Cornelius Nabers

Apr. 23, 1940 – Oct. 8, 2025

Cornelius Nabers was born on April 23rd, 1940, the youngest child of the union of Ernest Nabers, Sr. and Mattie Simmons Nabers who resided in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

He received his elementary school training in Altoona before relocating to Gaston, Alabama to live with his mother after his parents separated. In Alabama, he hunted raccoons, picked cotton, and finished middle school.

In 1954, at the age of 14, he moved to Crowley Louisiana to live with his older brother Ernest Nabers, Jr. and wife Annie Lara who raised him along with their three young children.

While in Louisiana, Cornelius flourished as an exemplary student, graduating from Ross High School as salutatorian and receiving a scholarship to the HBCU Southern University.

But Cornelius had other plans. He missed his hometown and remaining family in Pennsylvania so he put off college for a year and returned to Altoona to work and save money before enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1962 — where he served during the day and went to school at night, earning a BA and MBA from Golden Gate University in San Francisco.

In 1965, he met Janet Trice, a pretty girl at a party. He told her he was soon to be stationed in France and promised to send her love letters while abroad. Which he did… the last love letter ending with his proposal. They married on January 28th, 1966.

After serving thirteen years, Cornelius was honorably discharged from the Air Force as a Staff Sargent in 1975. He went on to work for Occidental Chemical Company in Modesto, CA before moving to Houston in 1979 to work as an accountant for the City of Houston for 20 years. He retired in 2006.

In his spare time, Cornelius taught computer science courses at a local college in Houston. And when he survived prostate cancer, he made it a point to speak to Black men in and around the city to help raise their cancer awareness.

Cornelius was a deeply devoted father who supported his children’s endeavors. He was a wildly funny and charming husband, uncle, brother, and friend and had an exceptional skill at making strangers feel comfortable and seen.

An avid golfer and history buff — Cornelius loved to travel the world and tell stories. His one-of-a-kind laugh and unwavering support will be missed by the family he reared and loved.

He is proceeded in death by his parents and ten siblings: Ernest Nabers Jr, Theda Brown, Maxine Wheelwright, Naquilla Whitehead, Louise Harris, Mamie Nabers, Inez Hogans, Esther Nabers, Thomas Dickerson and Ronald Dickerson.

He’s survived by his wife of 59 years, Janet Nabers of Houston, TX. Three children: Sonja Marie McKenzie, Darrell Eugene Nabers (Jen Nabers), and Janine Victoria Nabers Marciano, (Etan Marciano). And one Godson, Doyle Anthony Shafer II.

He leaves behind six adoring grandchildren: Aallan, Mariah, Darius, Victoria, Mattie and Coleman. And a host of nieces, nephews, and relatives… including his cherished sister-in-law Annie Lara Brown Nabers.

Friends will be received from 11a.m. until a noon service, Saturday, October 25, 2025 at The Stevens Mortuary, Inc., 1421 8th Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602 with Rev. Henry Hansard officiating.

Interment will immediately follow at Blair Memorial Park Cemetery, 3234 E Pleasant Valley Boulevard, Altoona, PA.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in Cornelius Nabers name. A non-profit organization he gave money to every year and greatly appreciated.

DONATION LINK:

https://www.pbs.org/about/about-pbs/support-pbs/

Condolences may be made at www.stevensfamilyfuneralhomes.com or Stevens Family Funeral Homes Facebook.