Mavis Lydia (Cornelius) Taylor, 99, of Lubbock, was gently lifted into heaven by her Lord and Savior on Wednesday night, November 6, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on March 6, 1925, in a dirt floor cabin in the woods in Eagletown, McCurtain County, Oklahoma, to the late Luther Leo Cornelius and Rosie Beatrice (McIver) Cornelius.
Then she and her parents and sisters traveled to AR via horse drawn wagon to Guernsey AR in the late 1920’s.
As a child she took on heavy chores to help her Dad by chopping wood, plowing behind the mule, starting the fire in the wood stove, milking the cows and feeding the chickens and gathering their eggs before she left to walk a mile to the rural school! All she ever knew was being a helper and serving others. It made her strong. In high school she played basketball for the Guernsey Blue Devils and after Graduation was a member of a traveling team! She worked at the Basket Factory, the drug store, and Little Steps Child Care! She was a compassionate caregiver to her husband, “Luke”, starting at age 53 after a massive stroke and cared for him in the home for 21 long years. She loved making everywhere she lived into a beautiful landscape with her decorative talents and awesome green thumb. She cared for everyone and loved teaching Sunday School. She held former President, Bill Clinton in her lap while reading Bible stories to her little darlings at church. She was the last survivor of her generation and lived a life of helping others.
Mavis met the love of her life, Waymond L. Taylor, and they were united in a blessed union on June 6, 1947, in Hope, Arkansas. Mr. Taylor preceded her in death on April 10, 2007.
Mavis loved to cook, gardening where she had a natural green thumb at growing things and cherished her family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Her secret to a long life was God and her coffee. Her daughter, Greta, described her mother as a Godly woman of love and service. Mavis was a member of the Unity Baptist Church in Hope, Arkansas.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and three sisters: Louise May, Mickey Haigwood and Wanzelle Cookie LaGrone.
Those left to honor and cherish her memory include her daughter, Greta Cullers of Lubbock, Granddaughter, Cristi Acrey and husband Heath, Grandson, John Darin Cullers, then instead of saying 6 Grand Children add 10 Grandchildren, Averi Cross and Fiancé Chris Rhinehart, Luke Cross & wife Alli, Sierra Cross & fiancé Jorge Maldonado, Cade Acrey & wife Halle, Anaston Acrey, Hope Acrey, and Great-Great Granddaughter, Alayna Maldonado. Many nieces,nephews and cherished friends!
Graveside services are planned for 10:00 a.m. on Monday, November 11, 2024, in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Hope, Arkansas, under the direction of Herndon-Fuqua Funeral Home. Local arrangements were entrusted to Combest Family Funeral Homes and Crematory.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
We also invite you to express your public condolences at www.herndonfuquafuneralhomes.com or private Letters of Love at www.herndonfuquafuneralhomes.com/page/letters-of-love.