Betty S. Taylor Abbott

Betty S. Taylor Abbott, 99, of Pine Bluff, died on Friday, Feb. 20, 2015 at Trinity Village Medical Center. She was born in Beebe, Ark. on Nov. 9, 1915, to the late Noah H. Strickland and Kyle Gist Strickland, who christened her Betty Kyle. In 1919 her family moved to Pine Bluff, where she graduated from Pine Bluff High School (1932) and Judkins Business College. She married Pinchback Taylor, Jr. of Pine Bluff on Feb. 18, 1936. He died in 1962 leaving her and their two children, Howard Pinchback Taylor and Mary Ross Taylor. Her two sisters, Helen Strickland and Margaret Strickland, also preceded her in death. She married Weldon B. Abbott on Oct. 23, 1977. They lived in Pine Bluff and resided at Trinity Village since 1994. She was preceded in death by Mr. Abbott in 2007. During her long life she gave her service as a volunteer with the Red Cross, hospital, public schools and Scouting. She was a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church and the Womens' Berean Bible Class. She instilled a love of art in her daughter and was active in the Brush & Palette Club, as well as a member of Arkansas and national arts and cultural organizations. Her contributions to historic preservation include her gift of land for the Boone-Murphy House, now headquarters of the Pine Bluff Historic District Commission. Among her enduring commitments, she was a Founding Board Member of the Arkansas Post Girl Scout Council, a Life Member of the Salvation Army Auxiliary, a Sustaining Member of the Junior League having joined the Junior Auxiliary in 1936, a Founding Board Member of Trinity Village, and a past Board Member of Pine Bluff Area Community Foundation. She was a member of Junior Mathontes Club and Synergy Forum until her death. Survivors include her son, Howard P. Taylor and wife Hayden of Sanford and Pinehurst, N.C.; grandchildren, Hayden Elizabeth Kyle Taylor of Charleston, S.C., Lowry Strickland Taylor of Sanford, N.C., Hunt Chandler Taylor and wife Lauren of Maumelle, Ark.; daughter, Mary Ross Taylor of Houston, Texas and Santa Fe, N.M.; cousins, Kyle Henn Klein of Washington, D.C., McLees Baldwin of Little Rock, Trudy Vaughan of Redding, Calif. and husband Charlie Crackel, David Vaughan of Warm Spring, Ark. and wife Pat; stepsons, Lavon Abbott and wife Mary Ruth of Crossett, Ark. and Dr. W.S. (Jim) Abbott of Salt Lake City, Utah; numerous step grandchildren and great grandchildren. Especially important to her were the families of step-granddaughters Margaret and husband Max Pope of Crossett, Ark. and Shirley and husband Rene Langston of Springdale, Ark. She is survived also by her beloved caregivers Ollie Buckingham, Linda Finley, Tomeka Freeman Jackson and Beverly Moore. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015 at First Presbyterian Church with Reverend Susan Carter Wiggins officiating. A reception will follow the service at the church. After the reception, burial will be in Bellwood Cemetery in the Taylor plot by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. Mrs. Abbott will be in state Monday from 1-8 p.m. at Robinson's. Memorials are requested to First Presbyterian Church, 717 West 32d Avenue, Pine Bluff, Ark. 71603 and Jefferson County Historical Society, c/o Ernestine Wallis, 2008 Ridgway Road #18, Pine Bluff, Ark. 71603. Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.