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Deloris Mae Taylor was born to Louis and Freeda Graves on May 24th, 1937, in Waynesville, MO. She passed away at home in Okarche, OK, on May 21st, 2023.
She graduated from Waynesville High School in May 1956, then attended the University of Missouri. While attending Mizzou she met Lawrence Taylor, the man of her dreams, and they were engaged after only two months. Deloris graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Home Economics and Nutrition, and Lawrence was commissioned into the U.S. Marine Corps on June 7th, 1960. The next morning, June 8th, 1960, they were married.
While Lawrence served for the next twenty-five years in the Marine Corps (obtaining the rank of Colonel), Deloris took care of everything else. She managed to keep Lawrence on track, have and raise three children, move twenty-eight times, and see all three children through High School and on to college. In her spare time she was a Den Mother, volunteered in the Navy Relief Society, and went back to school to obtain an Associate's Degree in Accounting. Deloris started her own accounting business, ran the book store at Phillips University (while being "University Mom" to hundreds of students), and volunteered at St. Mary's Hospital as well as the Methodist Home in Enid, OK. She helped to rehabilitate her Mother-in-Law after a stroke and was also the primary caregiver to her own mother in her final years.
She was an active member of the New Hope United Methodist Church (also in Enid, OK) where she mentored youths, spent time sewing, cooking, and helping to care for and support the community. Deloris was an avid member of the local bowling association and was inducted into the Enid Bowling Hall of Fame in 2003.
She is preceded in death by her father and mother, Louis and Freeda Graves; her brother, Dallas Graves; her husband of twenty-eight years, Lawrence Taylor; and her son, William (Bill) Taylor. She is survived by her brother, Frank Graves and wife Bonnie; her sister, Joann Bennett and husband Dennis; her daughter, Jeanne Stenis; and her daughter, Pat Crossley and husband Bob. She is survived by her grandchildren, Kelsey Taylor and husband Jason Weil; Christina Moses, husband Tommy and their daughter Eva Jeanne; Taylor Doak and wife Taylor King; and Joshua Stenis.
A visitation will be held at New Hope United Methodist Church, 614 North Garland, Enid, OK, at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 30th, with the funeral service to follow at 11 a.m. There will be a graveside service in Smithville, OK, at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 31st.
The family would like to thank all those who touched Deloris' life and were part of her journey. You helped to enrich her life and made each day meaningful. She will be greatly missed, but she has left her loving touch on us all.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to New Hope United Methodist Church of Enid, Russel Murray Hospice of Kingfisher, American Cancer Society, or Folds of Honor. Arrangements by Moore's Southlawn, (918) 663-2233. Share memories at www.moorefuneral.com.
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