Miriam Elizabeth Taff Denham

Miriam Elizabeth Taff Denham passed away on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at the age of 100 surrounded by her loving family under the care of Columbus Hospice. She was born on August 9, 1925 in Columbus, Georgia to the late Lonie Elizabeth Taff and Clyde Jannings Taff.

Elizabeth attended Columbus schools and graduated from Jordan High School. She married George Phelts Denham on June 6, 1942 and they celebrated 66 years together. When she began her new role in life as a loving wife and mother, she followed her Christian faith and values. She taught her children the importance of the responsibility as a Christian to serve God and community. Elizabeth fulfilled her promise to God to raise her children in a Christian home, where mother and father were there to guide and provide examples of how to be men and women of character, faith and love. She has finished the race, kept her promise to God and now is in heaven where her Savior greeted her with these words: “Well done my good and faithful servant”. Elizabeth was a member of Morningside Baptist Church for many years and more recently a member of First Baptist Church.

Throughout her many years of service to the Lord, she taught 4th grade Sunday School, College and Career Sunday School, sang in the church choir, served as Director of GA’s and WMU Director. While a member of Morningside Baptist Church, Elizabeth did the weekly sanctuary arrangements as her gift to God.

Elizabeth ‘s community involvement includes being a Brownie Scout Leader and a Girl Scout Leader. She established Youth Garden Clubs to teach gardening skills and encouraged a love of nature. She held many offices in the PTA where she was awarded a Lifetime Membership.

Her love for her family was a reflection of her faith and love for God and his creation. As a young child Elizabeth developed a love and appreciation for nature, especially plants and flowers. Walking through her mother’s picket fenced-in formal garden was one of the memories she would share with her children. As she matured, she continued to grow in her knowledge of horticulture. It was during this time she developed an interest and talent for floral designing. Elizabeth exhibited beautifully artistic designs in both traditional and creative classifications for over fifty years, where she received many blue ribbons and “best in show” awards. She was known to have made many a corsage for her sons to present to their dates for a dance or social event. The boys always bragged how much prettier mom’s corsages were than the other girl’s flowers.

One of her proudest achievements was earning the designations of Master Judge and Landscape Design and Garden consultant. She enjoyed traveling throughout the southeast judging in state fairs and many other garden club sponsored events. Elizabeth was a member of the Garden Club of Georgia for over twenty years serving on the state board until she went Emeritus. There she worked on many projects including Calendar Chairman, Life Membership Chairman, Smokey Bear, Blue Star Markers, and many more. She was a member of Sherwood Garden Club, served as President of the Middle Georgia Judges Council, President of the Columbus Council of Garden Clubs for three terms and was elected Magnolia District director for a term.

Elizabeth shared her love of flowers with any and all who knew her and she left an imprint of that love with them. Even though Elizabeth’s passion was in flowers and the beauty of creating beautiful arrangements to share with others, her true joy in life was her family. She loved beyond measure and treasured her time with her family during visits, holidays and special events. She loved her grandchildren and always said she was privileged to babysit and be part of their lives. Luci, her red poodle, provided companionship for 18 years. She loved her Georgia Bulldogs and attended games when she could. When she could not be there, she robustly cheered from her chair in her den.

Elizabeth leaves her loving memory to be cherished by her children: Miriam Denham Anderson (Bob) of Cleveland, Tennessee, Allen Denham (Gretchen) of Columbus, Georgia, and Stephen George Denham (Lori) of Columbus, Georgia; her grandchildren: Robert Elliott Denham (Amanda) of Columbus and Sally Denham Reiser (Tim) of Atlanta, Georgia as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a newborn infant, her husband, George Denham; her parents, Lonie and Clyde Taff; her brothers: James Harold Taff and Dr. William Taff.

A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church of Columbus, 212 12th Ave. Columbus, GA 31901, on Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 11:00 AM with Dr. Jimmy Elder officiating. Family will visit with friends immediately following the service in the Youth Activities Building.

The family thanks Elizabeth’s companions who loved and cared deeply for her, Tracy Ellis, Sharon Martin, and Lorene Ferguson.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Columbus Botanical Gardens, 3603 Weems Road, Columbus, GA 31909 or First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 828, Columbus, GA 31902.