Nov. 22, 1931 March 21, 2026
Heaven gained another angel in the early morning hours of March 21, 2026. Dorothye “Doty” Mayberry Naylor, 94, of Boerne, went home to Jesus while surrounded by her loving family. Our Doty will be incredibly missed. She was truly one of a kind, a friend to everyone and sharp as a tack until her final breath.
Doty was born on Nov. 22, 1931, in Royce City, Texas, the only child to her parents Christine Rebecca Muennink and Lester Luther Mayberry. She grew up in East Texas and went to Hondo High School. She graduated with a B.S. in Home Economics from Texas A&I Kingsville, where she was voted football sweetheart & homecoming queen. Afterwards she was an educator in Refugio County and served those communities in various roles.
On Nov. 17, 1955, she married Walter Edgar Naylor, a test fighter pilot in the Air Force, in San Marcos, Texas. They had three beautiful daughters together: Diana Jane, Lori Jean and Beka Lynn.
She had an infectious love for life and new adventures, traveling the world and making new friends all the way up to her final weeks. Even in her final years, she loved to learn, approaching everything with curiosity. Her smile could brighten anyone’s day and the genuine connections she made with people were long lasting. Doty was a force of nature as the true matriarch of her family. She was instrumental in the upbringing of her grandchildren, teaching them how to love, laugh and play cards. She had a deep love for playing bridge where her competitive spirit and keen mind made her legendary. Whether at the card table or in conversation, she brought joy, laughter and warmth that will carry on through generations.
Above all, Doty had a strong love for her Savior and was a faithful servant. She strived to glorify God in everything that she did, witnessing and instilling a strong faith in her family. She was a member at Bergheim Christian Fellowship and rarely missed a Sunday service. Her family is at peace knowing that she is sitting next to Jesus right now.
Doty was preceded in death by her husband Walter Edgar Naylor, parents Christine Rebecca Muennink and Lester Luther Mayberry, aunt Evelyn Robinson Haynes and son-inlaw John Randall Preston.
Left to cherish her memory are her loving daughters and son-in-laws, Diana Naylor Knox (Thomas), Lori Naylor Bellows (Dewey), and Beka Naylor Preston; her devoted grandchildren, Morgan Naylor Bellows Brown (Chris), Dewey Dowling Bellows III, John Benjamin Preston, Madison Naylor Preston Berger (Ryan), Jacqueline Naylor Knox, Catherine Naylor Knox, Victoria Leigh Knox, William Coburn Knox (Kelsay), and Kimberly Anne Knox (David); five precious great- grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews; as well as numerous family and friends that she held dear. The family wants to thank her beloved caregiver Diana Reddington, who cared for Doty for years.
A funeral service was held at the First Baptist Church of Refugio on March 27 at 3 p.m. There was a graveside service immediately following at Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Bayside, Texas.
A celebration of life will be held at the Knox Residence at 4 p.m. March 28 in Sisterdale, Texas. The family kindly requests that guests wear bright colors.
A life so beautifully lived leaves a lasting legacy in all that were lucky enough to know her.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Doty’s memory to her home church, Bergheim Christian Fellowship.
— PAID OBITUARY —
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