Violet M Taylor's Obituary
Violet M Taylor, 88, of Robinson, IL, formerly of Decatur, IL, passed away and went to be with her lord and savior on December 12, 2023.
Violet was born December 13, 1934, in Decatur, IL, the daughter of Roy Robert and Vanita (Reedy) Ford. She married Harlin B Taylor, March 3, 1958, in Decatur, IL. They were married for 52 years.
She retired after 23 ½ years of service as Secretary to the Director of Special Education. She had been a former member of Life Four Square Christian Church in Decatur, IL and recently had been attending Porterville Christian Church in Eaton, IL. In her early years, Violet was a Sunday School teacher, and she loved to sing at any church in the area with her brother Ronnie, Harlin, and friends. They would also hold weekly church services at the Macon County Jail.
She served as Decatur Council PTA President for three terms. In 1982, Violet received the Honorary Life Membership in the National Congress of Parents and Teachers. She volunteered for Boy Scouts and was Brownie Scout Leader. She was a co-founder of Decatur Genealogical Society along with her mother and brother in 1964, which had become one of her favorite hobbies. This was the oldest organized genealogical society in the state of Illinois. She took pride in researching, compiling, typing, and printing over 100 quarterlies and special publications. Violet was an avid history collector of both her and her husband's sides of the family. She complied and printed a number of cookbooks for family, friends, and organizations.
She also enjoyed spending time with her family, singing, and collecting business cards, barns and snow globes. She loved planning and attending multiple family reunions. Violet loved to talk, as she knew no stranger. Harlin and Violet had a "Tombstone Project" repairing, replacing, and purchasing almost 25 family member's tombstones. Violet will be remembered as a sweet lady and mini-philanthropist. She believed in sharing what God had given with others in need, whether it be money or other material blessings.
Surviving are her children, Dawn Woolverton (Myron) of Robinson, IL, Larry Taylor (Denine) of Decatur, IL, Gary Taylor (Lisa) of Decatur, IL; 2 half-sisters, Jayne Wright-Allison of Missouri, Connie Salzman of Nevada; grandchildren, Andrew Cox, Ryan Cox, Evan Shuff, Rendi Shuff (Jacob Gerritsen), Avery Shuff (Reili), Ashley Koch (Kraig), Ben Taylor (Erica), Kyleigh Taylor, Stacy Pajak (Mike), Phillip Burrous (Bianca), Kelley Smith (David), Justin Taylor; several great grandchildren, a special niece, Brenda Ford Mason, and a special caregiver Vonda Bledsoe
Preceding in death are her parents; husband, Harlin; brothers, Roy “Gene” Ford, Ronald Ford; great grandson, David Smith and nephew, Brent Ford.
Funeral service will be 11:00 AM Saturday, December 23, 2023, at Graceland Fairlawn Funeral Home. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services.
Burial will be at Arthur Cemetery, Arthur, IL.
Memorials: Donor’s choice.
Condolences may be left to Violet’s family at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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