Bonnie Taylor, age 92, went to be with her Lord on Monday, April 6, 2026.

Bonnie was born on a farm south of New Hampton, Mo. on August 25, 1933, the only child of J. Frank and Hattie Smith. She attended for 8 years at a rural one-room school and was a 4H Club member.

In 1947, her parents moved to Bethany, Mo., and Bonnie graduated from Bethany High School in 1951 where she earned the honor of Salutatorian of her class. She declined a scholarship offer from Maryville State Teachers College and a job offer from the Bethany Social Security Office, choosing to attend Central Business College in Kansas City, Mo.

She was later employed by Farmers Insurance Group, met and married the love of her life, Virgle (Ernie) Taylor on March 14, 1954. Their first home was in Kansas City, KS and they were blessed with three children: Dianne, Don, and Deena. In 1962, they moved back to Missouri to Claycomo, where they lived for many years. In 1963, Bonnie was employed by Farmland Industries as a secretary and in 1965 she joined her husband in his floor covering business till she retired in 1996.

She was a good businesswoman, but her highest priority was her family and during her children’s time at home, she was a Sunday School teacher, a Girl Scout leader and served several years on the PTA board.

She loved to travel and she and Ernie had been to most of the 50 states, including 5 trips to Hawaii, 3 trips to Europe and 3 trips to the Caribbean.

After she and her husband retired, they became active in the Shrine program. She enjoyed her time as President of the Northland Shrine Ladies club and visiting numerous Shrine clubs with her husband when he was an ambassador.

Bonnie is preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, her parents, her daughter Deena Salmon, and her grand daughter-in-law, Rebekkah Taylor.

She will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her children, Donald (Terri) Taylor, Parkville, Mo., Dianne (Randy) Lowenberg, Fleming, Mo.; Grandsons, Brian (Melissa) Cleveland, Chad Taylor, Ryan (Ambika) Salmon, Austin (Kylie) Salmon; Granddaughters, Julie Cleveland, Trisha (Roy) Cook, Sarah (Chris) Busick, Tara (Stephen) Formann; Great Grandsons, Isaiah Taylor, Caleb and Logan Cook, Brock Duncan, Grayson Busick, Reagan, Robert, and Reece Salmon, Jackson and Joseph Formann; Great Granddaughters, Brianna and Makenna Cleveland, Norah Busick; along with numerous nieces and nephews.