Joyce Ann Taylor

Joyce Ann Taylor

September 04, 1925 - February 27, 2022

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Obituary

ARLINGTON - Joyce Ann Taylor, age 96, peacefully passed away on Sunday, February 27, 2022.


She was born on September 4, 1925, in Madison, WI, the daughter of the late Melvin and Hazel (Roberts) Taylor.


Joyce graduated from Poynette High School in 1943 and attended Moody Bible College where she received her teaching certificate.  


She then moved to Kenya, East Africa in 1950 as a missionary teacher and later as Headmistress of government girls' boarding schools. In her 46-year career, Joyce was entrusted as "mother" to hundreds of teenage girls giving them the care, education and guidance as needed.  Joyce retired in 1996 and moved back to Poynette.


She was a member of Arlington United Methodist Church.


Joyce had a variety of interests including reading, bird watching, walking, traveling throughout Wisconsin and snorkeling in the Indian Ocean. She had a great love of the Kikamba language and spoke it fluently from her heart.


Joyce is survived by her stepbrother, Merwyn Bauer; her cousins, Bill Sterud, Mary Smith, Maureen Webb, Fred Taylor, Diane and Gary Johnson and their families; her dear friend, companion and caregiver, Leslie Bates, and many other missionary friends around the world.


Funeral Service will be held at Arlington United Methodist Church, 103 Reagles St., at 11 am on Monday March 7, 2022, with Pastor Michele Hopp presiding. Burial will be held at Arlington Evangelical Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 10:30 am until the time of the service on Monday.
 

Memorials may be made to the church.


Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com



Gunderson Lodi

Funeral & Cremation Care

157 S. Main St.

(608) 592-3201



 

 



Events

07
Funeral Service
Mon Mar 7, 2022 @ 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM CDT
Arlington United Methodist Church • 103 Reagles St., Arlington, WI 53911
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Joyce
RM
Rose Masya
Other •
My heartfelt condolences on the passing on to glory of our beloved Headmistress and Mentor to many of us students who studied in Mulango Girls Secondary School in kitui, Kenya. RIP till we meet again Wa T as we lovingly called you.
LB
Leslie Bates
Other •
Shared a photo.
LB
Leslie Bates
Other •
This is Joyce's home since retirement in 1996. She loved seeing her photos and things from Kenya
LB
Leslie Bates
Other •
Joyce at home in Poynette, Wisconsin
RM
Rose Matolo
Other •
My condolences and prayers to family, friends, fellow missionaries, teachers, pastors and church members. We called her Wa- T. She brought salvation to our family ( The Mwangangis) after employing my father, Mwangangi Isika, she preached to him , he got saved, all his one children got saved, 3 sons became Pastors, 2 church Elders, 3 daughters married to Pastors, 1 to Church. She later employed my late father in the school she was the headmistress (Mulango Girls), who after retirement went to full time Pastor. My parents named two of their children after Ms. Taylor - my sister now Dr. Joyce Kitili, my brother now Pastor Taylor Mwangangi Ms. Taylor loved all of us and did not show us that we were her servants' children. She educated us. My condolences to Ms. Bates - friend also to my sister's Joyce and Maggy We have very fond memories of Ms. Taylor Her faith and work in the Lord was not in vain. Forever she will remain in The Mwangangis family memories in Africa and Kamba land My Mother even in her old age upto today mentions how Ms. Taylor assisted her and her high level hygiene and fluent Kamba language She has gone to a better place and we shall meet in Heaven one day Rose Syombua 7th born - rsmatolo@gmail.com
DN
David C. Ness
Other •
I always referred to her as Aunt Joyce, as was the custom of missionary kids. We lived with her at Mulango station in Kitui, Kenya. My brother Jim and I will never forget her. As headmistress of the girls school, she paid us for each boring bumble bee we could kill with our tennis rackets which weakened the wood structures at the school. We killed 109 one day. What a pile of borers. She also paid me for shooting crows as they would fly into the eucalyptus trees where she hung out her laundry to dry and they would mess her clothes. I hid in the hedge with my 20 guage shot gun as they were very smart birds. Those pied crows were one type of bird that she did not appreciate bird watching. Will have to catch up with her one day in Heaven and enjoy sharing memories of Kenya. I envy you, Aunt Joyce, as you are finally, really, peacefully, enjoyably HOME! You left this crazy world at a good time.

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