Emily Taylor

EMILY ELIZABETH "LIBBI" JUSTICE TAYLOR

AUGUST 20, 1958-FEBRUARY 16, 2025

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Emily Elizabeth "Libbi" Taylor. She left this world to unite with God and her mother, Carolyn, in heaven.

Libbi was born August 20, 1958 in Lexington, Kentucky to Joseph Wells Justice and Carolyn Stone Edwards. She grew up in Pikeville, Kentucky, and from an early age, she embraced life with enthusiasm, showing so much of her sass and vibrant personality which allowed her to form lifelong friendships. A proud graduate of Pikeville High School, she was a spirited cheerleader and an active member of her school community.

She continued her education at Transylvania University, where she was involved in a variety of activities, including her beloved Chi Omega sorority and cheerleading for the Pioneers. As a senior at Transy she was seleted to participate in the Mountain Laurel Festival. In 1980, she was crowned Mountain Laurel Queen and remained very active with that organization for a number of years including serving on their Board of Directors. She dearly loved the festival and the people of Pineville. After earning her degree in education, and a masters in education from Morehead, Libbi married her high school and college sweetheart, Ronald "Ronnie" Taylor. They began their family with the birth of their daughter, Lauren, in 1982, followed by their son, Ross, in 1985.

Libbi was passionate about education and continued teaching at James Lane Allen Elementary and Southern Middle School when she moved back to Lexington. She committed 18 years to teaching and coaching both cheerleading and dance teams.

Her love for coaching and mentoring young women led her to the Miss Kentucky Organization. Everyone knew Libbi liked to take charge and it wasn't long before she became the Executive Director of the Miss Kentucky Pageant Organization. She worked tirelessly to help develop the organization into one of the top state pageants in the country. She was also elected to serve at the National Miss American organization as it's Director of Field Operations. Libbi loved working with all the women who came into the Miss Kentucky Organization and mentoring them to achieve their dreams.

Libbi transitioned into real estate, working along side her mother, Carolyn, with the same determination and integrity that defined all aspects of her life. She worked at ReMax Creative Realty and had numerous honors from KAR.

Libbi was a force and was known for her wit, strong will, opinionated spirit and unwavering loyalty to those she loved. She spent a lot of her life trying to make a difference in the world and one that would have a positive impact on others.

She will be missed by her children, Lauren Taylor Wheeler (Zach) of Port Angeles, WA and Robert "Ross" Taylor of Denver, CO; her father and stepmother, Joseph Wells Justice and Virginia Justice of Shelbyville, KY; her siblings, Laura Justice Slone of Lexington, KY and Joseph "Joey" W. Justice, Jr. of Lexington, KY; Scott C. Justice (Lauren) of Miami, FL.; her niece, McKenna Slone of Los Angeles, CA; her nephew, Justice Slone of Nashville, TN; her niece, Isabella Justice of Lexington, KY; her aunt, Winnie Stone Gorham (Kevin) of Naples, FL., who was more like a sister than aunt; her aunt, Wanda Justice of Frankfort, KY, her uncle William "Billy" B. Stone, Jr. of Murfreesboro, TN, along with a lot of close loving cousins.

Libbi was preceded in death by her mother, Carolyn Stone Edwards; stepfather, Don Edwards; her maternal grandparents, William and Betty Stone; and her fraternal grandparents, Stewart and Laura Justice.

A visitation and memorial service to celebrate Libbi's life will be held on Friday, February 21, 2025 at Milward Funeral Home, 1509 Trent Boulevard, Lexington, KY. Visitation will be from 3:00-5:00pm with the service to begin at 5:00pm.

In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to create a scholarship in Libbi's name to:

Miss Kentucky Scholarship Foundation

PO Box 99384

Louisville, KY 40269