Monte Morrow Taylor
Monte Morrow Taylor left us Saturday, October 3, 2020, to begin her journey home. Monte was born to J.G. and Orah Morrow December 12, 1930 in Hughes County Oklahoma. She graduated from Moss High School where she met her future husband Leonard Taylor, who preceded her in death. They were married November 16, 1952.
Monte loved sports. She played basketball and softball at Moss and again later while living in California. She and Leonard traveled the world and she kept diaries about each of their trips and adventures. Board members and significant supporters of The Masters University in Santa Clarita, California, resulted in more travels in support of the university.
A deeply religious person, Monte found church homes wherever she lived and traveled, often stopping during road trips to worship on Sunday at whatever local church was nearby. She was actively involved and loved her church work, teaching/leading teen classes and activities. She took over teaching younger children, many of whom were disadvantaged, until her knees caused her to step back from playing basketball with the children.
Monte’s holiday celebrations were epic. The family looked forwarded to Thanksgiving and Christmas family gatherings with Monte and Len. Christmas celebrations were memories never to be forgotten. Christmas trees and decorations turned the lake house into a celebration of all things Christmas. The reading of the Christmas Story, the skits, the gift giving game, all were part of Christmas at the Taylors.
Generous to a fault, she helped those in need. Many enjoyed a better life due to her generosity. She raised nephews during their rough teenage high school days so they could attend school in the United States while their parents were posted abroad. Many of us will always remember the Moss High School Reunions she organized; even those of us who did not attend Moss but always went to the reunions. Some of the skits and entertainment leave lasting memories.
She lived life to the fullest and words cannot express what her loss means to our family. Christmas lights will be much dimmer without her.
Monte is survived by her sisters, Peggy Brooks of Seattle, Washington, Wynema Nalley, Holdenville, and Marquetta Vyce of Trophy Club, Texas; her brother James Morrow, Holdenville; 16 nieces and nephews; many grandnieces and nephews and many lifelong friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband Leonard Taylor; her parents J.G. and Orah Morrow; her sisters Wilma Shed, and Reba Stanley and her husband Gene; brothers-in-law David Brooks and Ed Nalley; and sister-in-law Rosa Morrow.
Viewing will be 1:00 to 8:00 pm Monday, October 12 th , and 9:00 am to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, October 13 th , at Hudson-Phillips Funeral Home in Holdenville.
Funeral services will be at the First Baptist Church in Holdenville on Wednesday, October 14 th , at 2:00 pm with interment at Holdenville Cemetery. Pallbearers are Morgan Gosey, Mike Nalley, Larry Shed, Gene Shed, Dennis Brooks and Ian Nance. Honorary pallbearers are Garland Shed, James Brooks and Eric Morrow.
Services are under the direction of Hudson Phillips Funeral Home in Holdenville, Oklahoma.
Family mandates masks and social distancing at service.