DONNA JEAN BAKER TAYLOR

The following is the obituary for my mother, a 1950 graduate of Cimarron High:

Donna Jean Baker Taylor, 70, passed away on December 29, 2002. Born April 8, 1932 in Alva, Oklahoma, as a youngster during the dust bowl years, she traveled with her family to California where they lived until moving to Cimarron, Kansas in 1946. Donna was very active in Cimarron High School, playing the violin and cornet under the direction of Julian Aubuchon, cheerleading, and as a member of FHA, all the while assisting her parents both at home and in their retail clothing store – Baker’s Ready to Wear. Upon graduation from Cimarron High School, Donna attended Emporia State Teachers College. On December 28, 1952, she married Lt. Thomas C. Taylor, USAF. During the ensuing 28 years as the wife of an Air Force officer, she made her home in San Antonio, Texas, Albany, Georgia, Bangor and Brewer, Maine, Omaha, Nebraska, Ramey, Puerto Rico, Atwater, California, Blytheville, Arkansas, Columbus, Ohio, Wichita, Kansas and finally, Houston, Texas. She was strong, independent and courageous. Donna took up bowling and golf, was active in the Officers Wives Clubs at each base, and volunteered as a Gray Lady in the Dental Clinic. Upon Tom’s retirement from the Air Force, Donna worked first as a Dental Assistant, then as a realtor, before starting her own business, Caring Live-Ins of Houston. Preceded in death by her parents, Byron (“Jack”) and Thelma Baker, and her brother, Dwayne Baker, Donna leaves behind her children, Lynn Taylor and Steve Taylor, both of Clear Lake City, Texas, her grandsons, Charles and Christopher, her sister, Marlene Vaughn of Hemphill, and her many friends, especially those of the Bay Area Singles Club. The family wishes to acknowledge the generosity, care and support of Caledonia Reece, Mary Armstrong, Josie Legg, Rev. Don Rapp, Dr. Carmen Visus, Dr. Mohammed Baba, Christus St. Joseph Hospice, Baker Botts L.L.P., Eastman Kodak, and Roadway. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hospice.

Lynn Taylor, Certified PLS
Litigation Secretary
Houston – Rm 3409 – Ext 1793