Angele Taylor Ray

And boy-o-boy did Angie accomplish her dreams! She grew up in Cerro Gordo, IL. It was a small, wonderful town. Her father was the town dentist, Dr. Caleb Spencer Taylor. Her mother Lillian Loraine Wagner Taylor was a homemaker, and a very accomplished seamstress. She was very close to her dear, older sister, Juanita (husband Paul and sons Paul Mark/Joanne and Ty/Debbie).

Angie loved every aspect of music (her minor in college) and learned to play many instruments in life! She mastered the Marimba a young age, going on to learn Flute, playing in concerts and the marching band. While she was doing all that, she began playing tennis at 11 years old and has been playing ever since!

Angie went off to college at Illinois State University, continued playing tennis and got her degree in Education. While teaching first and second grade in Aurora and living with roommates, she met the love of her life, Don!

Yes! They married and had three delightful children: Randy, Terri, and Tom. In the mid-sixties they moved to Phoenix, which opened so many doors… Don became owner/operator of his own successful dental lab, mom taught kindergarten for 20 years, which she loved, and continued perfecting her skills in tennis (Don joined in, too, even the kids later on). The kids grew up in a caring, loving, fairytale life. Angie was always supportive, providing activities (swimming, ping pong, pool, tree climbing, fort building, roller skating, bike riding, etc.) and so many pets!

Tennis! Sadly, Don passed away in 1997. Angie decided to join the United States National Tennis Association and began playing in tournaments all over the U.S. “Tournament are a wonderful way to meet interesting people and make new friends.” Since then, she has even played on grass and clay courts in so many national tournaments. Other super titles have included Senior Olympics Championship. Finally, Angie began playing around the world Internationally and securing such titles as number one and two in Doubles.

Church! Angie has always been an incredible person. She has been involved in her church since the late 60’s; Choir, playing Handbells, teaching, working a Sunday School room, Bible study, and Book club. Outside of the church, Reading for the Blind and Dyslexic, and more.

Family! Of course during every phase of her life, family still came first, with fun-filled holiday parties, birthdays and just being together! Now family includes grandchildren John and Ben/Jade (Randy/Reiko), Tonya/Eric, Christy/Matt, Sandy, Vince/Ashley (Terri) and 6 great-grandchildren, Taylor, Lily, Connor, Evan, Kehlani, and Jetson (Terri).

Angie’s great sense of humor has always been enjoyed by friends and passed on to family! She was the life of the party! Oh how she loved to play Bridge and games with the family (very competitive). And she never could quite get enough chocolate and sweets!

What a Woman, Wife, Mother, and Friend!

We love you Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma!!!