Phyllis Grace (Samples) Taylor

Phyllis Grace Taylor, 97, of Gallipolis, Ohio, passed away at her home to be with the Lord Monday, June 19th, 2023. She was born May 9, 1926, in Huntington, West Virginia, the daughter of the late Homer and Dollie LuVada (Brannon) Samples.  After the death of their father, the family moved to the Bidwell community in Gallia County, Ohio, and then to Gallipolis. Phyllis married John Taylor February 5, 1945. He served as the Chief of Police of Gallipolis for sixteen years. He preceded her in death December 27, 2002.

Phyllis worked at Holzer Health System for thirty-two years, starting at the old Holzer Hospital, and then at the Holzer Medical Center. She retired from her position as the Business Office Supervisor in 1989.  Following her retirement, she volunteered at Holzer’s for more than twenty years, well into her 80’s. She also was a volunteer with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and was a conservator and helper for several elderly people, including both relatives and members of the community. Phyllis was a committed member of The First Baptist Church of Gallipolis for most of her life. She sang in the choir, served on several committees, and loved and appreciated the members of her Church family. After the death of her husband, she went on two excursions to Holy Land sites in Egypt, Israel, Turkey, and Greece, and she traveled frequently during her retirement with the Gallia County Senior Citizens’ Travel Club. Phyllis was a positive example to many, living independently until the last few weeks of her very recent illness. 

Phyllis and John’s daughter, Patricia Ellen Taylor, was born December 15, 1951, and lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico. In addition to her parents and husband, Phyllis was preceded in death by her four sisters, Catherine Newlun, Mabel Ledesma, Louise Weideman, and Dorothy Westfall, and was the last remaining member of her immediate family.  In addition to her daughter and many nieces and nephews, she is survived by a cherished niece, Dena Dale Crain, who recently relocated to the United States from Kenya, Africa, a special grandnephew, Rob Westfall, of Tampa, Florida, and a special second cousin, Diana (Mike) McCullough of Clintonville, Ohio. 

Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 22, 2023 at 1:00 PM in the First Baptist Church of Gallipolis, with Pastor Aaron Young officiating. Friends may call at the church prior to the service from 12:00 Noon until 1:00 PM.  Burial will follow in the Pine Street Cemetery, where Phyllis will be laid to rest beside her husband. The McCoy-Moore Funeral Home, Wetherholt Chapel, is honored to serve the Taylor Family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Phyllis’ memory to The First Baptist Church of Gallipolis Missions Fund, a cherished cause of hers. The address is: The First Baptist Church of Gallipolis, 1100 Fourth Avenue, Gallipolis, OH 45631.

Online condolences may be sent via www.mcoymoore.com.  

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