Mary Wanda Taylor, 96

Graveside funeral services for Mary Wanda Taylor, 96, of Noble, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 4, 2024, in the Peters Cemetery near Noble with Brian York officiating. 

She died April 28, 2024, at her residence surrounded by family. She was born Jan. 18, 1928, in Verdon, Oklahoma, to Thomas Henry and Mary Wanda (Adams) Aker. On April 12, 1946, Mary married Marshall Taylor in Yuma, Arizona. They were married 71 years when Marshall died in 2017. She homesteaded in New Mexico before moving to Ozark County in 1973. The couple had six children. 

In her life, Mary had been a girl scout, a rancher, a wife and mother. She was a member of the Cowbells, a women’s group in the cattleman’s association. She sponsored 4H and FFA in national conventions. She also taught kids how to judge livestock in ag shows. She was a cattle baroness, breeding registered Charolais cattle and showed her stock at state fairs. She was a member of the Church of Christ all her life and was a Sunday school teacher for years.

She is survived by six children and their spouses: Ruth York and Randall of Squires, Elizabeth Harris and Larry of South Fork, Robert Taylor and Debbie of Birch Tree, Tom Taylor and Denise of Gainesville, Ben Taylor of Gainesville, Pat Taylor and Heide of Wasola; 22 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one sister; four brothers; two nephews; her parents-in-law; one brother-in-law; one granddaughter; and two great-granddaughters.

Memorial contributions may be made to Fair Haven Children's Home, 3132 N. Fair Haven Loop, Strafford, MO 65757. Arrangements are under the direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville.