Nathan Daniel Blackman

I worked with Nathan at Sonic he was always so respectful and there to lend a hand when you needed it. He always made everyone laugh and kept a smile on there face. I pray for his family as he will be missed deeply.

As Nathan's public speaking instructor, I had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the heart and character he brought into the classroom. Nathan was thoughtful, deeply compassionate, and wise beyond his years—an old soul with a genuine desire to make the world a better place. He was working on a project to address food insecurity, driven by a profound sense of justice and care for those facing hardship. His compassion was matched by a sharp wit and a wicked sense of humor that kept us all laughing and lifted the energy in the room.

Nathan was a bright light—quietly powerful, kind, and endlessly sincere. He had a way of connecting with others that made you feel seen and valued. His absence is deeply felt by his classmates and by me. We miss his insight, his laughter, and his generous spirit. I'm so grateful to have known him, even for a short time, and I will carry his memory with me.

With heartfelt sympathy, Dr. Angela Foster Craven Community College

Nathan was the type of student I always loved to see come into the library. No matter how his day was going, he would always smile and say hello. We would chat about his classes and our favorite Sonic drink combinations. He had a mischievous side, but it was always incredibly well-mannered and respectful and his smile could light up a room. My heart goes out the everyone his light shone on during his short life. He will be missed.

When Nathan moved here originally, his first day of school and first class was my homeroom at Northeast. It was 8th grade. I was the first girl he spoke to at Northeast and as soon as I saw him walk into class the first day after Christmas break I was so excited to have someone who looked cool and have similar interests in my class. After the bell he walked up to me and asked where I got all my cool jewelry. We would often text about crystals, places we wanted to travel, and music. He was one of my first crushes. He was so full of personality and always made everyone laugh lol. He was so playful and genuine. No matter how bad the day was he could still make everyone laugh. He knew how much I loved crystals so one day in music class he brought me a whole bunch of different crystals and painted rocks. I still have them. One of the rocks had a sun painted on it. He would always joke with me and call stuff I did "indie". Since I liked him I would get nervous to talk to him in school sometimes but he would come up to me at school and tell me how I need to talk to him more. When I went to the beach the summer after 8th grade, and he was on vacation I believe, we texted so much, I still have the screenshots of places I sent him that I wanted to travel. We didnt text after he went to eatly college and I went to Northside and I really miss our conversations. LLN💚🌞💫

I hope that you are able to rest easily. I never knew you well outside of work, but inside of work you were an amazing coworker and shining light. I could tell by our conversations that you were talented and intelligent and I wish you didn't pass at such a young age. Long Live Nathan 🕊.

I met Nathan when I worked at Craven Early College. I considered Nathan like my Son. He positive vibes in life and people really touched me. He would always seek me out to say hello or let me know about his day. He had the BEST manners. He would ask my advice on job interviews. I love him so much!! His smile would light up the room. He's definitely missed by so many people. Love you Nathan LLN ❤️ 💙

I met Nathan at Sonic and at Craven Community College. He was cool, funny, and smart I loved like a lil brother and I'm gonna miss him so much my prayers and condolences are with his friends and family. R.I.P Nathan my friend/coworker 🙏🏻😭❤️

I met Nathan through 2 of his closest friends. He was a very considerate and sweet person. When he went to bcehs, people naturally gravitated towards him because of the light he had. He never wanted to make anyone feel bad but wanted to make them smile. I'm glad we all got to hang out for the last time recently, he made us all laugh. I'm grateful I was able to call him a friend.

I met Nathan when he transferred to the early college. We became friends through other friends he had. He was always so happy and cheerful towards everyone. Even on my bad days, he brought a smile to my face and always cheered me up. I never had a negative experience with him, I only have good memories of him. Though we were not extremely close, I considered him a good friend and always will. Fly high Nathan, we love you.

I first met Nathan when he transferred to our school, but it didn't take long for me to call him a friend. He was so positive, thoughtful, and considerate even when others weren't always considerate of him. Even when I did not have the chance to see him as often anymore, he always still brought a smile to my face and was always excited to see me. We had a handshake, he would call me Zedy, and he has never had anything negative for me. What I loved about him was that he always made you feel seen, he was always curious about my culture and was eager to learn my second language. Nathan was so selfless. His impact on our school was not truly appreciated enough until he was gone. Nathan was the most positive person you could ask for in your life. I love you Nathan, LLN ❤️

There was never a day in my life where I didn't have Nathan up until now. I'll miss him for longer than I've known he's been my best friend since the day I was born. He was always there for me no matter what all my favorite memories are with him our sleep overs and family gatherings there was never a dull moment with him we watched each other grow up and I watched him become the amazing person he was the world lost a bright light and I've lost my favorite cousin I'll love you always Nathan

Nate has been and will forever be my bother for that first day we meet over the summer before 6th grade to the hundreds of times we hung out he was the true definition of a real friend he always had my back no matter what even if I was in the wrong but then after me would make sure to let me know I was in the wrong I still don't wanna believe it's true I can't believe your gone from all the times your where over at my house swimming and we would raid my snacks to the times we where at your house painting with your mom and little bother you where aways one to volunteer to help someone out first I remember we where supposed to go to Nashville and hang out for the day but instead we where at your grandmas house helping her out and that was ten times better we still had one of my favorite memories together that had you aways had my back at school no matter what and I'll always be grateful for that if I needed someone to talk to you where there and would drop everything your my bother and will forever be my bother to killings that snake in the sand pit at your grandmas to making TikTok's at my house I will never forget you and will always carry on your memory LLN❤️🕊️

I first met Nathan at BCECHS and we've been best friends ever since then. He moved away after our freshman year and somehow we became closer than when he was here. We've shared a lot of great memories together and experienced a lot of new things as well. Nathan was liked and loved by many people, there were very few, if any, that didn't approve of Nathan and that just shows the type of person he was, he always had a light spirit wherever he went.

