Nathan Whitt Taber

Nathan Whitt Taber passed away at his residence in Brentwood, Tennessee on Jan. 10, 2023. Whitt was born Feb. 28, 1974 in Guntersville, Alabama to Robert Stephen and LaCena D. Taber. Whitt was a member of Warrenton Methodist Church of Guntersville. Whitt graduated from Guntersville High School in 1992 where he played #1 on the tennis team. After graduation, he received a tennis scholarship to Snead and then two years later another tennis scholarship to UAH where he also played #1. In his two years UAH Whitt racked up over 80 wins in singles and doubles. The love of the game of tennis became a career. After graduating in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from UAH, Whitt was hired as head coach of the UAH Chargers. In 1999, as head coach he led the men’s team to their first ever bid to the NCAA Team Championships, and a top 30 ITA final national ranking. During his stint at UAH, Whitt was also the tennis professional at Hampton Cove Racquet Club. Whitt then carried that success on to the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. In 2000, as Assistant Coach with Head Coach Jeff Clark, he helped lead the Mocs Men’s Tennis Team to a Southern Conference Tournament Championship. That team also received the University’s first-ever bid to the NCAA Division I Team Championships. During his coaching years, Whitt also worked with John Shackleford as Director of Junior and Adult Summer Tennis Camps at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. Whitt’s goal of coaching in the SEC was realized the next year when he was hired as Assistant Women’s Tennis coach at Ole Miss. He coached at Ole Miss for nine years, traveling to major tournaments including Wimbledon and US Open recruiting top ranked juniors. In 2005, Whitt’s and Mark Beyers’ Ole Miss Rebels won the first ever SEC Western Division Championship. Their teams earned the ITA All-Academic Team Award. Whitt coached 19 all-conference players, two All- Americans, two conference sportsmanship award winners and 21 ITA Scholar Athletes, all before reaching the age of 30. Whitt was quoted in an article at Ole Miss saying “I want every student athlete to leave Ole Miss a better person, not just a better tennis player.” After leaving college coaching, Whitt moved to Nashville and worked a short time for Edward Jones as a financial advisor. He then began working in the insurance field. However, coaching was still in his blood, so he also continued working with the youth tennis program at Maryland Farms YMCA in Brentwood, Tennessee. While in Nashville, Whitt became committed to charitable work in the Music City Tennis Invitational supporting the Breast Cancer Coalition. Whitt touched many lives in his short time on Earth, whether it was convincing you that U2 was far more than just a band but cultural and political icons, teaching you how to pronate your wrist for a more powerful serve, or explaining every aspect of how the Yankees will win the Pennant and how much he and his dad loved them. We pray each of your hold tight to your fond memories of NWT and keep his family in your thoughts and prayers. Whitt is survived by his mother-LaCena Douglas Taber, sister-Emily Taber Barnhouse (Greg), niece-Chloe Addison Barnhouse, nephew-Stephen Cooper Barnhouse, Uncle and Aunt- Harry and Nettie Douglas, cousins- Amanda Caryl and Lesley Lang, and a host of tennis friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Stephen Taber, grandparents Robert Burns (Bob) and Polly Taber, Imogene and Oscar Douglas, and his bestest boy- JoJo. A visitation will be held January 21 st 6:00pm-8:00pm at Guntersville Memorial Chapel. A funeral service will be held at Warrenton Methodist Church January 22 nd at 2:00pm. The family requests in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Tennessee Breast Cancer Coalition www.tbcc.org or Warrenton Methodist Church 102 Warrenton Shores Drive, Guntersville, Al 35976 In lieu of flowers the family suggest donations be made to Warrenton Methodist Church or the Tennessee Breast Cancer Coalition www.tbcc.org 106 Mission Court Suite 602 Franklin TN, 37067 1-615-377-8777

Nathan Whitt Taber

February 28, 1974 - January 10, 2023