Nathaniel holmes was born on December 7, 1941 in Cleveland, Ohio to Earnest and Corene Holmes. He had three siblings, Lorenzo, Gwendolyn and Carl. Nathaniel was educated in the Cleveland Public Schools and converted to Islam at an early age. He worked as an asphalt contractor in the family business. Nathaniel was preceded in death by his parents, Earnest and Corene; and one brother, Lorenzo. Nathaniel leaves to cherish his memory one sister, Gwendolyn; one brother, Carl; two nieces, Cassandra and Jullion; four nephews, Carl Jr, Terry, Terrell and Travis.