RUTH TAYLOR

Ruth Taylor, 84, of Zanoni, MO passed to heaven on January 14, 2012 at St. John's Regional Healthcare Center in Springfield, MO. She was born on August 25, 1927 in Norborne, MO the daughter of William Lee and Oleda A. (Applebury) Pinkerton.

Ruth graduated high school in Monticello, IA, and later taught school there for a few years. She then started her accounting career and worked for an Office Supply Company. She moved to Horseshoe Bend, AR where she was accountant for the City Development, and then moved to Gainesville, MO in the mid 1980's. She was united in marriage to Melvin Taylor on February 21, 1987 and next month would have celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. Ruth was a very active member of the Gainesville First Baptist Church, where she played a huge role in their Social Committee. She was also very well known for her quilting. She loved Hootin & Hollarin, and the quilt show was always her favorite. She was even the Grand Marshall of the 2010 Hootin & Hollarin parade. She has been very active with the Gainesville Senior Center and the Caney Mountain Auxiliary. Ruth had a deep passion for quilting and crafts. She has been a Silver Dollar City season pass holder for the past 25 years.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; and her first husband Donald Kray. She is survived by her husband Melvin Taylor of the home in Zanoni, MO; three children, Sandra Harrison and husband Joe and Donna Peckham all of Branson, MO, Stan Kray and wife Mertice of Cotter, AR; five grandchildren William, Andrea, Jennifer, Chad and Tiffany; and eleven great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at the Gainesville First Baptist Church with Mike Dillin officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday evening from 5-7 p.m. at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville, MO. Burial will be in the Violet Hill Cemetery, Violet Hill, AR. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family to help with funeral expenses or to the Gainesville Senior Center.