Karen Sue (Carroll) Taylor

Karen Sue (Carroll) Taylor, age 84, of rural Palmyra, MO passed away at 11:30 pm Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at Maple Lawn Nursing Home.  

Funeral services will be held 11:00 am Saturday, March 16, 2024, at the Big Creek Presbyterian Church in Rensselaer.  Rev. Nathan Markley will officiate. Burial will follow in the Big Creek Cemetery. 

Visitation celebrating Karen's life will be held 10:00 am until the time of the service Saturday at the Big Creek Presbyterian Church. 

The family is being served by the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel of Hannibal, MO.

Karen was born on January 20, 1940, in Hannibal, MO, the daughter of David W. and Lula Belle (Shepherd) Carroll.

She was united in marriage to LeRoy Taylor on August 11, 1962, at Calvary Baptist Church in Hannibal, MO. She is survived by her loving husband of sixty-one years.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, sisters and brothers, Martha (Fred) Brunty of Holiday, FL, Howard (Elsie) Carroll of Beacon Falls, CT, Helen (Andrew) Harding, Hannibal, MO, Kenneth (Shirley) Carroll of Phoenix, AZ, Robert W. (Elinor Darlene) (Norma Jean) of Park Hills, MO.

In addition to her husband, Karen is survived by her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Raymond and Janet Taylor of Palmyra, MO, her daughter, Marie (Dennis) Ruth of Collinsville,IL, her son, Daniel (Deborah) Taylor of Palmyra, MO; grandsons, Alex Ruth of Collinsville, IL, Chris (Alesha) Taylor, Palmyra, MO, Ben (Jennifer) Taylor, St. James, MO, Matt Taylor, Palmyra, MO and great-grandchildren Jace Taylor, Kade Taylor and Hazel Taylor.

Karen graduated from Hannibal High School, Hannibal La-Grange College and Northeast Missouri State Teachers College. She did her student teaching in the Hannibal school system and taught for 30 years in the Palmyra Elementary school system before retiring in 1996. 

Besides teaching, Karen helped her husband as needed on the farm. During her time at HLG, Karen sang in the choir with her lovely alto voice.She was active in the Women Of The Church group at Big Creek Presbyterian Church and for years in the church choir. After retirement, Karen enjoyed traveling on cruises with LeRoy and spending time with her grandchildren. Her final years were made difficult by Alzheimer's and her family wishes to thank her caregivers at Maple Lawn for all the kindness they showed during her stay there.

Pallbearers will be Alex Ruth, Ben Taylor, Chris Taylor and Matt Taylor.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jace Taylor, Kade Taylor and Hazel Taylor 

Memorial contributions may be made to Big Creek Presbyterian Church or Maple Lawn Nursing Home , in care of Smith Funeral Home & Chapel.

Online condolences may be made to the family and video tribute viewed on Karen's memorial page at www.smithfuneralhomeandchapel.com  

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