Ruth Munroe Taylor

Ruth is preceded in death by her loving husband, Dr. Robert “Bob” Franklin Taylor. She is survived by her eldest daughter Ruth Taylor Giordano and husband, John of Tampa, FL; daughter, Carol Gomez Dunne and husband, Tim of Lakeland, FL; her eldest son John Forrest Taylor and wife, Gloria of Lehigh Acres, FL; son, Lee Munroe Taylor and wife, Lauren of Sarasota, FL; daughter, Amanda “Amy” Margaret Taylor of Orlando, FL; five granddaughters, five grandsons, six great granddaughters, and four great grandsons. Also surviving is her sister, Marian Temple “Tee” Hinson of Quincy, FL.

Ruth was born on November 27, 1937 in Quincy, FL to the late Mark Welch Munroe, Jr. and Ruth Bailey Munroe. In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by five of her siblings, Mary “Sister” Nicoll, Mark Munroe, Ray Munroe, Donald “Nimmie” Munroe, and Ellen Youngblood. She attended Florida State University from 1955 to 1956 and was a pledge at the Iota Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. In 2003, she was initiated at The University of Florida with her three daughters and two of her granddaughters at her side - all Gamma Iota chapter members.

On June 16, 1956, she married Bob Taylor and then moved to Hartford, CT during Bob’s residency. Ruth then lived in Lakeland, FL for over 55 years before moving to Tampa, FL in 2016. In 1983, she began a successful, 20-year career in a real estate working in Lakeland with Gene Engle Realty, Merrill Lynch Realty, and Prudential Florida Realty. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Colonial Dames, the Junior League of Greater Lakeland, and the Poinsettia Garden Circle. She was also a member of the First United Methodist Church of Lakeland and was affiliated with the Hyde Park United Methodist Church in Tampa. Recently, Ruth was honored as a 60-year Florida Gator Booster as she carried on Bob’s tradition and love for all things Gator football after his passing.

Ruth was an accomplished cook, whose southern dishes and holiday meals served as the center for gatherings of family and friends. She loved to host at her homes in Lakeland and Rabun Gap, GA to create memories that would last a lifetime. Nothing brought her more joy than to make others feel at home while making them laugh with her infectious quick wit and humor.

A graveside service is scheduled for 2 PM on January 10, 2026 at The Attapulgus Methodist Church Cemetery in Attapulgus, GA with a reception to follow at The Quincy Garden Center in Quincy, FL. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Ruth’s life. Ruth loved gardening, especially her rose garden, and would love to be celebrated with an abundance of flowers. If you would prefer to make a donation in her honor, please donate to Blood Cancer United (formerly The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society). The family would like to thank all who cared for Ruth from Allegro Hyde Park, Bayada of Tampa, Diligence Home Health and Tampa General Hospital for their dedication and kindness.

Tampa arrangements are being handled by Blount & Curry Life Event Center. Attapulgus arrangements are being handled by Cox-Ivey Funeral Home in Bainbridge, Ga.