Mary Taylor Unruh

She is survived by her daughter, Marsha Taylor, husband David and granddaughters, Catherine and Caroline Taylor, all of Houston; her brother, James Allen Rondal Taylor, Jr., wife Marie of Raleigh, North Carolina; her cousins, Ann Carol Mitchell and Joyce Swieterman, husband Carl, all of Lexington, Kentucky, and Margaret Ann Baldauf, husband Bill of Oak Ridge, Tennessee; her stepson, Clifton Gregg Motheral, wife Jessica and their children, Aiden and Rory, of Susanville, California; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and beloved friends.

After attending the University of Kentucky and the University of Texas, she received a bachelors degree and masters degree from Trinity Theological Seminary, later earning a masters and doctorate degree in Counseling from Oxford Graduate School and receiving the Oxford Society of Scholars Fellow Award and Diplomat Award.

Jody was an accomplished national seminar and retreat speaker for churches, organizations and counseling centers, specializing in topics related to forgiveness and freedom in Jesus Christ. Jody piloted the city-wide Bible Study Fellowship International program in Austin, Texas in 1978 and taught until 1986. In 1987, she founded the Hyde Park Counseling Center in Austin, Texas serving as the Director of Counseling for twenty years, and she established and oversaw an Exchanged Life Lay Ministers Training Program now used in several churches. She also spent years teaching piano to hundreds of piano students.

One of her greatest professional honors was being commissioned by Governor Rick Perry as a member of the Assistive and Rehabilitative Services Council of Texas.

Jody was also a recognized author of several books, including Forgiveness is Freedom and The Road to Freedom. Her memberships included the Association of Exchanged Life Ministries, the Oxford Board of Regents, the American Biblical Counselors, the Houston Junior Forum, and the Houston Book Club. One of her favorite things to do in her adult life was to teach a weekly Bible study, most recently at Houston’s First Baptist Church.

A giving and generous lady, Jody made many friends throughout her life whom she loved dearly and rejoiced with in their highs and low of life. The family wishes to thank Terrie Simon, Carol Curran and Judy Lemmon for their sweet love and support, especially in the last couple of months.

The family requests with gratitude that any contributions in memory of Jody Unruh be directed to Houston’s First Baptist Church – Music Ministry, 7401 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77024; to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center – Ovarian Cancer Research; or to the charity of one’s choice.

II Timothy 4:7-8: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me — the crown of righteousness.