Mary Alice Taylor

Dec.1, 1938 –Sept. 21, 2024

Mary Alice Taylor, 85, of Gardendale, Ala., passed peacefully to glory, in Oneonta, Alabama, where she was a resident at TLC Nursing Center. Under the watchful eye of the nursing staff and her Enhabit Hospice family, she was well cared for and our family will always be grateful for the loving attention Mary received.

An only child, Mary was born & raised in Greenville, South Carolina, a place she loved. Growing up across the street from Sans Souci Baptist Church was wonderful. She accepted Jesus Christ at a young age, was baptized here and served willingly.

After high school, Mary met Airman Jerry Taylor who was stationed at Donaldson Air Force Base. Married in July, 1957, they celebrated their 67th anniversary in 2024. Jerry and Mary were stationed in England during the 60s, and while there, adopted two small children, a brother and sister, Richard Allan & Tonia Lee. Later in life when the thought of biological children was gone, Mary gave birth to their daughter, Melanie Ann. She always said Melanie was Jerry’s retirement gift when he completed 21 years of military service! They moved from Austin, Texas to Gardendale, Al, in the late 70s.

Mary was an active member of First Baptist Church of Gardendale for 40 years. She loved her Sunday School class, teaching and serving with them was an honor. After she developed mobility issues, Mary & her grandson “JP” joined Central Baptist church in Mt. Olive, Al in 2020. There, she was “adopted” by Lawanna Hand, who made sure Mary made it to activities and services. The ladies group meant so much to her and the gatherings were important to her well-being. She always had good things to say about Pastor Brian & her church.

Mary worked for Civil Service for over 25 years in various roles. In Birmingham she worked at the U.S. Treasury Department as an expert computer operator responsible for printing monthly checks, among other things.

Active in her community, she helped form the Gardendale Historical Society in 2006. For many years she served as program coordinator enlisting knowledgeable speakers from all disciplines who loved history. She was past president and board member for the Birmingham Genealogical Society, helped publish the Pioneer Trails, and worked with the “Loose Papers” project of Jefferson County. An enthusiastic, dedicated genealogist, she helped hundreds of families research their roots. Much of Mary’s research findings and books can be found at the Blount County Memorial Museum and Genealogy Research Center, Oneonta, AL. She was proud of her heritage and was a member of the Princess Sehoy Chapter of the DAR.

In 2015, Mary was instrumental in the opening of the Dooley Historical Museum in Gardendale where the volunteered countless hours working with like-minded ladies to make it special and reflect Gardendale and surrounding areas.

Mary & Jerry loved to travel and, in addition to their overseas adventures, enjoyed cruises to Alaska and more. A favorite past time was walking with her dog and cats through her yard admiring the flowers, colorful birds, squirrels, and enjoying serenity. They raised their grandson “JP” for over 12 years with great love and devotion and attended almost all the Gardendale Rockets little league games—his “biggest fans!” They were so proud of him and the strong Christian young man he is becoming at Big Oak Boys’ Ranch in Gadsden, AL.

Mary is preceded in death by her father Boyce “BD” Parker, mother Alice Jane Flynn Parker; son Richard, daughter Melanie; granddaughter Roberta Daman, grandson Brandon Taylor. Those who remain to mourn her passing are her husband Jerry, daughter Tonia Daman. Grandchildren Shane Daman (Lindsey), Anthony Daman (Colleen), Carley Taylor, John “JP” Taylor. Great Grandchildren Aiden, Raelan, Ryan, Landon. Sisters-in-laws Judy Taylor, Janice Johnson (Ronald), Mary Jo Taylor (Jackie). Nieces and nephews, church family, friends including, Shirley, Pat, Doris, Joyce, Teresa, special friend Betty at TLC, and many others.

Celebration of Life service will be at Central Baptist Church of Gardendale, 4650 Newfound Road, Mt. Olive, Sunday, October 13th, at 3:00 with visitation starting at 2:00. Pastor Brian Burdette, officiating. In the future, interment, along with her husband, will be at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made at www.bigoakboysranch.com. Mary would like that.