Wanda Jane Taylor

And for a brief moment its glory and beauty belong to our world.

But then it flies again.

And though we wish it could have stayed…

we feel lucky to have seen it.”

Wanda Jane Ragan Taylor, “Granny” age 86, passed away, surrounded by her family, on Monday, May 26, 2014 in Austin, Texas. She was born April 5, 1928 in Barry, Texas. She graduated from Blooming Grove High School and attended Navarro Junior College.

After moving to Austin, she had a long career with Texas Employment Commission. Upon retirement, Janie enjoyed annual family vacations to South Padre Island and gambling trips to Vegas. She was an avid bowler (and very good…she bowled many perfect games scoring 300)! She also enjoyed playing bridge and doing crossword puzzles better than most! Her family recalls Janie calling them if she was stumped and couldn’t figure out a word. And, last but not least, she was a die-hard Longhorn fan!

But most of all, she loved being with her family ~ laughing and having fun, and dining at her favorite restaurant-Matt’s El Rancho in Austin. She even has her own table with her name engraved on a plaque! The table was presented to her on her 80th birthday by her family.

Those who knew her would say she deeply loved her family and describe her as feisty, strong-willed, a witty sense of humor, and definitely lived life to its fullest!

Janie is survived by two daughters, Debi (Steve) Crowe of Plano and Dawn (Bobby) Chambers of Cedar Creek; grandchildren, Kenny (Mary) Kendall, Alexis Reissig, Meagan (Patrick) Waller, Lindsey (Nick) Randall, Kaysi Chambers and Catherine Ramirez; great-grandchildren, Kenady, Jada, Daxton, Brody, Luke and Lawson; brother, “Judge” Billy Ragan of Houston; brother-in-law, Joe Kirk of Katy; nieces, Carol Jane McAdoo, Janet Ragan and Tammy Kirk.

She was preceded in death by her spouse Bud Lee Taylor; parents Opal and Braxton Ragan; sisters, Joyce Fields and Diane Kirk; brother-in-law, Ramsey Fields; and her nephews, “Little” Bill Ragan and Todd Kirk.

The family would like to extend their very special thanks to Dr. Sean Gilbey, Pulmonary Specialist, whom Janie loved to see - she always left his office with a smile!

The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 31, 2014 at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home. Celebration of Life service will follow at 2:00 p.m. Interment and release of butterflies will follow at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park.

Honoring Janie as Pallbearers will be Joe Kirk, Bobby Chambers, Steve Crowe, Kenny Kendall, John Aaron, and Lloyd Chambers.

In honor of Janie’s love for The University of Texas, please join in celebrating her life by wearing your UT colors.