Mary Alice Taylor born January 2, 1929 passed away January 22, 2009 at Harbor Hospice House in Beaumont. A lifelong resident of Beaumont for the past eighty years, she was a 1946 graduate of French High School. After working many years as a library clerk with Averill and Dick Dowling schools, she retired from the Beaumont Independent School District. Mary Alice was also a charter member of Wesley United Methodist Church and a devout disciple of her Fidelis Sunday School class.
She married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, William Joseph “Billy Joe” Taylor in 1950. Mary Alice and Billy Joe were blessed with four adoring children, Jenny Taylor Bloss and her husband Richard of Bevil Oaks, W.G. “Bill Taylor and his wife Lynette of Beaumont, Doug Taylor and his wife Merrie Gay of Nederland, and Kit Taylor and his wife Pam of Lumberton. Also left with many loving memories are her younger brother, Alton “Cooter” Gray; many nieces, nephews and lifelong friends.
Although she will be greatly missed, “Meemaw” will forever remain in the hearts of her precious grandchildren, Ricky Bloss, Ryan Bloss, Allison Taylor, Ashley Taylor-McGalin and her husband Derrick, Hamilton Taylor, Merredith Taylor and Page Taylor and soon to be great granddaughter, Kynslee Grayce McGalin; step grandchildren, Kristopher Tapley, Kelli Hartman and her husband Richard; step great grandchildren, Krislynn Tapley and soon to be Owen Hartman.
Mary Alice was preceded in death by her husband of over forty years, Billy Joe Taylor; parents, Kit and Mittie Gray; sister, Hazel Ingram; brothers, Kit Gray, Jr., James Gray, Jack Gray and great granddaughter, Faith McGalin.
Now her family is left to cherish all the memories of many happy holidays, great beach weekends and her awesome home cooking.
Our comfort is that she is now dancing with her beloved Billy Joe in the presence of Our Lord and past family members and friends who have gone before her. Mary Alice was very blessed to have made such wonderful friendships throughout her life. Her family wishes to thank all who have prayed, visited, and cared for her, especially Shirley Brown, Melba Jenkins and Linda Patranella for always being there and all you’ve done for the Taylor family. We love and will never forget each and every one of you. Thanks also to Dr. Akhtar and his staff at Texas Oncology and Dr. Ahmad
Funeral service will be 2:00 P.M. Sunday, January 25, 2009 at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. A gathering of family and friends will be Saturday evening January 24, 2009 beginning at 5:00 P.M. at the mortuary.
Memorial contributions may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church, 3810 North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77713 or American Cancer Society, 755 South 11th Street, Suite 212, Beaumont, Texas 77701.
