Verla Kay Naylor

Verla Kay Naylor, 86, of Cozad, Nebraska, passed away Wednesday, August 24, 2023 at home with sons Steve and Stan by her side. She was born October 31, 1936 in Cozad, Nebraska to Frank Lynn and Frances Ada (Newhouse) Hemphill, the youngest of seven children. She was baptized May 18, 1956, at the First United Methodist Church of Cozad. Kay was united in marriage to Garlyn Ross (Bud) Naylor at Callaway, Nebraska, December 7, 1952, (On Pearl Harbor Day). To this union three children were born: Steven Glen, Stanley Ross and Tamara Sue. Together the couple raised their family and lived in the Cozad community their entire life. As a young child she took joy in being a Baton Majorette and also playing the clarinet, drums and bassoon in the band. Kay had passion for adventure, fun and had an amazing work ethic. She was given an opportunity to join the grocery store business in Cozad owned by Nash Finch, (old Jack and Jill Food Store) as a store clerk and bookkeeper for most of her career. She then went on to work at Evans Bakery where she decorated cakes, which she truly loved doing. She then went back into the grocery store business and joined the team at Sonny's Super Foods where she retired. Kay was a very active mom, wife and grandmother and enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, watching them in all their sporting events and school activities. She had numerous activities she enjoyed from water skiing, lake life, reading a good book, crocheting, cross stitching, playing pinochle, gambling, dancing, bowling and cake decorating. She was involved in the Cozad Does 177, and served a term as President. Kay also enjoyed spending time at the Cozad Grand Generation Center, volunteering at the Thrift store and belonging to the Red Hatters Society. Verla was preceded in death by her parents and step-father-father, August Hueftle; husband Garlyn; daughter, Tamara Lemmon; great-grandson, Thorne Phillips; siblings: Annie Tucker, Pauline Coover, Clara Lantz, Doyle Hemphill, Dale Hemphill and Wayne Hemphill. She is survived by her sons, Steve (Barbara) Naylor; Stanley Naylor both of Cozad; son-in-law, Rick Lemmon of Cozad; special friend of 20 years, Glen Koch of North Platte; grandchildren, Sandra (Ty) Phillips of Kearney, NE; Carrie (Dustin) Ludeke of Oxford, NE; Bryan Naylor, Kevin Lemmon of Cozad; five great-grandchildren: Stone Phillips of Kearney; Cole Norris of Oxford; Saffron Phillips (fiance Chase Middleswart) of Kearney; Carlyn and Collin Stephen of Oxford; Kelby Ludeke of Oxford, and great-grandson, Thorn Bliss-Norris of Lincoln, NE; soon to be great-great-granddaughter, Mabree Jean Middleswart, arriving in December.

Memorials are suggested to Children Hospital of Omaha. Kay's wishes were to be cremated. A memorial service will be held Monday, August 28, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at the Cozad United Methodist Church with Pastor Billarmee Milosi officiating. Those wishing to sign the memorial book may do so on Sunday, August 27, 2023 from 5-7 p.m., with family present, at Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad.