On Saturday, Feb. 29, more than 100 family and friends turned out for the unveiling of a new headstone for rapper, singer, songwriter and actor Nate Dogg at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Long Beach.

The Long Beach native’s family got the first glimpse of the headstone on Friday and thought it was beautiful.

“It is a work of art, to say the least,” said Pamela Hale, Nate Dogg’s sister. “The design captures every part of who my brother was, his music, his city, his style – even his military service.”

Family and friends gathered for the unveiling of a new headstone honoring the life of Nathaniel Hale, otherwise known as Nate Dogg, at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Long Beach on Saturday, February 29, 2020. The headstone was designed by Tim Morris otherwise known as Cemetery Tim. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

Family and friends gathered for the unveiling of a new headstone honoring the life of Nathaniel Hale, otherwise known as Nate Dogg, at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Long Beach on Saturday, February 29, 2020. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

Family and friends gathered for the unveiling of a new headstone honoring the life of Nathaniel Hale, otherwise known as Nate Dogg, at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Long Beach on Saturday, February 29, 2020. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

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Ruth Holmes shares a few words about her son Nathaniel Hale, otherwise known as Nate Dogg as family and friends gathered for the unveiling of a new headstone at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Long Beach on Saturday, February 29, 2020. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)



Nate Dogg was born Nathaniel Dwayne Hale on Aug. 19, 1969 in Long Beach. His family moved to Mississippi and and then back to Long Beach at age 14 where he sang alongside his family at the New Hope Baptist Church.

After serving three years as a Marine overseas, he returned home and formed the Long Beach-based rap trio, 213, with his cousin Snoop Dogg and longtime friend Warren G. All three friends found success in the music industry; Nate Dogg was nominated for a Grammy four times.

Nate Dogg’s career was cut short in 2007 when he suffered a stroke. While in recovery less than a year later he suffered a second stroke and eventually died due to complications in 2011.

The rapper remains loved and admired by many in the community and music industry. Last month, Nate Dogg’s posthumous vocals were used on an Anderson Park album that won a Best R&B Grammy.

On Saturday, Pamela Hale recalled the great talent of her little brother, whom she called Buddy.

“A great deal of who my brother was, is in his music and to be able to turn on a radio and still hear his voice is a blessing,” she said. “His is missed by so many and the music world lost a gift. But his legacy will continue in his music. It’s an honor to call a great talent my little brother.”

The new marker was created by Tim Morris, known on social media as Cemetery Tim.

Morris began creating unique markers six years ago in his home state of Washington. He has a passion for helping families memorialize their loved ones. He has designed headstones for Easy E from NWA and Lisa Left Eye Lopes from TLC.

To see more of Morris’s work, head to cemeterytim.com.