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In loving memory

Meador Funeral Home-Gainesville

A memorial service will be held at Temple Baptist Church in Gainesville, TX, on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Meador Funeral Home of Gainesville.

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Teri Lynn “Smith” Taylor, 60, of Lake Kiowa, Texas, passed away on February 10, 2023.  Her husband and children were by her side thanking God for her life as she began to worship Him face-to-face.

Teri made her debut into the world on July 19, 1962, to James (Bud) Smith and Phyllis Van Dyke in Midland, Texas.   Soon, she took on her first starring role of being in charge when her brother, Jeff, was born.  She spent the next twenty years rolling her eyes at everything he said and the last 40 laughing until she cried whenever they were together.  On any given day, Teri could be found surrounded by her younger brother, cousins, and neighborhood kids.  She made sure they all had fun-filled days playing games, putting on magic shows, and dreaming up adventures, while keeping them all in line.

After the family moved to Plano, Teri gained a stepmom, Joann Smith, and two siblings, David and Lisa, and a stepfather, Charlie Van Dyke, and several more siblings.  She embraced and loved them all well.

After graduating from Plano Senior High, Teri went to Baylor University, where she met many lifelong friends.  She pledged Delta Gamma, whose motto was, “Do Good.”   She did exactly that and did it with all her heart.  She loved her days at Baylor, from floats to service projects, from themed parties to Pigskin, all while cheering on the Bears.  She graduated with a degree in business.  Sic ‘Em!

After Baylor, Teri had her first child, Sean.  Even though it wasn’t an easy road, Teri always put Sean’s needs above her own and made sure he had a fantastic childhood surrounded by family.  She was a supremely good mother.

One Sunday at First Baptist Plano, Michael Taylor walked in and saw a cute little boy and a beautiful redhead, and he knew he wanted to get to know her.  That was when Teri met the love of her life.  The two were married in the old chapel at First Baptist Plano on June 19, 1993, and shared almost 30 wonderful years of marriage.

Teri gave birth to her first little girl, Courtnie, and soon after another delightful daughter, Paige, arrived, completing Teri’s family.  Teri threw herself whole-heartedly into mothering her kids, teaching them about Jesus, taking them to dance, baseball, twirl, debate, band, tennis, and a host of other activities.  She encouraged them to chase after their passions while making sure they were grounded in reality and knew how to make a practical plan to achieve their goals.

Teri soon discovered her own career passion when she began working in the school systems in Salado and Walnut Bend, the latter at which she founded the local chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  Much to her surprise as someone who didn’t love math, she was a gifted math teacher.  Her students received far more than math instruction in her classroom; she taught them how to believe in themselves. Her students loved her fiercely.  She also delighted in her coworkers and built many lasting friendships with other staff.

In 2013, Teri took on a new title, Mimi, when she began absolutely crushing the grandma game.  Teri instilled in her grandkids a deep love for the beach, the lake, a good family party, a hot cocoa bar, and “girls days.”  Her zest for life enthralled her grandkids, and they knew they were deeply loved by her.  The feeling was mutual.

Teri’s life was emblematic of John 13:35, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  She loved well and was well-loved by all.

Teri was preceded in death by her step-mother, Joann Smith.  Teri is survived by her husband, Michael Taylor, her children, Sean (Mettie) Taylor, Courtnie Taylor, Paige Taylor, her parents, Bud Smith and Phyllis and Charlie Van Dyke, her grandchildren, Elliot, Finn, Graham, and Rowan Taylor, her siblings Jeff and Elizabeth Smith, Lisa and David Alderson, David and Julia Sandoz, Karen and Steve, and numerous loving in-laws, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and friends.

A memorial service will be held at Temple Baptist Church in Gainesville, TX, on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.  In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to a scholarship fund for Walnut Bend ISD, 47 County Rd. 198, Gainesville, TX 76240. Please note in the memo line: Teri Taylor Scholarship Fund.

Donations can also be made online at https://walnut-bend-isd.square.site/