Mary Jean Taylor

Mary Jean (Wire) Taylor, 78, of Norman, passed away November 5, 2014, in Norman. Mary Jean was born January 10, 1936. She was the sixth of twelve children of the Rev. Bernard N. Wire and Dorothea O. (Brown) Wire.

Mary Jean spent her early years in Arkansas and graduated from Harrison High School, Harrison, Arkansas. The family moved to Bethany, Oklahoma, where she attended Bethany Peniel College (now Southern Nazarene University).

In 1955 Mary Jean and Merlin J. Taylor were married in Calvary Nazarene Church, Bethany. They lived in Great Falls, Montana, and Honolulu, Hawaii, then returned to Oklahoma. They raised three children, James Patrick, Daniel Merlin, and Julia Annette. She returned as a student at SNU, Bethany, where she graduated with a B.A. She did graduate work at the University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond. She enjoyed working with children, especially in day care centers and early childhood programs. Mary Jean and Merlin retired in 1990 and lived in Norfolk and Chesapeake in the Virginia Beach area of Virginia for 21 years. They returned to Oklahoma because of failing health.

Mary Jean enjoyed reading, playing Scrabble, Yahtzee, and other games and doing crossword puzzles. She loved gospel music and enjoyed signing solos, duets, trios, and quartettes. Often she was heard singing as she went about her daily tasks, or singing to a discouraged or ill friend or relative. She never knew a stranger and always had an encouraging word for everyone. The twinkle in her eye was a delight to others and will be missed by all.

She was preceded in death by her parents and by her sisters June Wiens, Caroline Wire, and Bernadine Greer, and her brother Paul Wire.

She leaves to mourn her passing her husband Merlin J. Taylor, her son James P. Taylor and wife Lynne of Charles Town, West Virginia, son Daniel M. Taylor and wife Mona of Norman, daughter Julia A. Bobak and husband David of Oklahoma City, granddaughters Amy Shepherd and Keri Taylor, and grandson Joshua Urban, seven great-grandchildren, brothers LeRoy Wire and wife Millie of Yukon, OK, Jim Wire and wife LaWanda of Luther, OK, Eldon Wire and wife Paulene of Thayer, KS, David L. Wire and wife Brenda of New Britain, PA, sisters Ruth Briscoe and husband John of Canadian, OK, Esther Brown of Terry Town, LA, Carol Sue Coose and husband Alfred of Nampa, ID, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Friday, November 7, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A funeral service will be 3:00 p.m. Saturday, November 8, 2014, at Guardian Funeral Homes West Chapel, 5820 NW 41st Street, Warr Acres, OK.

Arrangements under the direction of Guardian Funeral Homes West Chapel, Oklahoma City, OK.