Shirley Jo Taylor

9/26/35 - 4/16/25

Daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother

Preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husband, and in-laws.

She was born in Macon County and raised in Shelby County, Missouri, graduating from Clarence High School in 1953. She married Wayne Taylor (deceased) in 1953 and celebrated 62 years with him. She and Wayne moved to Columbia, MIssouri in 1963 to work and raise their three daughters - Deborah Fischgrabe (Steven), Karen Schnetzler (Bob), and Tammi Cook (Jeff). Shirley worked the majority of her career with Columbia Public Schools where she served as the secretary to the Director of Food Services.

Her grandchildren included Joel Fischgrabe, Katelyn (Fischgrabe) Christianson (Liv), Ashley Schnetzler, Andrea Schnetzler, Amy (Schnetzler) Campbell (Sean), Cody Cook (Elizabeth), and Madison Cook.

She was blessed with four great grandchildren - Franklin Christianson, Savannah Campbell, Wyatt Cook and Addison Cook.

She resided at Ever True Lenoir Woods in Columbia, Missouri until her death.

Her life was a testament to letting others see Christ through her. She was a long-time member of Memorial Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, assisted with junior choir, and cooked meals at Camp Cedar Crest for several weeks each summer. She, and husband, Wayne, chaperoned the youth group on choir trips, worked on mission projects with the church they attended while wintering in south Texas, and volunteered with the National Park Service at Grand Teton National Park for several years after retirement.

Although dementia stole several years from Shirley, she never lost her love and kindness toward others. She loved to sing and retained the words to many old hymns in her heart til God called her home.

An additional noteworthy accomplishment was her gift of cooking and her willingness to share her table with all that visited her throughout her life. She never got flustered and could make a gourmet meal at the drop of a hat. Her homemade rolls and cinnamon rolls were the best!

Memorials may be made in her honor to Samaritan’s Purse Ministries or the Alzheimer’s Foundation.

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