Irma Jane (Shewmaker) Taylor

     Irma Taylor, 81, Harrisburg, passed away at her home in Harrisburg on October 20, 2023.

     Irma was born October 1, 1942, in Harrisburg and attended Harrisburg High School.   

     She met her husband, Larry Taylor, in 1962 while working at Don Wilson’s Root Beer Stand and would often retell the story of how she instantly fell in love with his smile. They married on August 21, 1964, and spent the next 22 years in Gallatin County where they raised three daughters, Gina Burnett (Norris City), Melissa Freed (Harrisburg), and Dana Cornell (O’Fallon). Irma and Larry moved to Raleigh in 1986 and eventually retired to Harrisburg, where they lived out the remainder of their 59-year marriage until Larry’s passing in April 2023.

     Irma had a gift for creativity and was the family historian, creating countless scrapbooks, photo albums and hand-made cards to document her most cherished family moments.  The only thing the family loved more than her cards was her special Chex party mix.  

     She was most proud of the time she spent taking care of others as a nursing home and home health assistant. She was a compassionate caretaker who treated her patients with dignity and respect; she treated them like family.

     She was a stubborn redhead who was known for having lost her filter years ago. But, if you ask her family, it’s one of the things they loved most. You could always count on her to tell you what she thought…whether you asked or not.

     In addition to her three daughters, Irma is survived by her sister, Doris (Bob) Lang of Queensbury, NY; sister-in-law Judy (Dude) Brown of Harrisburg; seven grandchildren: Ashley (Brian) Doty of Murphysboro; Madison Pruett (Jon Quertermous) of Mt. Vernon, IN; Gabby (Zac) Howard and Mollie Freed of Harrisburg; and Graydon, Mason and Quinn Cornell of O’Fallon; one great grandson, August Howard, of Harrisburg; and several nephews and nieces.

     She is preceded in death by her husband, Larry; mother, Anna (Gribble) Shewmaker; and brother, Brice Edward Shewmaker.

     A memorial service for Irma Taylor will be held at 2 PM, Sunday, October 29, 2023, at Stricklin Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.  Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. 

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