Pauline Taylor

Pauline Elizabeth Taylor, 83, of Cape Girardeau, died Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2002, at the Lutheran Home.

She was born Oct. 4, 1919, at Cape Girardeau, daughter of David Murray and Pearl Phillips Gibson. She and Robert Lee Taylor were married Sept. 3, 1942, at Cape Girardeau. He preceded her in death Feb. 9, 2002.

She was a member of Maple United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau since 1938. Her church service included serving as a financial secretary for 25 years, a Sunday school teacher for 52 years, membership secretary for 20 years, finance committee member for 25 years, administrative board for 38 years, choir member for 53 years, president of United Methodist Women for four years, UMC Outstanding Lay Person of the Year in 1984, UMC Teacher of the Year in 1984, president of the Loyal Aiders Sunday School Class for two years, and Fish Volunteers Pantry Coordinator for 11 years.

Her community work included Church Women United for 11 years; Letter Carriers Auxiliary No. 1219 for 43 years, including six years as president and secretary; Entre Nous Club for 43 years as a charter member and past president; Arthritis Club as a charter member and representative for 11 years; Washington School PTA member for 16 years, including one year as president; May Greene School PTA for six years, preschool president for one year; VFW Auxiliary No. 3838 for 17 years; Council on Ministries for five years where she was chairperson in 1989; a recipient of Bell Volunteer Award from Southwestern Bell Telephone Co.; and Cancer Society Ward chairperson for five years.

Taylor was a graduate of Central High School in Cape Girardeau. She worked as a store clerk at Osterloh's Book Store, Beiderman's Furniture Store, Montgomery Ward and Brokerage Store.

Survivors include a son, Thomas A. Taylor of Cape Girardeau; two daughters, Jeanne A. Kelpe of Cape Girardeau and Karen S. Grayson of Jackson; two granddaughters, Christina Bloomfield and Melinda Kelpe; and two grandsons, Mark Kelpe and Justin Grayson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one son, Robert Lee Taylor, Jr., and one brother.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. Funeral service will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at the funeral chapel, with Rev. Jim Cooper officiating.

Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to Maple United Methodist Church Building Fund.