Josephine Lee Taylor

Dorothy Josephine Lee Taylor left us for her heavenly home with peace and grace on November 12, 2025.

Josephine "Josie" Lee Taylor was born on November 29, 1927 to Nathan Anderson Lee, Jr. and Ina Mae Kimbell Lee in LaFayette, Texas. After moving to Pittsburg, Texas, the Lee family became pillars of their community as they ran Pittsburg's general store through the tumultuous years of the great depression then on through decades of prosperity. Josie and her younger sister, Ella Faye Lee Martin, helped out around the house and store in addition to attending school. While Nathan had a stern, austere temperament, Mae embraced visual arts through innovative floral creations and fashion design, and her love for the arts was imparted to her lovely daughters. In particular, Ella Faye dedicated much of her time to becoming an accomplished pianist having known Van Cliburn in East Texas. Josie's natural talents mirrored her father's business acumen, and she ultimately attended Draughon's Business College to study business in Dallas.

Josie was introduced to Louis "Earl" Taylor of Mount Pleasant by friends Horace Crane and Jonice Colley (Crane) when Josie was only a teenager. Nonetheless Josie and Earl fell in love deeply and immediately. In spite of staunch concerns from her parents, Josie and Earl eloped and were married on January 24, 1945, which would turn out to be an abiding devotion that would last the duration of their lives. The following year, Josie and Earl welcomed their first and only daughter, Linda Ann Taylor, into the world. Linda was the center of Josie's world, truly her pride and joy. Josie encouraged Linda toward high achievements in school, piano, vocal performance, and competitions of all sorts. She supported Linda through college at the University of Texas at Austin, a post-graduate master degree in the arts at SMU, and a master of business administration at the University of Texas at Dallas. Josie was tremendously proud of Linda's many accomplishments.

Josie and Earl enjoyed an enviable life together filled with friends and family for 46 years until Earl's tragic death in 1990. Josie spent her career in banking, working first at Guaranty Bond Bank with her friend Jonice then later at First National Bank in Mt. Pleasant from which she retired after forty years. Fascinated by the stock market, Josie carefully tracked their family's investments and managed all of their finances. The couple was rich in wonderful friendships that spanned generations through involvement in their and their friends' collective children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. From rowdy Friday-night standing card games to spring break caravans to the beach, Josie and Earl knew how to have fun and stand in community with their friends in good times and bad. Nearing retirement, Josie and Earl joined their many friends at the Mt. Pleasant Country Club where they spent much time in their later years. They shared a passion for golf, and Josie was notorious for dropping impossibly long putts on the green. They were active members of Tennison Memorial United Methodist Church.

Josie's final years were spent in Dallas after her advancing Alzheimer's would no longer abate. But today we remember Josie as she was in life: feisty, sharp-witted, playful, stubborn, demanding, loyal, devoted, optimistic, free-thinking, argumentative, impulsive, independent, persistent, strong, generous and loving. She knew who she was. She knew what she believed. She would share her love with many, and that love would last for eternity.

She is survived by her daughter Linda Ann Taylor Lindley, her husband Dr. Philip Lindley of Dallas, granddaughters Allison Swayze of Dallas and Courtney Morgan Swayze of Ennis, great granddaughters Lily Morgan Navitskas, Abigail Lee Navitskas, and Mae Elizabeth Navitskas of Dallas. She is survived by her sister Ella Faye Lee Martin of Shreveport, nephew Matthew Wells Martin of Houston, grand-nieces Meryl Martin McLendon of The Woodlands, Michele Martin Rich of Austin, and grand-nephew Kyle Whitlock Martin of Hawaii.

Visitation will begin at 1:15 p.m. in the sanctuary of Tennison Memorial United Methodist Church with services beginning at 2:00 p.m. There is a reception with refreshments following the service in the Gathering Hall. Guests may attend the graveside service at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Tennison Memorial United Methodist Church

313 N. Church Ave.

Mt. Pleasant, Texas 75455

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the:

Alzheimer's Association

Donorservices.alz.org

An online registry is available at batescoopersloanfuneralhome.com