Nora Mary Bartle Taylor of Saint James, Missouri, passed away peacefully Monday, March 31, 2025, she lived a blessed and beautiful life for 83 years, 7 months, and 6 days. Our hearts are broken with grief but our Spirits soar with gratitude for the life she lived and the impact it had on so many.

Mary was the second child and only daughter of the late Rev. Charles and Helen Bartle, born on August 25, 1941, in Saint James, Missouri. She was joined in marriage to the late General Leon Taylor, on March 29, 1959, in Peach Orchard, Arkansas. They shared 59 years of marriage before Leon's passing, on March 30, 2017. If you are following along, here is the Divine order of things: Mary and Leon's wedding anniversary is March 29, 1959, Leon passed March 30, 2017, at 12:49 AM on March 31, 2025, Mary joined her husband in eternity. Leon had to be tapping his Heavenly toes for those 49 minutes! This interesting synchronicity can be interpreted in many ways – but for this occasion, that we celebrate Mary's earthly life, it can serve as a reminder that God is in the details. He knew Mary before He formed her in her mother's womb, before she was born, He set her apart; He appointed her …" (Jeremiah 1:5) God had a plan for her life from the beginning.

Mary is survived by her four daughters: MaLesa (Mitsy) Daniels and her husband, Bruce; MaLinda Arl and her husband, Jim; Melody Barker and husband, Kip; and MaChelle Taylor; all of Missouri. She is survived by her five brothers: Ron Bartle of Owensville; Rev. Gary Bartle of Rolla; Phil Bartle of Mobile, AL; Joey Bartle of Krakow; and Lyndon Bartle of Rolla. She is survived by seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She is survived by her co-adventurer, driver, caretaker and special friend, John Willier. Mary loved her immediate family, extended family, in-law family and even ex-family, dearly – for better and for worse, she loved.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Leon, her granddaughter, Danielle Taylor Gilliam, and great-granddaughter, Kyia Daniels.

Mary's service to others was the central theme of her life. She lived her love for Jesus Christ not only in words but in action. Long ago was lost the count of church services, revivals, church camps, nursing homes, weddings, and funerals that she played the organ or the piano or an accordion or even the autoharp (but rarely all at once!). She was a beautiful soul who touched many lives, the ripple effect is incredible and is a testament to a life well lived.

Mary had a deep love and commitment to children and to their spiritual development. Alongside her husband, she dedicated more than 50 years to Children's Christian Evangelistic Ministry; creating age relatable learning materials, such as skits, games, object lessons, and prizes from the Treasure Chest! She designed and taught programs for children's church services, church camps, Vacation Bible Schools, after school KidsTime programs, Lock-In's, fund raisers, and fellowships. She directed wildly entertaining musicals, drama performances, and holiday productions. Under her watch, hundreds of children were given the opportunity to hear and learn Bible stories and Bible verses in fun and impactful ways. Well ahead of YouTube and KIDZ BOP, Mary creatively set Bible verses to kid friendly music, orchestrated spectacular puppet shows, and turned her husband into a magician, often talking him into dying his beard green or blue or purple for an 'object lesson' she was inspired to present. She led an award winning, traveling puppet team; creating the concept of children teaching children about Jesus and His unconditional Love. Mary was known for doing as Jesus would do – she chased the one lost or straying "sheep."  Being drawn to those who would not otherwise ever be exposed to the word of God, Mary actively and tirelessly served God and His children. If you are someone that had the privilege of being taught Jesus under the leadership of Sister Mary Taylor, you are indeed blessed and have many stories to tell. In honor of her dedication and service - tell these stories, and tell them often.

Mary never met a stranger; was never stingy with her smiles or attention. She felt honored to meet each person that was put on her path – and it showed! She will be deeply missed by people from all walks of life – members of her church family that she worshiped and prayed with, the ones she cut her teeth on the church hymnals with, servers she encouraged at the restaurants she loved; people she encountered in her travels, co-workers, professors and students she befriended while working as an accountant at the University; preachers, ministers, missionaries, camp counselors, snack shack workers that worked alongside her, sharing her vision and love for God's people, bank tellers having a bad day, doctors and nurses she made smile, kids campers that she led to the Lord, some now adults doing the same for God, kids from foreign lands that she entertained using her false teeth to make them laugh, gaining their trust so that they may feel loved opposed to translate the words, every thrift store in central Missouri! She had friends abroad and spread from US coast to US coast, old friends, new friends, rich, poor, saints, and sinners – Mary did not discriminate her affections or withhold her prayers! She was no stranger to personal struggles, inner conflict, shame, heartbreak, or mistakes and, if to help another, she shared her experiences, her strength, the forgiveness, and mercy she found in Jesus Christ, her Lord, her redeemer, her deliverer, her rescuer, and her Savior.

In retirement, Mary loved collecting things, listening to music, back-road trips, watching birds from her sun porch, reading her Bible, being captivated by all things lovely and bedazzled, collecting recipes that she may or may not cook, organizing her picture books, traveling, going on adventures, gardening, and attending her church, but most of all she loved, loving on and fussing over her favorite companion, Bella (her dog).

Mary Taylor, loved by all who knew her, is now the belle of the Heavenly ball. Until we meet again, she will stay in our hearts and be remembered with every kind gesture we show others on her behalf. Don't be heavy hearted for long, she fought the good fight. She is home. She is free.

God had a Divine plan set aside just for Nora Mary Bartle Taylor, born of a country preacher and his wife; married to a cotton picker from Arkansas. The number of hairs on her head were counted. (Matthew 10:30). Yes, Mary was a wonderful person and dearly loved by too many to count, by all outward appearance, we believe she completed the purpose God appointed her. Today, we celebrate her life, but let's not be mistaken, she was not loved by Him any more or any less than the rest of His children. WE are ALL His favorite! God knew US before we were formed. He set US apart and He appointed US – He has a Divine plan and purpose for US, and He is all over the details.

"Jesus loves the little children." – young, old, and in between.

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Funeral Services for Mary will be conducted on

Friday, April 4, 2025, at

Flag Springs Church, 17410 County Road 1060, Saint James, Missouri.

Schedule of Services

Visitation:  11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Memorial Service:  1:00 PM message from Reverend Gary L. Bartle

Interment:  Flag Springs Cemetery

Reception:  Flag Springs Church Gymnasium

Special Speaker:  Joey Bartle

Pallbearers:  Josh Arl and sons Ben, Elijah, and Kaleb. Jacob Arl and children Liam and Olivia. Ross Taylor, Chris Daniels, Madix Arthur, Gordon Bartle

Honorary Pallbearers: Jessica Smith and children Malaki and Analee. Ashley Wood and daughter Avy. Chantelle Daniels and son Kai.

Love and Gratitude to Flag Springs Church's Women of God Group, the members and congregation of Flag Springs Church who tirelessly volunteer, Sunday school teachers, kids time workers, youth pastors, kids camp leaders, parents and pastors who continue to carry God's message of unconditional Love to His children equally and abundantly.

Memorials are suggested to Flag Springs Church - Children's Ministry

Online condolences may be given at jonesfunerals.com.

Arrangements are under the direction on Jones Funeral Home in Saint James, Missouri.

Flag Springs Children Ministry
17410 Co Rd 1060, St. James MO 65559
Tel: 1-573-265-5547