Mary Elizabeth Wood Taylor passed away peacefully on January 26, 2025 at the age of 103. Mary was born in Pendergast County, NC to Charlie and Phoebe (Rackley) Wood on September 23, 1921. She was the oldest of 9 children. Mary's high-school sweetheart, Gerald Taylor, proposed to her on the night they saw the premiere of "The Wizard of Oz" in 1939. She said "yes" (winged monkeys and all).

She married LeRoy Gerald Taylor on June 1, 1940. They were married for 58 years. Gerald was a paratrooper in WW II and an ex-POW. Both Mary and Gerald relocated to Jacksonville, FL from Wilmington, NC in 1960 when Gerald's job transferred his Seaboard Coastline Railroad position. Mary worked for Southern Bell in Wilmington and Jacksonville for 25 combined years. Both Mary and Gerald adopted their only son, Gavin, in 1962.

Mary loved dancing the Jitterbug, playing bridge, traveling, crafting with her sister Judy, sending Christmas cards to her sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews, and of course, attending Sunday School and church services. She enjoyed eating almost all food cuisines, especially fried seafood. She enjoyed a vast musical range of artists from Willie Nelson, Glen Campbell and Randy Travis to Kenny Rogers, Lionel Ritchie, Glenn Miller and Tina Turner, to name a few. Having no secret to share for living a long life, she ate what she wanted without apologies to fried foods and salt.

Mary was a longtime member of Terry Parker Baptist Church before joining Arlington United Methodist Church (AUMC) in 2000. She was also a member of the Sunday School Discussion class at AUMC for many years. She and her son, Gavin, have been members of AUMC for over 24 years.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her siblings: David Wood, Cecil Wood, Judy Corbin, Betty Jackson, John Dee Wood and Charlie Wood. She leaves behind her son, Gavin Taylor of Jacksonville, FL, 2 sisters, Billie Milton of Southport, NC and Linda Williams of Wilmington, NC, in addition to many nieces and nephews.

Mary enjoyed a long, well-lived life and she will be missed and loved by all who knew her. In lieu of flowers, you may make donations to Arlington United Methodist Church or the Children's Home Society of Florida.

We invite you to join us as we celebrate the life of Mary Taylor on Monday, February 3, 2025 at Arlington United Methodist Church, 1400 University Blvd. N., Jacksonville, FL 32211.

Visitation: 10:00 AM

Celebration of Life Service: 11:00 AM