Steptoe WAYCROSS — Naomi “Ellen” Gregory Steptoe, 78, of Waycross, passed away peacefully Wednesday, January 15, 2025 surrounded by family at Memorial Health Medical Center in Savannah following a sudden illness.
Mrs. Steptoe was born January 11, 1947, in Coffee County to the late Charles Jason Gregory and Lennie Mae Carter Gregory. She married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Gerald “Wayne” Steptoe, May 30, 1964.
Mrs. Steptoe retired after 34 years of dedicated service with the Nutrition Department of the Ware County School System where she was beloved by generations of students.
She was an active member of Deenwood Baptist Church and faithfully served in numerous capacities, including Sunday School teacher, nursery worker, meal preparations, Vacation Bible School and benevolence committee. Mrs. Steptoe enjoyed gardening and maintained beautiful plants. She was an avid reader and was well known in Waycross for her cooking and baking skills.
Mrs. Steptoe loved her family and created a loving home for everyone to gather and enjoy each other. She enjoyed camping and spending time with her family outdoors.
Mrs. Steptoe was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Jason Gregory and Lennie Mae Carter Gregory; brothers, LeLand Gregory and Floyd Gregory; sisters, Marie Gregory Whitaker, Martha Gregory Teston and Rosa Lee Gregory; and son, David Steptoe.
She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Gerald Wayne Steptoe; brothers, Jason Gregory (Maxine) and George Gregory (Janice); sisters, Bess Cline (Bob) and Lillie Mae Peacock (Jimmy); daughters, Laura Steptoe Pik and Lisa Steptoe Smoak (Steve Bennett); son, Wade Steptoe (Holly); daughter-in-law, Danielle Steptoe; grandchildren, Miles Gaultney, Matthew Gaultney (Hillary), Haley Steptoe Cronic (Josh), Hannah Steptoe Weeks (Zack), Evan Smoak, Justin Schuman (Ashton), Anna Schuman Spires (Zack) and Matthew Schuman; great grandchildren, Gideon Cronic, Knox Cronic, Lucy Ellen Cronic, Ellie Kay Schuman and Birdie Schuman; her faithful kitty companion, SallyGirl Steptoe; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral service was held Monday, January 20 at Deenwood Baptist Church. Interment was at Greenlawn Cemetery.
Music Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
