Bonnie Jean Taylor

Bonnie was born on November 8, 1927 to the late Aubrey and Leone McKinstry. She was born and raised in Somerville, TN where her father had a grocery store on the square. She was a graduate of Fayette Ware High School where she was a cheerleader, a drum major with the band, and was voted Miss Fayette County in her senior year.

She met Gene Taylor when she was 7 and he was 9. She always said she knew he was the one for her. When she was 19, they married. They were married 70 years.

Bonnie carried her daughter Laurie Ann to full term but she was stillborn. She always carried a broken heart from the loss of her beloved daughter. When she was 30, she had her son, Mark Taylor.

Gene worked in a law firm for three years and then decided he needed a career change. He went to work for State Farm Insurance where he quickly rose through the ranks and became the manager of the Claims Department. He was transferred to Memphis where they lived for the next 20 years.

Bonnie and Gene were members of the Colonial Baptist Church where she was involved in choir, youth work and retreats, and Sunday school.

She also worked as Truant Officer and was involved in overseeing the status of teenage girls in trouble with the law. She was fierce in her protection of them.

She loved camping, hiking, nature, refinishing furniture, gardening, flowers, painting, decorating, cooking, and dinner parties.

When she was 50, Gene was transferred to Jackson where she lived for 45 years until her death. She continued all the same activities in Jackson as well as being an active member of First Baptist Church. She was also a Grey lady at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital for 17 years.

Later in his life, Gene was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and Bonnie lovingly cared for him until his death in 2004. She was 75 when he passed away and she lived as a widow in their home until the age of 87 when she moved to the Jackson Meadows.

She was very active until her early 90’s, but she began to slow down some. She always kept her usual smile and good cheer. Her colorful outfits were legendary. She was always decked out at lunch with matching clothes, jewelry, shoes, and sometimes hats.

Her wish was to pass quickly and comfortably, and she did. She was only in hospice care for three days. She was lovingly cared for, especially by her close friend and aid, Helen Moore. Her son Mark and Helen were at her side when she left this world.

Mark states, “My beloved mom was truly one of a kind!”

At Bonnie’s request, funeral services will be private for her family and their invited guests. She will be laid to rest next to her beloved Gene at Ridgecrest Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.GeorgeASmithandSons.com for the Taylor family.