Brenda Elizabeth (Penley) Taylor

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026, at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home with burial to follow at Hillcrest Cemetery in Temple.

Brenda was born on September 27, 1941, in Columbus, Mississippi, to Clarence R. and Laura O. (Wolfe) Penley. She was united in marriage to Donald O. Taylor on June 3, 1962, in Cuero, Texas. Brenda lived in Temple and Cuero throughout her life and was a faithful member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Temple.

Brenda devoted much of her life to serving others, especially children. She was the first City of Temple Children’s Librarian and served as the first librarian for Bethune Early Childhood Center, now known as Meredith-Dunbar Early Childhood Center. In addition to her professional work, she volunteered in the library at Immanuel Baptist Church, reflecting her lifelong love of reading and education.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence R. and Laura O. Penley; and granddaughter Katherine Taylor.

She is survived by her husband, Donald O. Taylor; her daughter, Laura “Beth” Gossett; her son, Donald Ray Taylor; her brother, C. Robert Penley; her grandchildren, Maggie Fieseler, Crissie Gossett, Chelsea Cheslock, Jacob Taylor, Brett Taylor, and Brandon Taylor; and her great-grandchildren, Drake Fieseler, Rayne Fieseler, Kai Fieseler, Ellie Edgar, and Reilly Cheslock.

Pallbearers will be Cory Fieseler, Jacob Taylor, Brett Taylor, Brandon Taylor, Joseph Cheslock and Jimmy Robinson. Drake Fieseler will serve as honorary pallbearer.