Danielle (Bill) Gentry, Elisa (Alvin) Peoples, Justina (the Rev. Keith) Robinson, the Rev. Brian Nave (Carol), and Wesley Nave (Lisa); 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; his mother-in-law, Hildred Ellis Hardin; his brother-in-law, Richard (Donna) Hardin; his uncle, Clifford Vandeventer (Joyce); several cousins; and a special cousin and childhood playmate, Shelby Jean Taylor.
The funeral will be held in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home Monday, Oct.17, 2011, at 2 p.m. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends on Monday from noon to 2 p.m., prior to the service.
Remembering his admonition to “Invest your life in things eternal,” the family requests those desiring to honor his memory contribute to the building fund at either Decherd Nazarene Church or the Athens Nazarene Church.
You are invited to send a message of condolence and view the Nave family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.
