Nancy "Joayn" Taylor

Nancy "Joayn" Taylor, 95, of Davenport, Washington, passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 5, 2026.

Joayn was born on January 6, 1931, in Colville, Washington, the oldest of three children born to George and Lydia (Mutterer) Cranston. From childhood, she loved the outdoors. She helped her parents care for livestock and worked in their small store. Joayn developed a love for horses at a young age and rode every chance she could. She became the first Colville Rodeo Queen and later the first WSU Rodeo Queen. She graduated from Kettle Falls High School in 1949 and went on to attend Washington State University.

In 1953, Joayn married Orval "Shorty" Taylor. Together they welcomed three children: Mike, Kate, and Kelly. As a lineman, Shorty's work moved the family several times until 1961, when he took a position with Lincoln Electric and they settled in Davenport. They shared a love of travel and spent many summers in the Blue Mountains at their shared cabin, riding to the Wenaha River, harvesting wild mushrooms, and searching for deer sheds. Shorty lovingly called Joayn "Sarge," and later her family promoted her to "General Jo."

After moving to Davenport, Joayn worked at the local medical clinic before becoming a bus driver for the Davenport School District. She was heavily involved in the Lincoln County 4-H program and served as head leader of the Moonlight Riders 4-H Club for more than 30 years. Joayn continued riding into her 70s. She was known as a no-nonsense woman-tough but deeply respected and loved by her bus riders and 4-H kids.

A skilled leather-smith, she tooled countless pieces; purses, wallet, belts, moccasins and more. And she created unique artwork from horseshoes and feathers. She never passed up good feathers-even stopping along the roadside for pheasants that had met their fate with passing cars. For several years, she raised emus with her daughter and made beautiful emu feather dusters. Joayn was a skilled seamstress, making all her own summer outfits, tops, dresses and western shirts for her family and she crocheted afghans and sweater jackets for family. After Shorty's passing in 1984, Joayn continued to travel. Each summer she took road trips with her parents in her motorhome to visit relatives across many mid and southwest states. She loved to bring her grandchildren along any chance she got.

Joayn spent much of her life cheering on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in many sports. She never missed a rodeo, softball game, football game, or wrestling match. She later delighted in attending her great-grandchildren's events, including football, wrestling, hockey, rodeo, and roller derby. Her faithful presence earned her the affectionate name "Grandma Jo" by all the kids who knew her. She will be deeply missed.

Joayn was preceded in death by her husband, Shorty; her parents, George and Lydia; and her brothers, Jerry and Billy.

She is survived by her son, Mike Taylor; her daughter, Kate (Ron) Christman; her daughter, Kelly Haptonstall (Darrel); her grandchildren, Sydney (Matt) Schneider, Michelle Taylor, Jayme (Joe) Erickson, Justin Christman, and Tyler (Nicole) Christman; and her great-grandchildren, Sam, Isaac, Iyanna, Addie, Ellie, Londyn, Kyrie, Hudson & Nash.

Joayn's funeral service will be held at Strate Funeral Home in Davenport, WA at 1:00 pm Tuesday March 10, 2026 with a casual get together at the Taylor house after. Grma Jo would consider jeans, boots and color very appropriate for her services. Private family Graveside burial will be held in Colville, WA, Wednesday March 11, 2026. Please visit the online memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com. Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted with the arrangements.