Della Ruth (McGee) McNalley, 81, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, passed away on Friday, November 23, 2018 at Cedarwood Health Care Center in Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Colorado. She was under the care of Adobe Hospice, after struggling with a decade long illness.
Della was born to Mildred Lovon McDougal and Kelsie Gilbert McGee on February 6, 1937 in Cowlake, Jackson County, Arkansas. She married, Kenneth S. McNalley on December 27, 1956 in Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas.
Born in farm country, Della was reared in the hot sun… an actual “cotton-picker”. With dreams of a different life, after graduating from Beedeville High School, she relocated to Little Rock where she met and married a soldier, some fella that admired her in a movie theater. She was off to explore the world, where new adventures awaited. Various stations were in her future; Indiana, Oklahoma, London, until the final station in Colorado where her husband retired at Ent Air Force Base in Colorado Springs. She and her family made their residence in El Paso County, Colorado (Falcon and Colorado Springs), where she remained until her death.
She became a Christian in 1974 when baptized, along with her daughters Lyn and Carol, at Eastside Church of Christ in Colorado Springs, CO. Her love for the Lord strengthened as she felt God calling her home and she was embraced in the loving arms of many fellow Christians from Eastside during her final days, for which she was grateful.
Della was an avid reader, devouring each book as if it were her connection to great fantasies. As her health declined, she thoroughly enjoyed the Lifetime Network, ID Channel and Hallmark Channel, all whisking her away to journeys and escaping her pain. She also loved talking on the phone, hours on end.
Della is survived by siblings; Dan (Ann) McGee, Linda (Joal) DeFoor, Patricia (Norman) Miller, Sharon (Joe) Oehrli, Allen McGee and Kathy (Tom) Matthews. Also surviving are daughters; Lyn McNalley (Charlie) Hinkle, Carol McNalley and step daughter Gilda (Rob) Baxter. Four grandchildren; Nathan, Joshua, Kendra, David and 10 great grandchildren.
Della was preceded in death by husband Kenneth Sylvester McNalley 1931-1981 (retired Air Force), parents: Kelsie Gilbert McGee 1902-1987, Mildred Lovon McDougal-McGee 1919-2005 and sisters; Lovada May Dix 1923-2018 of Oregon, Edna Louise Dix 1925-2015 of Oregon, Hazel Marie Mahan 1927-2012 of Arkansas, Thelma Bernice Kemp 1930-2002 of Arkansas, Laura Lovon Hanley 1941-2014 of Arkansas. Step-sons: Kenneth McNalley Jr. 1951-2008 of Kansas, Paul McNalley 1955-2008 of Kansas and Wayne McNalley 1956-1986 of Kansas.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, December 8, 11 A.M. at Eastside Church of Christ (room #121) located at 5905 Flintridge Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80918 and officiated by Eddie White (Senior Minister).
My father and I attended Eastside Church of Christ around the same time Della and her daughters joined. Della was a most enthusiastic member who really enjoyed Bible study. There was a great sense of fellowship which Della created. Although I had lost touch over the decades, I feel the pain of her loss and will miss her and the old times. Condolences to her family and forever in our hearts.
Very beautiful tribute to a very beautiful woman. May she rest in the Peace of Christ forever and may her famiky and friends be comforted by Our Good Lord.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
God Bless.
A very beautiful tribute to your Mother. In 1980 I moved Colorado Springs and lived just down your street . I remember looking up our street and seeing your Mother standing out on her porch and looking at her yard. I meet you soon after and you have been a dear friend ever since. Whenever I would visit you
your Mom would have a dozen questions for me. I was interesting and fun to answer.
Memories can be very powerful and sad at the same time. My hope for you is that good and happy memories will fill your heart. Love you. Kit
God bless all the family it’s hard when someone you love departs this earth The good book says there is life after death with no more pain or suffering.
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