Mrs. Barbara L. Taylor

Barbara Louise Taylor

Celebration of Life

1937 - 2024

Mrs. Barbara Louise Taylor was born January 12, 1937, in Coffeyville, Kansas to Tommie L. and Lee Etta Wilson.  She was the third child of seven children. Barbara spent her childhood being raised in Coffeyville until she relocated to Kansas City Missouri with her aunt Fernetta Bailey, at the age of 15. Here she met her next-door neighbor, best friend and future husband Mr. Olee Taylor. On March 17, 1957, Barbara and her life partner, Olee Taylor were married.  From this union they had two sons, Mr. Robert D. Taylor and Mr. Gregory E. Taylor. Shortly after marriage (in September of 1957), the family moved to Chicago Illinois for better employment opportunities.

There, as a high-spirited entrepreneur, Olee Taylor started his own business, Taylor Brother’s Painting and Maintenance Service.  In 1959, Barbara was employed by Dr. Jack and Evelyn Archibald to care for their 11 children. As the nurturer she was, Barbara was a loving caregiver for 12 years until she decided to continue her education and went into the banking industry. Barbara maintained and sustained a long-term and loving relationship with the Archibald family until her death. After a fruitful and successful life of 23 years in Chicago, the family returned back to their home place.

In July of 1980 she and her husband decided to move back to Kansas City to be closer to their aging parents, family and loved ones.   When returning to Kansas City, Barabara elevated her spiritual connections and became a member of Progressive Baptist Church, while serving as a bank teller at Commerce Bank on 12th and Charlotte.  As a long-term, loyal employee, Barbara retired after 20 years of service.   Upon retirement she cared for her ailing husband Olee and continued to serve as a second mom to many. After the passing of her lifelong partner, Olee (March 2005), Barbara became part of the Foster Grandparent Program in 2006. There she could carry out her love and passion in caring for others officially.  Barbara always enjoyed working with children.   In the Foster Grandparent Program, Barbara’s first love was the kindergartners.  She loved and served the Kindergartners until her health no longer permitted.  In November of 2023 she had to leave a program that was very dear to her heart.

On March 18, 2024, Barbara Louise Taylor was called home.  She departed this earth and left many loved and cherished family members.  She was preceded in death by her husband Mr. Olee Taylor, her parents, Tommie L. and Lee Etta Wilson, one brother Tommy E. Wilson, three Sisters, Lillian D Herring, Bertha E. Lyle and Joyce M. Davidson and a host of aunts, uncles and in-laws.

She leaves her love and cherished memories to her two sons, Robert D. Taylor and Gregory E. Taylor, five grandchildren Barbara Lynn Hunt (Victor), Earnest D. Ramseur, Michelle Taylor, Tiffany Taylor and Latasha Norton (Robert), one brother, Marcus Wilson, one sister, Donna Scott, seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; a host of nieces/nephews, cousins, friends, in-laws and other family members.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, April 5, 2024,11am at Progressive Baptist Church 2945 Bales Ave KCMO 64128. Visitation from 9am-11am at the church. Interment Forest Hill Cemetery. Service conducted by Watkins Heritage Chapel 4000 Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd Kansas City, Missouri 64130 816-861-3030

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