Brenda Lee Taylor of Rice, Texas was called home to be with the Lord on September 22, 2021, in Jonesboro, Arkansas, surrounded by the loving support of her family.
Born to Robert and Thelma Weathers on July 5, 1957, in Columbus, Ohio, she met and fell in love with Gaylon Taylor early in her life and they were married on December 24, 1975, in Duncanville, Texas.
Gaylon and Brenda welcomed a baby girl to the family in 1977. Brenda and her baby girl, Cristy, moved overseas to Schweinfurt, Germany to be with Gaylon on Deployment before returning to Texas in 1980, Upon arrival back in Texas they moved to Arlington then Duncanville prior to settling the family in Midlothian, Texas. They welcome a baby boy, Douglas, to the family in December of 1981.
Brenda and Gaylon resided in Midlothian for many years with Brenda working for the school district where she learned all about how you cook meat to the exact temperature to avoid being poisoned. It was this knowledge that she was able to reduce Doug’s pork chops from the hog he had smoked from 2 inches thick to maybe a ½ inch piece of shoe leather.
After retiring from the school district Brenda and Gaylon moved to Rice, Texas in March of 2002 in which they quickly became active members of the community. Brenda joined the Rice Volunteer Fire Department, participated annually in the Relay for Life, Joined the Cowboy Church on Ennis, and loved the annual Trunk or Treat event that the Fire Department holds each year. Brenda also came out of retirement to accept a job working for the Rice Independent School District where she enjoyed working with the children each day.
Brenda first and foremost loved Jesus and knew that she would see her beloved daddy when she departed this lifetime. She enjoyed her family and loved us each endlessly, loved all things crafty especially spray paint, and had a green thumb most of us see only on TV. Brenda lived with a passion for life, was kind at all times, and will be deeply missed by all who have ever known her.
Preceded in death by her father, Robert Weathers, and survived by her mother, Thelma Weathers of Dexter, Missouri; her husband of 45 ½ years Gaylon Taylor of Rice, Texas; her daughter Cristy Smiley and husband David of Port Aransas, Texas; her son Douglas Taylor and wife Bobbie Jo of Ferris, Texas; her siblings Robert, Ron, Teresa and Sheri all of Dexter, Missouri, seven grandchildren, one great grandchild, and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and many more family and friends.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Sunday, September 26, 2021, from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. A memorial service will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Sunday, September 26, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Gary Teel officiating.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
