October 25, 1940 – September 10, 2026
On September 10, 2026, our family said goodbye to Erlene Olive Taylor, the heart of our family and a woman who was truly one of a kind.
Erlene was feisty, strong-willed, and full of life. She had a personality that could fill a room and was never afraid to say exactly what she thought. She had a way of making people laugh, occasionally driving them a little crazy, and always letting them know exactly how much she cared.
Family meant everything to Erlene. She was proud of the family she built and loved watching it grow through the years. She was also the life of every gathering—the first one on the dance floor and the last one off. Her stories, laughter, and unmistakable personality made her someone people never forgot.
For many in Porterville, Erlene was a familiar face from her years working at Kmart and Target, where she formed lasting friendships and connections with coworkers and customers.
Erlene was preceded in death by her beloved husband, George Taylor; her children, Michele Orton and Michael Taylor; her siblings, Emery Byus and Maxine Mendoza; and her parents, Earl Byus and Lucille Cottrell.
She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Vollmer (Ken); her siblings, Barbara Taylor, Dickie Byus, and Jack Byus (Darlene); her grandchildren, Tyler McDonald (Kara), Nate McDonald, Jacob Cline, Jordanne Candela (Mike), Aaron Vollmer (Deanna), Laken Hinton (Jon), Zoe Taylor (Kris), Ivy Page (Trevor), Amy Cline (Kris), Ethan Cline, and Zeke Vollmer (Taylor); and her great-grandchildren, Addy, Jag, Olivia, Sam, Realand, Violet, Remy, Navy, Shea, Freya, and Caden.
Erlene leaves behind a family who will carry her spirit with us—in the stories we tell, the traditions we keep, the laughter we share, and all the little things that will remind us of her.
Grandma, we will miss your strong spirit , your stories, your laughter, and watching you light up the dance floor. Thank you for being such an unforgettable part of our lives and for loving us in the way only you could.
We hope heaven has a dance floor waiting for you.
Be the first one on it and the last one off.
Until we meet again, Grandma. We love you, and we will carry you with us always.
Service & Celebration of Life
A graveside service honoring Erlene will be held on
Friday, October 2, 2026, at 2:30 PM at:
Smith Mountain Cemetery
42088 Road 100
Dinuba, California 93618
Following the service, family and friends are invited to gather for a Celebration of Life.
Please join us as we come together to celebrate Erlene, share stories, and remember a woman who was impossible to forget.
