Katie McNealy Naylor, 80, was born in Sylacauga, Alabama, on April 1, 1931. She died on February 11, 2012, at her home surrounded by family.
Katie was preceded in death by her parents, James and Lucy McNealy; husband, Amos Naylor; son, Billy McNealy, Sr.; daughter, Deborah Lewis; brothers, Lonzey, Willie, Jimmy, and S.T. McNealy; and sister, Gladys Thompson.
As a child, Katie, along with the rest of her family, relocated to Chattanooga. During this time in her life, she accepted Christ as her Lord and personal Savior, joining Olivet Baptist Church.
While working in the domestic industry and in her neighborhood, she shared the good news of the Gospel. Her love for God and family was evident by raising her grandchildren and great grandson.
Katie is survived by her daughter, Diane (Bobby) Naylor-Watts of Chattanooga; daughter-in- law, Linda McNealy of Austin, Tx.; brother, Herman McNealy, and sister, Leler Ruth Blackmon, both of Chattanooga; sisters-in-law, Patsy Rollins of Suffolk, Va.; Georgia Guthrie of E. St. Louis, Il.; Ruby Rice and Dorothy Naylor, both of Chattanooga; grandchildren, Leslie Brown and Billy (Alison) McNealy, Jr., both of Austin, Tx.; Pa’Lata, La’Rinder, and Zapouria Lewis, all of Chattanooga; Charhonda Noble of Lithonia, Ga.; great-grandchildren, Pajshley, Justin, Marcineo, XGabriel, Isaiah, Diaquez, and Nautika Lewis, Zalandria Gearing, ReKayila McCorkle, all of Chattanooga; Madison Noble of Lithonia, Ga.; Donnell Allston, Bryce and Brenden McNealy all of Austin, Tx.; special cousin, James Woods of Chattanooga; godchildren, Rosalind (NeNe) Dunham, Kia Allen, Tammy Parks, Nell Hill all of Chattanooga; devoted friends, Raymond Stargin, Glenn Kelley, Erma Harris, Frank Usher, Helen Byers, Arthur Waller, Wilma McDowell and Danny Barnes all of Chattanooga; as well as a host of other family members and friends.
Services will be held on Friday, February 17, at noon at Olivet Baptist Church. Interment will be in National Cemetery.
The body will lie in state after noon on Thursday, February 16, with the family receiving friends from 6–7 p.m. at John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995.