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 fiancé 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 Lacy

Kyle Wright Lacy

Alexandrea Nicole Beatty

Kathryn Michiko Beatty

Noah Patrick Ward

Rudy June Naylor

GREAT GREAT CHILDREN: Cutter Bryan Lacy

Creed Asher Lacy

Rhaiden Kai Shephard

PRECEDED IN DEATH BY

HUSBAND: James Colburn Naylor

PARENTS: Thea Hunter and Cloie Dunn Bonner

SISTERS: Betty Jo Bonner Burney

Freda Mae "Fred" Bonner Walker

MOTHER-IN-LAW: Anna Mae McCord Naylor

FATHER-IN-LAW: James Bradshaw Naylor

BROTHERS-IN-LAW: Overton Love "Pete" Burney

Donald James "Red" Walker

SISTER-IN-LAW: Margaret Ann Naylor

SONS-IN-LAW: David Wright Lacy

Imad Said Rifai

DAUGHTERS-IN-LAW: Janice Ann Brooks Naylor

Janice Kaye Descans Lack

GRANDSON:  Gary Cole

DATE 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

CONDOLENCES MAY BE SENT TO THE FAMILY BY EMAIL TO: BROWNSFSCOALGATE@SBCGLOBAL.NET.  PLEASE REFERENCE THE NAME OF THE DECEASED IN YOUR CORRESPONDENCE. FAMILY NIGHT 6~8 PM SAT. 24TH.

SERVICES UNDER THE DIRECTION OF

BROWN'S FUNERAL SERVICE - COALGATE, OK