I met Nathan at Sonic when I worked there and he never made anyone feel drained when they were around him. One time he called himself light skin glory while ordering his free meal for being a crew leader. He made everyone laugh all the time while also taking his work seriously. He was a leader, he was a friend, and he was just a light that everyone should miss. I was never close to him but regardless he still made a difference in my life. I know he is in Gods hands and he in all of our hearts.

RIP Nathan/LIGHTSKINGLORY

I first met Nathan at the Craven Early College in my homeroom, and it didn't take very long for us to click. I always looked up to Nathan, even if he was younger than I was. I always admired his humor and how chill he was. Nathan was the kind of person who could have a conversation with anyone, it didn't matter how well he knew them. I didn't realize until he was gone just how much I talked to Nathan, as I've had so much I've wanted to talk to him about this past week. Nathan was a peer, a coworker, but more importantly he was someone I could go to and he would tell me exactly how it is. My last time talking to Nathan in person, I gave him a hug. I'm forever grateful for that moment. Rest easy, Nathan. We love you. LLN.

I first met you at bccc early college and immediately wanted to be your friend. You always put on the best outfits and had the best music taste and was so funny. I'm sorry i didn't keep in contact with you everyday while you were gone, but i'm glad i did checkups on you when you moved and had one last chance to see you at the basketball game with our closest friend. I will never forget your smile or the way your presence lit up a room. I'll miss you forever. I love you Nathan❤️

when i first met you nat i thought you was just a lightskin from Tennessee coming to work with us lol little did we know you was soon going to be a manager alongside with us & as we got to know you more we grew fond of working with you or just having you in our presence. having you not show up to work almost 30 mins before your shift & just stand by me on pass & ask how my day or how the shift when.. it all feels scripted or a bad movie..you will alwayssss be in our hearts 💓 LLNATEDAGREAST 🫶🏾

Nathan was very smart, kind and was loved by many. Nathan will forever be remembered. Rest in peace.

I met Nathan on his first day at the early college. From the second I met him, he was bringing a smile to people's faces. Nathan and I bonded over unreleased music all the time, and it was just a really unique experience to share with someone as great as him. He told me a lot about how he was doing in school in our small conversations in the hallway before English class. We'd share jokes, and I can't recall a single time I had a negative experience with Nathan. I won't ever forget our handshake, Nate. Fly high, man. Long Live Nathan

Had the pleasure of meeting Nathan this school year at Craven Early College. He was admired by many and will be truly missed. Extending prayers to the family. Asking for peace, strength & understanding during this difficult time! <3 #OnlyGoneInBody

I meet Nate about one month after he moved here from Washington. Randomly saw him in a hallway and that's where it began. Because we went to different school locations we weren't supposed close till the second half of my junior year. He helped thru a lot and eventually we started working together and became really close. Nate is the only person I have ever met that no one has anything negative to say about he was also kind to everyone. He was one of a kind and Nathan genuinely had an impact on everyone he met. He will be missed and I wouldn't be where I am today without Nathan. Love Live Nathan

I ain't know him for that long but we had some real talks all the time when he took me home, that was my boy for real and all this is just sad. I hope he in a better place now

I did not know Nathan well, but I could recognize his friendly personality from the few times I did talk to him. I usually ran into him in the hallways when I visited Bender. I know our school will surely miss him. My heart goes out to his peers, teachers, friends, and family.

Nathan was smart, kind, funny and outgoing with those close to him. I was never close to him, but I still will miss seeing him on campus and such. Nathan, your spirit here on campus will never die. We love you and miss you more every day. Fly high Nathan <3.

Nat was a very sweet and very outgoing person . I been working with Nat at sonic and everyday he came to work he was always so loving and kind and always smiling you definitely gonna miss by everyone at Sonic We Love You Nat Prayers for his family and friends also 💙❤️

Nathan always brought a smile to our homeroom and me. He was so funny, multi-talented, and charismatic. I deeply regret not knowing him more, but I look for him in everything I see and that makes me grateful that I could be blessed to just be in his presence. He is so loved and I hope he knows that.

Nathan was loved by many and was a good friend full of love and joy. Nathan always knew how to make people smile and feel loved.

Nathan was an amazing person, funny guy, and amazing friend. He was my neighbor and we went to school together. He would always ask how my day was and how I was doing. Him and his family are in my prayers.

I am a classmate of Nathan's - we didn't speak personally very often, but the conversations I observed, he was very thoughtful, compassionate, and articulate with his words. Praying for everyone affected by his passing!

Nathan was such a bright light anytime he stopped by the college library. His wit, down to earth nature, and ability to befriend anyone were such gifts. We were blessed to have known and worked with him these past few years. Your family is in our thoughts and Nathan will always be in our hearts.

Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.