Mrs. Doris Lynn Naylor Steverson's Obituary
Doris Lynn Naylor Steverson was born September 30, 1953; the third child of the late Robert Naylor, Sr. and Rebecca Hopkins Naylor. She left this life for eternal rest on Friday, February 16, 2018. Doris was a professional accountant and a gifted musician, but the roles she most cherished were those of mother, grandmother, aunt, and music teacher. A devout student of the Bible, Doris entered the fellowship of Christ in 196i during a vacation school service at First Union Missionary Baptist Church under the Rev. Richard S. Porter Sr. She was baptized at New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church of Savoy under the pastorate of the Rev. Dr. Benjamin J. Hines. She was later an active member of St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church before jo_ining First Union, where she served for the remainder of her life. Doris studied piano with Mrs. Laura Inge, showing virtuosic abilities as a child. She was the student accompanist for the Carver Junior High School Choir under Mrs. Clara Thompson and the T.J. Harris High School/Junior College Choir under Mrs. Joyce Russell. She served as a musician for New Prospect, St. James, Mount Olive Baptist Church, and several other congregations. However, she served for more than 50 years as a musician and music director for First Union, starting when she was just n years old playing for the Youth Choir. Doris graduated with highest honors from Meridian High School in 1971. Just three years later, she graduated magna cum laude from Jackson State University -at only 20 years old -with a bachelor's degree in business administration and accounting. She later studied for the Master of Business Administration degree at Mississippi State University. She was a devoted member of Delta Nu Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. Doris was employed by Midland Federal Savings and Loan Association (which later merged with UniFirst Bank for Savings), becoming the first African American officer of a major financial institution in Meridian. She later was on the staff of Meridian High School, she was an accountant at Multi-County Community Services Agency, and she was a payroll and tax accountant for Quality Logistics Systems. She retired early after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. Doris loved music, and she shared this love with the congregations she served and with her students. Teaching piano was her passion. She leaves behind many friends and family members to preserve her legacy and cherish her memory. They include: • Her daughters Erin Steverson (Texarkana, Texas), and Apryl Steverson (Meridian); her much-beloved grandsons Tevrin Jackson and Ryan Steverson (both of Texarkana). • Her brothers Rev. Donald R. Naylor, Sr. and his wife Vivian (Meridian); Robert Naylor, Jr., (Jersey City, N.J.) and David E. Naylor, Sr., and his wife Christine (Meridian). • Her nieces and nephews Donald R. Naylor, Jr., and his wife Denise (Houston, Texas); Rev. Adrian B. Naylor (Birmingham, Alabama), Michele A. Naylor (Birmingham); Khaleah M. Naylor (Jackson); Courtney Bourrage and his wife Lyntressa (Meridian); David E. Naylor, Jr. (Meridian); and Tony D. Collins (Houston, Texas). • Her great nephews Joshua D. Collins (Jackson, Miss.); Donald B. Naylor and Douglas B. Naylor (both of Houston, Texas); and Courtney Bourrage II, Caleb Bourrage, Juwaan Leflore and Maya Leflore (Meridian, MS). • Her former husband and lifelong friend, Booker L. Steverson, many cousins and friends, members of her First Union Family and the sisters of Zeta Phi Beta. Her sister and best friend, Emily Naylor Hearn, entered eternal rest in April of 2015. Her eldest niece, Tracey Naylor-Collins, joined them on February 17, 2018.
What’s your fondest memory of Doris?
What’s a lesson you learned from Doris?
Share a story where Doris' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Doris you’ll never forget.
How did Doris make you smile?
