Reta Kay Taylor

January 11, 1948 - March 28, 2025

On the morning of March 28, 2025, Reta Kay Taylor, passed away peacefully due to natural  causes at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN. During this stay she remained  positive, was grateful for all the good moments, and fought hard to get well. Reta was 77 years  old.

In West Plains, MO, January 11, 1948, she was born to William E and Vera Mae Taylor.  Alongside her seven siblings, she attended Billings High School and graduated in 1967. While  having worked in several different professions, the latter part of her life was spent taking care of  children.

Including her own precious grandchildren; this portion of Reta’s life became family centric. Her  daughters, Tari (Schaumann) Smith and Traci (Schaumann) Reeves, gave her three  grandchildren; Mason Smith, Makenzie Smith, and Berkley Reeves, of which she adored. There  was nothing that brought her more joy than her family. A close second, would be the holiday’s,  with extravagant decor for each to match. Some of her most cherished times spent with family  were made all the more festive and memorable by the decorations that Reta spent days working  on every holiday. She loved spreading the festivity with not only her family, but also sharing it  with the children she looked after, and became known for this.

Another of her favorite things was her time at the beach. Traveling many times to Daytona  Beach, and also Galveston Beach. This was her “happy place”, sunning by the pool, buying  souvenirs, and walking along the ocean during the sunrise and sunset brought her contentment  and peace. She loved anything that involved the beach, always gathering shells and sand to  bring home and decorate with. So many priceless memories were made on these trips.

An independent, hard-headed, I’ll do it myself kind of woman. Creative, stubborn, and filled with  unconditional love for her family. She will be deeply missed.

She was welcomed into Heaven with love by family and friends who went before her. Including  her daughter Tari (Schaumann) Smith, her parents, and her siblings William Lee Taylor, James  Richard Taylor, Grover Dee Taylor, Willma Sue Taylor, and Linda Lou (Taylor) Tate. She is  survived by her daughter Traci (Schaumann) Reeves, son in law Aaron Reeves, sister Delpha (Taylor) Koeller, brother David Taylor, and her grandchildren, Mason Smith, Makenzie Smith,  and Berkley Reeves.

The ”Celebration of Life” for Reta will be held April 19, 2025 at 1pm

Clear Creek Cemetery

7644 W Farm Rd 108

Springfield, MO 65802