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Theda Bonner Naylor, a Coalgate resident, was born on August 28, 1921, to Thea Hunter Bonner and Cloie Dunn Bonner, at Daisy, OK. Theda passed away on September 19, 2023 in her home at Coalgate, OK at the age of 102 years and 22 days, surrounded by her children and loved ones. She attended Coalgate schools and graduated from Coalgate High School in 1939. She attended one year at East Central University, studying elementary education, and married James Colburn Naylor on February 3, 1940 in Caddo, OK. In the early years, she was a homemaker and supported James in his business as an independent truck driver. Naylor Trucking employed many local drivers during the Great Depression of the 1940s. James and Theda had three children, Dene in 1941, Jimmy in 1944, and D'Ann in 1961 and were married for 54 years until his passing on January 6, 1994. Theda was a member of the First Baptist Church of Coalgate was recently recognized as one of the longest standing members. Theda volunteered to work as one of the inaugural employees to entice the Blue Bell company to establish a manufacturing facility for Wrangler jeans in 1957. Theda worked as a principal's assistant and teacher's aide at Cottonwood Elementary School, teaching English to native Choctaw speakers, penmanship. and art. She dearly loved her "Cottonwood kids" and had a soft heart for all children and animals. She was an author, artist, poet, seamstress, cook, and loving and kind mother, grandmother, cousin, aunt and friend.
SURVIVED BY
DAUGHTERS: Dene Naylor Lacy
D'Ann Naylor Rifai and fiance Glenn Skelton
SON: James Robert "Jimmy" Naylor and wife Rita
GRANDCHILDREN: David Bryan Lacy and wife Cyndi
Lesa Renee Naylor Beatty
Jay Michael Naylor and wife Emily
Adrienne Cole Cox and husband Jeff
Troy Cole
GREAT GRANDCHILDREN:
Bryan Cody LacyGREAT GREAT CHILDREN:
Cutter Bryan LacyPRECEDED IN DEATH BY
HUSBAND: James Colburn NaylorDAUGHTERS-IN-LAW:
Janice Ann Brooks NaylorDATE OF SERVICES: 2:00 PM Sunday, September 24th, 2023
PLACE OF SERVICES: Coalgate First Baptist Church, Coalgate, Oklahoma
OFFICIATING: Jim Cox & Bill Sluder
INTERMENT: Coalgate Cemetery
CASKETBEARERS: Bryan Cody Lacy, Kyle Wright Lacy, Glenn Stewart Skelton, Jay Colburt Faudree, Clayton Ray Mahaffey, Lucas Clay Mahaffey