Mary Lou Taylor's Obituary
Our beloved Mary Lou Taylor passed away during the early morning hours of January 3, 2023, surrounded by those who loved her most in this world until the very end.
Mary Lou is survived and missed by her husband of 67 years, Emmitt Taylor, and her three children: Lorna McLemore of Haslet, TX, Doyle Taylor and wife Karen of The Woodlands, TX, and Jeffrey Taylor and wife Heather Taylor of Princeton, TX. She will be forever cherished and remembered by her nine grandchildren: Rachelle Cooper and husband Walt Cooper, Kyle McLemore and fiancée Lessa Scott, Brian Taylor and wife Emily Taylor, Chris Taylor and wife Leslie Taylor, Cody Taylor, Travis Taylor, Jenny Taylor, Jake Taylor, and Madison Taylor, as well as her six great-grandchildren: Taylor Cooper, Knox Cooper, Gage Cooper, Oliver Taylor, Sadie Taylor, and Justin Taylor. Mary Lou’s memory also lives on in her three nephews: Larry, Steve, and Kelly McConathy and their families.
She was preceded in death by both her parents, Clarence William McConathy and Mary Lucille McConathy (née Anderson), as well as her older brother, Clarence Eugene (Gene) McConathy.
Mary Lou was born in Houston, TX on November 27, 1934, where she graduated from Reagan High School and married Emmitt a few short years later in 1955 at the congregation where she was baptized into Christ, West University Church of Christ. The young couple had been introduced just six months earlier by Mary Lou’s cousin, Doyle Adair, through a blind double date. She described Emmitt as the answer to her repeated prayer to God to send her a Christian man who would teach her about the Lord and with whom she could raise a Christian family.
Her greatest joy in life came from service to and support of others. During the earliest years of their marriage, she supported Emmitt throughout his brief time in the military and as he embarked on his career as a CPA and auditor. She was incredibly proud of being a wife, homemaker, and mother to her children. She was a faithful member of the Church and hosted many get-togethers at her home throughout the years. After raising her children and helping to raise two of her grandchildren, she and Emmitt opened up their home to young men in the Church in need of a temporary place to live. For years she would refer to these men as her adoptive sons and remained close with them right up until her passing.
Mary Lou and Emmitt were one of the founding families of Melrose Drive Church of Christ in Richardson, TX, which later became what is known today as the congregation that worships at Custer Road Church of Christ in Plano, TX. It was through this congregation that she formed lifelong friendships, found the perfect wife for her youngest son through her keen matchmaking, taught countless children in Bible class, and hosted everything from 42 parties to traveling preachers.
While 88 years is a lot of life to live, she was most proud of how she chose to dedicate those years to others and only wished she had more years to continue to give.
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