Geraldine "Gerry" Marie Taylor's Obituary
Geraldine “Gerry” Marie Taylor, age 91, passed away peacefully and quietly on
Sunday, January 25, 2026, at Edgewood Health and Rehabilitation in Springdale,
Arkansas after the long goodbye of Alzheimer’s disease. She was born April 3, 1934, in Neosho, Missouri, the daughter of the late Horace Wilson and Ruby Viola Lacey Wilson. Also preceding her in death was her sister, Marilyn, who died at birth.
A writer once reflected, “A quiet life is not a wasted one. Not everyone needs to
dazzle. Some of us are here to observe gently, to offer biscuits and warm smiles, to clap for others without needing the spotlight. There’s a beauty in not being the loudest voice in the room. There’s a quiet power in showing up every day, being kind, and not needing the world to notice.” These words describe Gerry perfectly. Content to be behind the scenes, Mom lived a life of humble service and found great joy in doing it. Along with her lifelong friend, Jeannette, she planned and hosted endless showers, parties, and events at her church. She visited hospitals and the elderly (even when she was elderly herself), she taught Sunday School, she was always close by with a casserole, a dessert, or a meal for anyone sick or grieving a loss. She loved nature, trees, and flowers. She loved color and order and design. She could sew anything and was an accomplished decorator, making her modest home comfortable and beautiful. She was also unintentionally funny, with a sharp wit and an ironic delivery. She was fiercely protective of and loyal to her family and those she loved. She loved the Lord deeply and served Him all her life, working alongside her best friend and love of her life, Darrell. Certainly, there have already been many people greeting her in heaven to say thank you for being the hands and feel of Jesus to them.
Although the last years have seen a deterioration of her earthly mind and body,
she continued to be a delight to the caring staff at The Bungalows Assisted Living and Edgewood Health and Rehab, who have shared that to be in “Ger-Bear’s” presence was to feel joy and happiness. While we are so sad to have lost Mom from this earth, our confidence is that she walks again, strong and confidently, in the gardens and forests of Heaven.
It is impossible not to talk about Gerry without Darrell. High school sweethearts
that never had eyes for anyone but each other, they were married for 68 years (June
10, 1955) and were rarely apart. Mom thought Daddy was “so cute” and he thought she could do no wrong. They enjoyed gardening, working on house projects, and spending time with their friends. They were always up for a quick trip to Joplin, Fayetteville, or Little Rock to see their siblings and children. Darrell passed away January 16, 2023. Gerry is survived by her son, Kent Taylor (Amy), her daughter Lacey Bingaman (Jamie), 3 grandchildren: Diana (Dave), Daniel (Jennifer), and Natalie; and 4 great-grandchildren, Asher, Oliver, Henry, and Charlie. Additionally, she is survived by her sister Kay Denman (Ernie), brother and sister-in laws Kent and Marilyn Taylor, niece and nephews Tiffany (Rob), John (Vimala), and Matt (Daisy), and great niece and nephew Evie and Xander. Finally, she is survived by the many brothers and sisters in Christ with whom she shared life and ministry in her 5 decades at Oak Cliff Baptist Church in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. Their friendship meant the world to her and she missed them terribly when she moved.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Nelson-
Berna Funeral Home, 4520 Crossover Road, Fayetteville. Visitation at 10:00 a.m. will
precede the service. Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m., at Mt. Hope Cemetery, 3700 N.
Rangeline Road, Webb City, Missouri.
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