Maurine Taylor

Maurine Taylor of North Little Rock, Arkansas, born January 20, 1922, passed away December 29, 2013 at her lake house on Harris Brake Lake. At the time of her passing she was under the care of her long term caregiver, Kimberly Smith, whom she loved dearly. She grew up in Ravenden, Arkansas, being the oldest of 10 children. As a young woman, she traveled to Washington, DC, during World War II and worked as a teletype operator for the State Department. Maurine lived most of her life in Arkansas but lived a few years in Boonton, New Jersey. While living in Boonton she gave birth to two children and lived happily as a housewife and mother. Career-wise she was a dedicated government employee serving in several county offices at the Pulaski County Courthouse in Little Rock and retiring from the Little Rock District Corps of Engineers. She was so proud of her work with the Corps and especially proud of serving as Secretary to the Chief, Engineering Division. Everyone who met Maurine found her beautiful smile and caring personality irresistible. She was friendly with everyone and would go out of her way to help others. She was loved beyond description. She found great pleasure in working in her flower gardens with her favorite flower being her prize-winning iris. She was a lifetime member of the Iris Club. Her other joy in life was traveling being always ready to "take a trip" anywhere. Maurine loved her family. She was predeceased by father and mother, Orville and Maude Matheny; husband, Kenneth Taylor and grandson, Tony Prather. Also predeceasing Maurine were four sisters; Madge DeVice, Monarie Eagle, Mary Nuss and Faye Latta, as well as three brothers; Bartus, Darrell and Loyd Matheny. Surviving Maurine are two sisters; JoAnn Riggs of Greenwood, Arkansas, and Carolyn Kenney of Searcy, Arkansas. Other survivors include her son Bart and his wife Kathy of Maumelle, Arkansas; her daughter Laraine and husband Dan of Jacksonville, Arkansas; several grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. A memorial service celebrating the life of this truly loved lady will be held Friday, January 3, 2013 at 10 a.m. at St. Luke's Episcopal Church on JFK Blvd in North Little Rock, Arkansas. n lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Francis House Ministries in Little Rock. To sign Maurine's guestbook, please visit www.arkansasfuneralcare.com. Arrangements made by Arkansas Funeral Care, Jacksonville.