Bessie Taylor

Bessie Mae Taylor, 96, Coffeyville, Kansas died Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Taylor was born January 14, 1913 at Depew, Oklahoma to Major Harden and Cornelius CaldoniaCallie Fields Harden. She grew up in the Depew area until age 13, when her family moved to Dearing, Kansas, where she first learned to crochet. Bessie married Meigs Johnson Taylor on June 26, 1937 at Coffeyville, Kansas, where the couple would continue to make their home. She and her husband were caretakers of the Harmon Swimming Pool for many years. Bessie also worked as a housekeeper for the Dale Hotel and Coffeyville Regional Medical Center. She was also a beautician and housewife and taught crocheting classes at Coffeyville Community College. Bessie was a member of Bethel A.M.E. Church, where she served on the Stewardess Board. She loved to can and garden, but crocheting was hergift. People all over the world have her crocheted products. She is survived by two sons, Robert Taylor of Southgate, California and Emmett A. Taylor of Inglewood, California; one daughter, Evelyn C. Burnett-Thomas of Coffeyville, Kansas; two brothers, Major Harding of Wichita, Kansas and Elmer Harding of Dearing, Kansas; five sisters, Hazel Primm of Coffeyville, Aimee Roberts and Maymee Harden, of Dearing and Elnora Monroe and Norma Jean Poncil, both of Wichita, Kansas; 20 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren and 16 great-great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death are her parents; her husband, Meigs, who died December 11, 1994; by a son, Ronald H. Taylor; by seven brothers, Donald, Lunsford, Arthur, Thomas, Garvin, James and Andrew Harding; by a sister, Mabel Pitts and by three great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be 10AM, Friday, July 3, 2009 at Penwell-Gabel Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel with Dr. Michael W. Taylor officiating, assisted by Rev. Sandra Radford. Interment will be in Coffeyvilles Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home and Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home Thursday, 9AM-8PM and the family will receive guests from 6-8PM.