Nathaniel Eugene Nealy

March 14, 1955 ~ January 30, 2025
Born in:
Dallas, Texas
Resided in:
Marietta, Texas
Nathaniel Nealy, 69, of Naples, Texas, passed away at his home on January 30, 2025. He was known to everyone as “Nay” He dedicated 34 years of his life to working at Children’s Hospital, retiring in 2016. Known affectionally as “Mr. Nay” to the children he cared for, Nay had a special gift with children. Every child who met him adored him, and he never hesitated to join in on their fun, sometimes even pushing the adults aside to do so. It may have amused or even annoyed the grown-ups, but to the kids, whether they were his nieces, nephews, grandkids, or just children he encountered, he was pure joy.
News of his passing deeply touched the community, where people knew their children would be heartbroken. Mr. Nay had watched so many of them grow up and loved each of them as his own.
Beyond his work and his love for children, Nay was passionate about coaching football. He also found great happiness in celebrating his family’s milestones. He was able to see his nephew Darion marry Aubree and just nine days before his passing, welcomed his new sister-in-law, Barbara, into the family. He was so excited that day, telling everyone, “This isn’t about me—it’s about my new sister-in-law.”
Nay was preceded in death by his parents, Nathaniel Libby Nealy and Eulah C. Bonner; his brother, Joel Nealy; and his niece, Coriana Nealy.
He is survived by his daughter, Vanessa Nealy; his son, Cedric Thomas, Sr.; his brothers, Eric Nealy (wife Barbara), Robert Nealy, Billy Nealy (wife Estella), and Preston Ellis; his sisters, Joyce Nealy, Wanda Wilkins, Nyoke “Nikki” Nealy, and Bianca Nealy; his grandchildren, Cedric Thoman, Jr. and Faith Thomas; along with nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, nephews, Darion and Aubree, Jaydn, Korbyn, Adam, Phelan and, Joel, Johnathan, Paul, Paul, Jerell, Wesley, Lesley, Presley, Craignal; nieces, Kaylynn, Mikayla, Azlyn, Keturah, Gabrielle, Meaghan, and Nadia; great nieces and nephews, Aryana, Heavyn, Jaqualin, Bryson, Isaiah, Elias; and numerous extended family, and cherished friends who will forever hold his memory in their hearts.
A celebration of Nathaniel’s life will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Reeder-Davis Chapel in Hughes Springs, Texas.
Services
Funeral Ceremony: February 15, 2025 5:00 pm
Reeder-Davis Funeral Home - Hughes Springs
1213 Hanes Blvd. South
Hughes Springs, Texas 75656
(903) 639-2585
https://www.reeder-davis.com/
Sending my condolences. You will be missed.
I met Nate while working at Childrens Medical Center. What a kind, wonderful man. Rest in heavenly peace Nate.