Edith Marie Taylor

Edith Taylor, 89, of Unionville, MO, went to be with her Lord on Saturday, July 6, 2013. She had been recently living at the Putnam County Care Center, having moved from Bristol Manor.

Edith Marie (McFarland) Taylor was born in rural Livonia, MO, on July 14, 1923, the youngest of 13 children born to William Jesse and Susie (Hogg) McFarland, who preceded her in death. She married Gerald “Jerry” E. Taylor in Unionville, MO, on April 24, 1945, and he preceded her in death on July 18, 1987. They were blessed with grandchildren Frank D. Gillespie III and Jade Gillespie Landgrebe, children of their adopted daughter Kim Gillespie who married their great nephew Gerald Gillespie.

Edith was employed by Hopkins Sporting Goods, Des Moines, IA, from 1961 until her retirement in 1985. She moved to rural Livonia in 1985.

Edith loved underprivileged children and she and her husband cared for many children from 1947 until his death in 1987. She continued being a foster parent after her husband’s death until she became a resident of Bristol Manor in 2007. Elvis Snyder was her last foster child and he visited Edith “Mom” frequently at her Bristol Manor apartment.

Edith loved her nieces and nephews as her own. She was brilliant and a cheerful lady and they loved to hear her tell stories about the family and to laugh with her. She will be missed by all of them.

In addition to her parents and husband, Edith was preceded in death by nine brothers: Earl (Nellie), Elmer “Todd” (Bea), Ailey, Dennis (Grace), Vane (Edna), Clarence (Nora), Paul (Mabel), Glen and Dee (Eva), and three sisters: Grace Michael (Omer), Mary Gillespie (Frank I), and Annabelle Lamberson (Wayne).

At her request, Edith’s body was cremated and a memorial graveside service will be held at the Rose Cemetery, east of Unionville, MO, and south of Graysville, MO, at 2:00 pm, Sunday, July 14, 2013.

Memorials are suggested to the Omaha Baptist Church building fund and may be entrusted with Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.