Obituaries

In Memoriam: Nelle Taylor, 88

Nelle Horsley Taylor of Auburn, AL peacefully passed away on August 30, 2013. Nelle joyfully celebrated her 88th birthday with family and friends just a week before her entrance into eternal rest.

She was born August 16, 1925 in West Point, GA., the daughter of Joseph Clifton and Nelle Williams Horsley and grew up in Opelika, AL. Nelle married the love of her life, Bruce S. Taylor on April 7, 1945 in Opelika, AL. They lived in Grand Ledge, Michigan for 35 years where they raised their son, Fredrick. While residing in Michigan, she and her husband were active in the Republican Party. She retired from the Michigan Legislature after 15 years of employment with the House of Representatives. She was the secretary to the Michigan Speaker of the House.

After 35 years in Michigan, Nelle and her husband retired to Florida where they could be found laughing and playing with their grandsons. She was known not as, “Grandmother” but, “Grandbutter.” She kept her family very close to her heart.

They were blessed to have celebrated 58 blissful years of marriage before Bruce’s death in 2003. Nelle spend a brief time in Connecticut after the death of her beloved husband. She resided in Oak Park Terrace in Auburn, AL for some time until she permanently moved back to Connecticut near her son.

Nelle Taylor was very vibrant and active. In her spare time, you could find her serving as an aerobics instructor, spending time as an Elder and Clerk of Session of Hope Presbyterian Church in Winter Haven, FL and as an active member of the First United Methodist Church and Women’s club in 
Opelika, AL. Nelle was even a seven time Women’s Club Champion at Grand Ledge Country Club in Grand Ledge, MI.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Richard Bruce Taylor, her brother Joseph S. Horsley and her husband
Bruce S. Taylor.

She is survived by her son, Fredrick J. Taylor, wife Kaki, and grandsons Matthew and wife Amy, Drew and wife Katie Taylor of Newtown, CT; brother, Robert F. Horsley of Roma, GA; sister-in-law Joyce A. Horsley of Nashville, TN,; five nieces, Anne Horsley Riegle of Nashville, TN,; Susan Horsley Sipf of Englewood, CO.; Dawn Dean Gregoire of Costa Rica, Patricia Dean Kane of Blairsville, GA.; nephews Robert Horsley, Jr of Vashon Island, WA.; Asa Dean of Phoenix, AZ.; and five cousins, Anne Ellen Horsley Conners of Anniston, AL.; William Horsley of Opelika, AL.; Teeny Williams Venters of Opelika, AL.; Jane Williams Coleman of Greenville, SC.; and Frank B. Williams, Jr. of Augusta, GA.

A family memorial service was held Sunday, 1 September at St. Rose Parish, Newtown, CT.  A public memorial wake will be held Thursday, September 5th at Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, CT. from 4:00 to 7:00 PM.  A graveside service will be conducted at a later date at Oakwood Cemetery, Grand Ledge, MI. In lieu of flowers, Nelle requested memorial contributions sent to a charity of your choice.

Obituary submitted by the family.


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