Mrs. Emily Naylor Hearn's Obituary
Emily Naylor Hearn was a much-loved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. An ordained Baptist minister, she was a student of the Bible and Baptist doctrine. She was a gifted musician, but her proudest achievement was being a mother and grandmother. Emily was born December 15, 1949 in Meridian, Mississippi; the first child of Mr. Robert Naylor, Sr., and Mrs. Rebecca Hopkins Naylor. She left this life for eternal rest on Sunday April 5, 2015. She entered the fellowship of New Prospect Baptist Church of Savoy in 1958 under the pastorate of the Rev. Dr. Benjamin J. Hines. She began playing the organ there -her first position as a church musician -in August 1965. She later was a member of First Union Baptist Church and St. John Baptist Church. Emily studied piano with Mrs. Laura Inge and organ from Mr. Jimmy Ball. She sang under Mrs. Clara Thompson and Mr. Floyd A. Hearns. She attended Meridian Community College and graduated from Jackson State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. She later studied music education at Livingston University (now the University of West Alabama). At Jackson State, she was the accompanist for the Interfaith Choir. Emily was employed as a laboratory technician for the Mississippi State Hospital at Whitfield, and as an operator by Bell South. She also taught music in the Meridian Public Schools. Emily shared her love of church music with others around the country. She served as organist for St. John, First Union, Mount Olive, Mount Zion, Brown Ridge and the Meridian Naval Air Station. She was a founding member of the gospel ensemble Jubilation! In Jackson she was one of the first musicians for the acclaimed Greater Mount Calvary Radio Choir and she served several other congregations. In Birmingham, she was minister of music and organist for Lilly Baptist Church until her health failed. Emily was the musician for the Second New Hope Congress of Christian Education and East Mississippi Baptist State Convention. She was a founder and national representative of the Mississippi Magnolia Chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America. She sang with the Mississippi Mass Choir. She was music director for the Southwest Region Young People's Department of the National Baptist Convention USA. She was also a member of the music staff of the Women's Division of the National Baptist Convention. She leaves behind to preserve and cherish her memory: Her daughters Tracey Naylor-Collins (Houston, Texas), and Michele A. Naylor (Birmingham, Alabama); her son-in-law, Tony D. Collins (Houston, Texas); and grandson; Joshua D. Collins (Jackson State University). Her siblings Doris Steverson (Meridian); Rev. Donald R. Naylor, Sr. and his wife Vivian (Meridian); David E. Naylor, Sr., and his wife Christine (Meridian); and Robert Naylor, Jr., (Jersey City, N.J.). Her nieces and nephews Donald R. Naylor, Jr., and his wife Denise (Houston, Texas); Khaleah M. Naylor (Jackson); Adrian B. Naylor and his wife Consuella; Erin Steverson; Apryl Steverson; Courtney Bourrage and his wife Lyntressa; and David E. Naylor, Jr. all of Meridian. Her great nephews, Tevrin Jackson, Ryan Steverson, Courtney Bourrage, Jr., and Caleb Bourrage (all of Meridian); and Donald B. Naylor (Houston). Her godchildren, Elijah Wilson and Kreshetta Smiley of Birmingham. Her beloved Aunt Bessie K. Hopkins of Meridian. Many cousins and friends, including her best friend Dorothy Collins of Birmingham.
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