Mary Lou Taylor

1. Mary Lou Taylor, 94, rose victoriously from this life to her eternal one with her Saviour, Jesus Christ, on January 27, 2024, after a life of love and service. Born March 23, 1929, to John and Elsie Dunaway in Oklahoma City, Mary Lou grew up with her older brother, John Dunaway, Jr. The family moved to Oden, Arkansas, where Mary Lou graduated from high school. She attended Hendersonville State Teacher’s College in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, until she married the love of her life, R. C. Taylor, on June 5, 1949. The couple moved to Amarillo, TX and shortly thereafter were transferred to Hobbs, New Mexico, where daughter, Pamela, was born. Another work-related move brought them to Lubbock, where a son, Rod, arrived. The family has lived in Lubbock primarily ever since and celebrated 74 years of marriage in 2023.

Mary Lou was passionate about children’s ministries in her church for many years. She also visited many public and private schools with a group of ladies who told the Christmas and Easter stories with flannel graph illustrations. Her lovely soprano voice was heard often in solos and choirs. Discovering the need for consistent and effective ministry to the elderly shut-ins within her church, Mary Lou started one and continued her weekly visits with each shut-in for many years. An avid seamstress and cook, especially of pies, Mary Lou delighted in serving her family and many friends. She had a fierce bond with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, John Dunaway, Jr., of Little Rock, Arkansas; close cousins, Virginia Speegle and Venita Knight of Oklahoma City, and Peggy Cioccio of Shawnee, Oklahoma, and niece, Sheila Bathke of Atkins, Arkansas.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, RC of Lubbock; children, Pamela New and husband Warren of Denver City, Texas, son, Rod and wife Patty of Cimarron, New Mexico; grandchildren, Jonathan and Andrea New of Lubbock, Mason Taylor and wife Dr. Martha Taylor of Kimberly, Idaho, Ry Taylor and wife Amanda of Taos, New Mexico; and great-grandchildren, Colton and Wyatt Taylor of Kimberly, Idaho; four nephews, Bill, John, Charles, and Robert Dunaway, five nieces, Myra Caton, Margaret White, Mary Smylie, Patricia Baldwin, and Janice Seikel, and all of Arkansas.

Memorials may be made to the children’s ministry of LakeRidge Baptist Church, 4601 – 82^nd Street, Lubbock, Texas, 79424, Child Evangelism Fellowship at 806-620-6675, or the charity of your choice.

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