Norma Frances Mize Taylor, the only child of Theodore (Dode) and Devada Phelps Mize, was born on February 25, 1922. She lived her entire childhood on the banks of Buck Creek with her parents and uncles at the home of her grandparents John and Elizabeth Phelps. Because of a heart defect she had to ride to the one room Short Creek School on horseback. She graduated from Shopville High School and then Rogers Business School.
She married Elwood Taylor on November 2, 1942. While Elwood served in the Army Air Corps in World War II, Norma worked at Eli Lily Corporation in Indianapolis, Indiana and Wright Patterson Field in Dayton, Ohio, where she and Elwood settled after his return from the War.
In the fall of 1947 home pulled them back and they bought the general store at Stab that had been built by Elwood’s father, Melvin Taylor. Elwood and Norma ran the general store and post office for 39 years. Together they were a stabilizing force in the community, providing support and counsel to many.
Norma was a professed believer in Christ and an active and vital member of Pleasant Run Baptist Church. She held the position of Church Clerk after that position was vacated by her father and Treasurer after the death of Elwood.
Active until her late 80’s, she enjoyed gardening and feeding the birds and wildlife surrounding her home. She and Elwood were the proud owners and conservators of Short Creek. Another past-time of Norma’s was research and compilation of community history and family genealogy all before the advent of the internet.
Norma Taylor is preceded in death by an infant son (James Barry), her parents, and her husband. She is survived by her two daughters, Karin (and R.J. Riley) of Stab and Pam Taylor of Lexington, KY; as well as two granddaughters, Kathrina Riley of Stab and Stephanie (and Chris Blevins ) of Goochtown. She is also survived by a very special angel, Shelby Ebling, who will forever be Norma’s great granddaughter.
Visitation and services will be at the chapel of Southern Oaks Funeral Home. Visitation will be after 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 13, 2012. The funeral will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 14, 2012. Burial will be at Short Creek Cemetery. The family asks that donations in lieu of flowers be made to the Short Creek Cemetery Fund.
Southern Oaks Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.