Elizabeth Ann Taylor

Elizabeth Ann Stark Taylor, born August 12, 1933, passed away peacefully at Brookdale Senior Living of Oakwood on Friday, August 7, 2026, at age 92. She was surrounded by the love of her family and the gentle care of those who had become like family to her. Beth is survived by her three children: Joel Taylor of Kettering, Ohio; Amy (Brent) Franz of Nokomis, Florida; and Dan (Julie) Taylor of Tipp City, Ohio. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren: Andy Harlan of Dayton, Ohio; Carley (Zach Clifford) Taylor of Cincinnati, Ohio; Becca (Breck) Arnold of Temple, Texas; Michael Taylor of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Alex (Holly Marusic) Taylor of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Katie (Hunter Steinau) Taylor of Denver, Colorado; and by her great-grandchildren, Norah Arnold and Hudson Arnold, who adored their Meemaw.

She is further survived by her brother-in-law, Herbert (Kathleen) Taylor of Dallas, Texas, and sister-in-law Leone Taylor of Seattle, Washington, She is also survived by nieces and nephews including her niece Paula (Dayhoff) Else of Nebraska, niece Pat (Dayhoff) Barnes of Missouri, niece Elizabeth (Dayhoff) Gates of Kansas, and nephew James (Jamie) Dayhoff of California. She was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-nine years, John H. Taylor, M.D.; her parents, Charles and Violet Fletcher Stark; her sister, Margaret Stark Dayhoff, and brother-in-law, Paul Dayhoff; and her grand-nephew, Anthony Else.

Beth was born on a farm just outside Ubly, Michigan, in the thumb of the state near Bad Axe. She attended a one-room schoolhouse a mile or two from the farm—a building that still stands today. Growing up on the farm shaped her deeply. She never lost her vivid memories of those early years, of the land, the hard work, the simple joys, and the hymns she learned by heart. Even in her later years she could sing every verse of those beloved hymns.

Beth attended Spring Arbor Junior College in preparation for nursing school and worked in the payroll office of a local pallet factory. There she met John Taylor, who had also taken a job at the factory. It was love at first sight. While John attended Greenville College in Illinois, he would hitchhike the long distance back to Michigan just to see her. They were married on September 8, 1956. Years later, the couple established a scholarship for nursing students at Spring Arbor University, a lasting expression of their shared values.

Beth poured her heart into raising her three children. Their home was knit together by love, faith, and deep thankfulness. All three children remain grateful for the quality of life and the steady, generous care she and John provided.

Beth loved Jesus with her whole heart and was a faithful member of Parkview Church of the Nazarene for more than 60 years. She poured herself into the life of the church. She taught Sunday school, served on the church board, led the missions chapter for many decades, and helped organize meals and outreach ministries including Loaves of Love. She could often be found assisting her friend Pi Randall in the nursery. She went on numerous Work and Witness trips and never hesitated to invite someone new to lunch simply so she could get to know them better. Her kindness was quiet, steady, and genuine. She loved people, and people loved her. Beth had a wonderful sense of humor. Her laughter and light-hearted spirit brought joy to those around her.

She also had a deep love for growing things. She tended her garden with care and took special joy in flowers. Beth loved to cook and kept a large collection of recipes. She and John believed that sharing meals together was important, and they made it a priority. Even with John’s often unpredictable surgical schedule, Beth almost always managed to have a good dinner ready so the family could gather around the table.

Her loved ones are deeply grateful to her longtime in-home caregiver, Trish, and to the compassionate staff of Brookdale Oakwood and Hospice of Dayton for the excellent care Beth received in her later years. A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 12 p.m. on Friday, September 11, 2026, at Parkview Church of the Nazarene, 4701 Far Hills Avenue, Dayton, Ohio, 45429.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Parkview Church of the Nazarene, Faith Promise, in Beth’s honor. Beth’s life was marked by quiet faithfulness, generous hospitality, a ready laugh, and a deep love for her family, her church, and her Lord. She will be greatly missed and gratefully remembered.