Brenda Anne Taylor

Brenda Anne (Finch) Taylor was born on June 7, 1937, at Pond House Farm in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, England. Brenda was the youngest of nine children born to Alice Louisa (Rash) Finch and Frederick James Finch.

Brenda was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on December 6, 2025. She was 88 years old.

At a very young age Brenda was affected by the challenges of World War II. Her hometown was under the threat of the Nazi invasion and was bombed by axis forces. She told many stories about her large family seeking shelter from bombs and enduring food and supply rationing. Wartime memories lingered with Brenda throughout her entire life.

During happier times Brenda met her one true love on a blind date. He was a handsome young U.S. airman from Oklahoma. The two fell deeply in love and were married on December 19, 1959. They started their family while stationed at Fairford Air Base near Swindon, England, welcoming their son, Mark. Fifteen months later Ken received orders for his next base assignment, and Brenda made the huge sacrifice that military families make; to move away from her home and leave her extended family. The young family’s new home would be at Bergstrom Air Force base in Austin, Texas. The three boarded the SS United States in Portsmouth, England and crossed the Atlantic Ocean by ship, headed to New York Harbor.

Once they reached the harbor they were greeted by none other than the Statue of Liberty! From there they traveled to their new home in Texas, which was a significant transition for Brenda as she had rarely traveled outside of Suffolk and Essex counties. While stationed at Bergstrom Air Force base Brenda and Ken welcomed their daughter, Karen to the family.

As a devoted US Air Force wife, Brenda created a loving and comfortable home wherever the Air Force took them, including assignments to Norton Air Force base in California, where her husband was on assigned to a special project that took him away from the family on many extended trips around the world. Brenda showed the resilience of a strong woman as she single handedly cared for all the needs of her family in his absence.

The family’s next orders were to report to Clark Air Base in The Philippines. Family housing was not immediately available at this base so Brenda and the kids would separate once again from Ken until family housing became available. With the assistance of Brenda’s family, her and the children moved to the small English village of St. Osyth in Essex, England. Nine months later, when housing became available, Brenda coordinated yet another move for the family to join Ken at Clark Air Base in The Philippines. After eighteen months stationed there orders were received to report to Grand Forks Air Force Base, in North Dakota. It was quite a shock for the family to move from a tropical climate to a frigid state without even owning a long sleeved shirt. Ken joked to mom to keep the bags packed because he didn’t plan on staying long.

The family’s final Air Force assignment was at Dover Air Force Base, in Delaware where they settled for three years; the longest of all assignments.

After serving 20 years in the Air Force it was time for retirement. The family made Ken’s home State of Oklahoma their permanent place of residence in 1975. Brenda came to love Oklahoma, its lifestyle, the people, and of course OU football! Her and Ken enjoyed many wonderful years together working on their acreage.

Unfortunately, Brenda faced an early loss of her beloved husband when he was only 67. Brenda remained steadfast, honoring his memory by keeping the acreage looking beautiful. Up to just a few years ago you would often find her outside, mowing, raking, and cleaning flowerbeds until late in the evening.

Anyone that met Brenda was attracted to her energy and magnetic personality. (Let’s not forget her beautiful English accent.) She was cherished for her kind and giving heart and was affectionately known as “Nana” to many. She had a wonderful life and gave us memories too beautiful to forget. Just ask anyone that knew her, she has been looking forward to being reunited with her husband in heaven for many years. We love you, Mom, and also look forward to joining you and Dad in heaven one day.

Brenda leaves behind her two children Mark Taylor and Karen (Taylor) Rucker. Daughter-in-law, Kelly Taylor and son-in-law Robert Rucker. Four grandchildren: Amanda Klupenger, Shaun Silva, Meagan Roundtree, and Zac Taylor, along with their spouses. Nine precious great grandchildren, several loving nieces and nephews in England, and many of her late husband’s family members in Oklahoma.

Please dress comfortably and join us for a short graveside service to commemorate a life well-lived at Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Norman, Oklahoma. We will gather at 2pm on Thursday, December 11, 2025.