2019 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 115
BY SENATOR BOUDREAUX
A RESOLUTION
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
death of Ernest Nabers Jr.
WHEREAS, it was with deep regret and profound sorrow that the members of the
Legislature of Louisiana learned of the death of Ernest Nabers Jr. on Saturday, April 28,
2019; and
WHEREAS, Ernest Nabers Jr. was born on September 28, 1929, in Birmingham,
Alabama, the second child born to the union of Ernest Nabers Sr. and Mattie Simmons
Nabers; and
WHEREAS, he received his elementary and high school training in Altoona,
Pennsylvania, where, in high school, he was an outstanding athlete in football and track, and
graduated from Altoona High School in 1949; and
WHEREAS, it was his mother's desire for him to have the best education possible,
so she took her life savings and bought a one-way train ticket to Louisiana so that he could
attend college; and
WHEREAS, Ernest Nabers Jr. played football and furthered his education at Leland
College in Baker, Louisiana, where the motto was Non nobis sed omnibus, (Not for
ourselves, but for others), which became his life's work; and
WHEREAS, Leland College was also where he met his beautiful wife, Annie Laura
Brown; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from Leland College and earning a master's degree +30
at Southern University in Baton Rouge, he helped many other young students continue their
education, as Wilbur Bryson and Lawrence Thornton had done for him; and
WHEREAS, Ernest Nabers was very active in the community and church; he was an
educator and football, basketball, and track coach at Paul Breaux High School; assistant
principal at Lafayette High School; principal at Northside High School and N.P. Moss
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Middle School, and Superintendent of Recreation and Parks for the city of Lafayette; and
WHEREAS, he was a member of the Southern University Board of Supervisors,
Lafayette Chapter of Southern University Alumni Association, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity,
MLK Holiday Committee, Kiwanis S.W., S.A.L.T., and a LHSAA Top 28 Volunteer; and
WHEREAS, in his church, Ernest Nabers served on the steward and trustee boards
and as an usher; and
WHEREAS, he was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and six sisters;
and
WHEREAS, Ernest Nabers Jr. is survived by his wife of sixty-six years, Annie Laura
Brown Nabers; three children: Gabriel (Leona) Nabers, Wilbur Lawrence (Dena) Nabers,
and Damita Marie Nabers (Errol) Rogers; seventeen grandchildren: Andrea N. Jones (Fred),
Tonya D. Nabers, Faydra N. Allen (Reginald), Dominique R. Donaldson (Al), Desiree R.
Rogers (Justin), Ashleigh Nabers, Ernest Nabers III, George A. Nabers, Danielle Rogers,
Erin Rogers, Errol Rogers Jr., Erika Rogers, Gabriel E. Nabers Jr., Zachery Nabers, Jordan
Nabers, Joseph Nabers, Jaydon Nabers; seven great grandchildren; four great-great
grandchildren; one brother, Cornelius (Janet) Nabers; one sister, Theda Brown; and a host
of nieces, nephews, and relatives; and
WHEREAS, the success of our state, the strength of our communities, and the overall
vitality of American society depend, in great measure, upon men like Ernest Nabers Jr.; and
WHEREAS, although the death of Ernest Nabers Jr. has left a tremendous void in
the community and in the lives of his family, friends, students, and players, this uniquely
gifted gentleman shall live forever in the minds, memories, and hearts of all who knew and
loved him.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the death of Ernest Nabers Jr.,
does hereby record for posterity his outstanding accomplishments and his singular
contributions, does hereby recognize the deep sense of pride and honor that this fine
individual will forever bring to Louisiana, and does hereby extend enduring appreciation for
the wonderful way in which he touched the lives of countless people in his community and
state.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Annie Laura Brown Nabers, the wife of Ernest Nabers Jr.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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