Pat (Leonard) Taylor

 Pat L. Taylor

  WOODRUFF- Our sweet, beloved Mom/Mimi, Patsy Leonard Taylor, stepped into heaven Saturday, May 1, 2021 to be in her eternal home. We could fill this page with her accomplishments, accolades, and lifelong activities, but that is not who or what she was.

   Born October 27, 1940 in Thomasville, N.C. Pat was the eighth child of Marvin and Grace Leonard. Being the eighth of nine children was no easy task, but she shined brightly. Unlike most young women of her time, Mom was more interested in sports and defeating the boys on the court than in dating them. She excelled in basketball, softball, and tennis, playing the latter on the boys' team because there was no girls' tennis team.

   Finally, a dashing young airman caught her attention and did not give up until she said "yes". We are not quite sure if Bob Taylor ever got a handle on his beautiful bride. For sure he stayed faithful until his passing in 2013.

   In their 50 plus years of marriage, they raised two handsome sons, Mark Workman Taylor (Leigh Ann) and Stephen Christopher "Chris" Taylor (Cindi). So many of those years were spent attending, and even playing, various sports. Excellence was Mom's goal, and she instilled that in her family. She never seemed to tire and until the weeks of her recent illness, you could find her on the sidelines of the sporting events in which her great-grandchildren played, ever the encourager, and ever the better umpire or referee then those calling the games.

   Family meant the world to Mom, but her relationship with Jesus was the most important thing in her life. She served Him faithfully for many years, and it was to her the most important thing to pass on to her family. She did just that in a thousand beautiful, gentle, and faithful ways.

  Mom had five surviving siblings - Glenn Leonard (Thomasville, N.C.), Gene Leonard (Mauldin, S.C.), Joe Leonard (Thomasville, N.C.), Doris Eddinger (Thomasville, N.C.), and last but definitely not least, her baby sister Gail Schuler (Thomasville, N.C.). Mom and Gail's nightly talks probably stirred up a lot of mischief, and definitely led to lifelong Beulah Mae stories that Mom faithfully told to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Never a family gathering went by without the kiddos gathering around her and begging for Little Bobby and Beulah Mae stories. Her grandchildren, Autumn Johnston (Josh), Mark Taylor II (Kara), Micah Taylor (Jessica), Hannah Russell (Adam), Andrew Taylor, and Emily Taylor can recite those stories to this day, as can her great-grandchildren Ryken, Talen, and Benaiah Johnston and Coen and Grace Taylor.

   Being a vital member of the Woodruff community, Mom determined to make a difference in this world. She knew so many of you, treasuring every friendship and because of this, we are unable to mention every one of you by name. You know who you are, and our family cannot thank you enough for your faithful friendship and love. 

    We would say to Dr. Joe and Lynn Kubiak, one of Mom's many treasured nieces and nephews, you have been our rocks these last few months of declining health - words are inadequate; your servant hearts are indescribable. 

     Finally, we would encourage all of Mom's friends and family to live life to the fullest for Jesus. Make every moment count. 

     We will be celebrating Mom's victory Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at Cornerstone Baptist Church by Rev. Daniel Godfrey and Mr. Chris Taylor.  A private entombment will follow at Greenhaven Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.

 Visitation will be 1:30-2:45 p.m. prior to the service in the church sanctuary.

  In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Cornerstone Baptist Church Building Fund, 9480 Highway 221, Woodruff, S.C. 29388.

  The family is at their respective homes.

  Lanford-Gwinn Mortuary