Mary Ellen Taylor

     Mary Ellen Palmer Taylor, of DeKalb, Mississippi, passed peacefully into the presence of God on January 12, 2024.

     Mary Ellen was born in DeKalb on November 20th, 1938. A graduate of DeKalb High School, Mary Ellen was salutatorian of her class. She then attended Mississippi State University, where she studied accounting and math and distinguished herself by winning the Outstanding Freshman Business Student Award.

     She met the love of her life, and fellow MSU student, Madison (Matt) Taylor, of Biloxi. They married in 1957 after his graduation and commissioning as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. An exciting life in the military included 10 assignments and moves across the United States, including Virginia, North Carolina, and Hawaii. Their fulfilling military life provided wonderful experiences and lifelong friendships. In 1977, they returned to Kemper County, Mississippi where they resided for over 25 years. They then moved to Alligator Point, Florida where they enjoyed fishing, walking on the beach and spending time with her brother. In later years, they resided near her daughter and family north of Atlanta, Georgia.  

     Always busy, Mary Ellen devoted herself to caring for her loved ones and pets. She cherished her time teaching Sunday School and Children’s Church. Mary Ellen excelled at cooking and entertaining, blessing many with her gifts. Holidays and family gatherings were filled with everyone's favorite treats. The happy memories shared around her table prompted Mary Ellen to compile a cookbook of her most-loved recipes for her children. 

     Mary Ellen is preceded in death by her parents, Albert Marcelle Palmer and Sallie Terry Palmer, and her brother, Albert Lee Palmer.

     Mary Ellen is survived by her husband of 66 years, Matt Taylor; her daughters Terri (Burl) McClendon of Austin, Texas and Jane (Paul) DeGrood of Buford, Georgia; and son Mike (Becky) Taylor of Brookhaven, Mississippi; eight grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; and several cousins. 

     A memorial service will be held on January 18, 2024, at 1:00 P.M. at DeKalb Baptist Church.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to French Camp Academy or Baptist Children’s Village.