She moved to Lebanon from Nashville after retiring from the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools in 1985. She was a graduate of Maryville College where she received her Bachelor’s degree in High School Education.
She taught school at Goodlettsville High for several years, and after having 8 wonderful children, began teaching in the Metro Nashville Schools. She taught at Dalewood, Jere Baxter, Lockeland, and Kirkpatrick Elementary. She taught special education classes for special needs children and in her last 2 years was Principal at Lockeland and Kirkpatrick Elementary.
Mary Ruth was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, and had raised her family in Inglewood Methodist Church in Nashville. At Grace UMC, she was an active member of the Bible Seekers Class, Ruth Circle, and Young at Heart.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, George W. Naylor II; 2 younger sisters, Doris Hayes and Esther Thompson; older brother, Buddy Baker, and grandson, George W. Naylor IV.
Mary Ruth is survived by her 8 children, George W. Naylor III and his wife, Kathy, Walter Naylor and his wife, Cinda, Steve Naylor and his wife, Susie, Nancy King and her husband, Bob, Linda Cagle and her husband, Terry, Bobby Naylor and his wife, Sharon, Bettye Naylor, and Bill Naylor and his wife, Sonya; 12 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
The family of Mary Ruth Naylor will be receiving family and friends at Grace United Methodist Church on Monday, March 26 from 4:00 until 8:00 pm, and also on Tuesday, March 27 from 10:00 until 11:00 am, one hour before the services.
Funeral services will be at Grace United Methodist Church on Tuesday, March 27 at 11:00 am with Pastor Jeff Streszoff officiating.
Interment will immediately follow the services at Hermitage Memorial Gardens.
Serving as active pallbearers are grandsons: David Naylor, Tyler Naylor, Steven Williams, Chris Williams, Rick Naylor, and Brock Bates.
Serving as honorary pallbearers are members of the Bible Seekers Class: Rena Bass, Randolph Wilson, S.R. Daniels, Shirley Jaskolka, Jackson Zumbro, and David Devine.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Mary Ruth to Grace United Methodist Church Building Fund, 2905 North Mount Juliet Road, Mount Juliet, Tennessee 37122, or Alive Hospice, 1710 Patterson Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37203.
