Dr. James L. Naylor, Jr.

Dr. James L. Naylor, Jr., 96, of Albany, GA, died August 4, 2023 at Wynfield Park and Rehabilitation Center.  Funeral services will be held Monday August, 7, 2023 at 2:00 pm at Mathews Funeral Home.  Rev. Rodney Rector will officiate.  Interment will follow in Floral Memory Gardens Cemetery with Military Honors.

Dr. Naylor was born in Albany, GA on July 24, 1927 to James L. and Mary L. Naylor.  He spent most of his life in Albany, GA, but graduated from Dixie County High School in Old Town, FL.  He served in the United States Navy during World War II and was the Lay Chaplain on the USS Tweedy (destroyer escort).

He married Elizabeth Shirah on April 6, 1947 and four children were born to their union. He served as the chaplain for the Downtown Civic Club in 1950 in Lakeland, FL and joined Gideons International in Albany, GA in 1960.  Dr. Naylor was ordained at the Southern Baptist Association Convention in 1980 and received his Doctorate of Theology from The International Bible School and Seminary in Orlando, FL in 1981.

Dr. Naylor served the Moderator for the Tucker Baptist Association in Camilla, GA from 1983 to 1984 and President of the Pastor’s Fellowship of the Fairburn Baptist Association in 1987.  During his career, he served as Pastor of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Ochlocknee Baptist Church, Sale City Baptist Church and others. He served as the Moderator of the Bowen Baptist Association in Bainbridge, GA from 1990-1991 and was director of the Bowen Senior Adults.  Dr. Naylor was a member of Gillionville Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Elizabeth “Liz” Naylor of Albany, GA, his children, Gayle (Tim) Turner of Dallas, TX, Debbie (Butch) Dollar of Nacogdoches, TX, Jackie (Mark) Keller of Dallas, TX, and Jimmy (Jennifer) Naylor III of Albany, GA and, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends Monday from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm at Mathews Funeral Home.

Those desiring may make memorials in memory of Dr. Naylor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.