Julia Ann Taylor

At the age of ninety-five, Julia Ann Key (Judy) Taylor melted into the loving arms of Jesus on January 1, 2024. At the time of her death, she was in the compassionate care of Wesleyan Skilled Nursing and Tranquility Hospice in Georgetown, Texas.
Judy was the only child of Lurlyne Gunnels Key and Truman Key of McNeil, Arkansas. Born on September 12, 1928, Judy was part of "the greatest generation" who learned to value hard work, family, faith, and country during the difficult years of the depression and World War II. When, as a small child, Judy's father died and her mother worked to provide for them, Judy spent much of her time with her loving grandparents, Preston and Birtie Dees Gunnels of McNeil. When she was ten, she and her mother moved to Atlanta, Texas, where she graduated from high school. Her mother would later marry Frank P. Gunter, who Judy affectionately called "Mr. Frank" in response to his love and care for her as his own daughter. Judy was blessed to be raised in the Christian faith and became active in the church at a young age. Early on, it was apparent that God had given Judy an incredible gift of musical ability, both as a pianist and as a singer. As a teenager she accompanied the church choirs and sang solos. By the time she was in high school, her coloratura soprano voice was well-known throughout East Texas and ultimately took her from tiny Atlanta through Centenary College in Shreveport to the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. There she studied with renowned vocal professor William Whitney and was soloist with The Boston Pops and on nationally-syndicated radio broadcasts. In 1950, she graduated from the Conservatory and moved to Marshall, Texas, where she was employed as Associate Professor of Voice at East Texas Baptist College. When her picture was published in the local paper, she received a call from William (Bill) Taylor, the newly-elected District Attorney in Marshall. Bill asked her out on a date and, according to Judy, she knew she would marry him by the end of the evening. They tied the knot in August 1952 and were married for 55 years until his death in 2007, living all of their married life in Garland, Texas. There Judy was a devoted mother to their two children, Don and Pam, and a leader in the PTA, Women's Clubs, and First Baptist Church. From these positions and because of her musical background, Judy successfully influenced the Garland ISD to begin offering music instruction in the elementary schools in the mid-1960s. Judy and Bill were ardent University of Texas fans, cheering on their beloved Longhorns both in Austin and around the country. Together, they opened the world to their children through annual family vacations throughout the USA, something they would repeat with their grandchildren a generation later. Judy was the ultimate travel agent, planning trips that were educational, entertaining, and full of wonderful memories. After Pam and Don graduated from high school, Judy worked with Bill in his law practice until he retired, and they traveled the world in the 1980s and 1990s. Their love of travel, and particularly cruising, left a legacy that has carried down through their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Above all, Judy is remembered as fiercely passionate about her family and unwaveringly faithful to her Savior, Jesus Christ. For nearly a century, she navigated the challenges life presented her with courage, perseverance, faith, and humor. Now, like Paul, she can confidently say: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness! Judy is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and great-grandchild, Elizabeth Julianne Moore. She is survived by her son, Donald Frank Taylor and wife Lora, and daughter, Pamela Ann Taylor Harrison and husband Keith and seven grandchildren: Julie Taylor, Kristin Taylor Likos (Nick), Jennifer Taylor Cantu (David), Stephanie Howeth Moore (Michael), Matthew Howeth (Monica), Leslie Harrison Norris (Mike), and Ryan Harrison (Jennifer). She is also survived by thirteen great-grandchildren: Grace and Luke Likos, David and Mateo Cantu, Henry and Clara Moore, Harrison and Carolina Howeth, Mason and Tanner Norris and Carter, Collins, and Ainsley Harrison. A public memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, January
10, 2024 at Wesleyan Assisted Living, 109 Estrella Crossing, Georgetown, Texas. Following a
private interment at Restland Memorial Park in Dallas, Texas, a celebration of life service for
family and friends will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 13, 2024 at Williams Funeral
Directors in Garland, Texas.