Naomi Neeley Kirtley., more affectionately known as “NaNa”, was born on November 20, 1934 in Waco, Texas to the late Chester A. Neeley. and Lucy Carrie Wilkes Neeley. She was the Youngest of thirteen born to this union. She is preceded in death by her parents and oldest son Sherman Kelly Butler II and stepdaughter Gaynell Kirtley and leaves behind her son John F. Kirtley and a small host of grandchildren.
Naomi attended and graduated from Oakland Technical High School in Oakland. She continued her education at Laney College where she met her first husband Sherman Kelley Butler Sr.
Naomi then went on to work for Kaiser Permanente Hospital as a medical records librarian where she worked at for some years until an unfortunate accident at work caused her to retire early in her career.
Naomi’s first marriage to Sherman K Butler Sr, brought a son Sherman Butler II into the world, who also preceded her in death. Her second marriage to Leonard Kirtley Jr, brought a son, John, into the world as well as her stepdaughter Gaynell which who proceed them in death.
Naomi was an avid and passionate Mother of her family as well as a caregiver of many in her family and outside her family as well. She held positions in the Eastern Stars organization as well as Volunteered with the Cancer Foundation of Las Vegas, Nevada, as she was also a Breast Cancer survivor. Na Na as she was passionately called by all, was a leader in her community and always loved the opportunity to help raise young children while their parents worked in their busy lives. Three children that stands out the most were Cousin Paige, where Naomi lived with my cousin Donna Pulliam in Anaheim Hills, California for some years. The other two were Chelsa and Caity.
Her greatest accomplishment, however, besides marrying Sherman and Leonard, was raising her two boy’s Sherman and John John. Naomi raised them to be strong men and respectful to all as well as to understand how strong their last names were and to leave a legacy to be remembered.
Naomi Neeley Kirtley is survived by her son, John F. Kirtley (son), Desiree L. Kirtley (daughter in law), Jovon Kirtley, and Damone Kirtley, Fitzgerald Butler, (grandson’s)Armani Butler,(granddaughter) and a host of family, and friends.
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