Sarah Elizabeth Taylor

Sarah Elizabeth Taylor died in the early evening hours of Thursday, May 17, 2012 at Summit Healthcare Regional Medical Center in Show Low, Navajo County, Arizona following years of diabetes. She was 78 years old. Sarah, who was affectionately known as "Sally" was born on December 15, 1933 in Cheyenne, Laramie County, Wyoming to the late Jay Albert and Blossom Lucille (Moon) Cotton. Sally graduated from Cheyenne High School, Class of 1951, in Cheyenne, Wyoming. She then attended one year at the University of Wyoming in Laramie. On March 22, 1953, Sally married the true love of her life, John Calvin "Jake" Taylor in Cheyenne, Wyoming at the Methodist Church. Most recently, the couple celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary together. Being blessed with excellent office and secretarial skills, Sally began working for a contractor who contracted with Boeing at its test field in Seattle, Washington in 1955. In 1961, the Taylor family moved to Yuma, Arizona where they lived a short while until, Jake found employment in Oxnard, California. For the next 10 years, Oxnard was called "home." While living there, Sally worked for the Oxnard School System as a substitute secretary wherever she was needed. She was reliable and competent at any task given to her. She lived in Oxnard until 1972 and during her time in there, Sally was involved with a few Girl Scout Troops. She loved being a positive influence on the young girls and helped mold many of them to become successful women through the years. In 1972, Sally and Jake moved back to Yuma, Arizona where they have since maintained a home. It was in the early 1970's that she began working in Civil Service for the I.R.S. as a Tax Payers Service Representative. During her employment with the I.R.S., Sally received excellent training and was able to branch out on her own and begin her own Tax Practitioner service. She named her business, "I. R. Sally" and was able to help her community prepare thousands of tax returns over the next 30+ years. Even after she tried to retire, many dozens of her friends would still have her prepare their returns because she was "so good at what she did." In 1995, she and Jake were able to buy a summer place in Overgaard, Arizona. They have enjoyed the cooler summer months of the Mogollon Rim for the past 17 years. There they made many friends who appreciated the goodness she had to offer. Sally had many hobbies and talents that enriched the lives of her family and friends. She was an excellent seamstress and many would say her skills were of the "professional" level. Sally made many clothes for her children in their younger years. She also enjoyed crocheting for many years. She literally made many dozens of afghans for family and friends over the years. Those afghans are now considered to be priceless treasures by them because they were made by Sally's caring hands. While in Yuma, Sally also found herself helping her dear friend, Marge at "Marge's Ceramics" and was able to help many of her customers create their ceramic pieces of art. Sally enjoyed making things for herself and her family as well. Several of her ceramic creations adorn the rooms of her own home as well as the homes of her family. When not helping others with their handicrafts and projects, Sally enjoyed her own quiet time and usually could be found reading one of her favorite authors: J.A. Jance, Mary Stewart or Nora Roberts. She truly was an avid reader and has read, literally, thousands of books throughout her lifetime. Even after her diabetes nearly took all of the vision from one of her eyes, she was able to keep her spirits high through reading with her "good" eye. This extraordinary and beautiful woman will be missed by many whomever had the privilege to call her "friend." None will, however, miss her more than those she loved the most; her family. Sally is survived by her husband, John Calvin "Jake" Taylor of both Yuma and Overgaard, Arizona; 2 children: Michael John Taylor of Yuma, Arizona, Michele Jaye Taylor of Yuma, Arizona; 2 grandchildren: Kayleigh Nicole Taylor of San Diego, California and Kyle Joseph Taylor of Yuma, Arizona. Along with her parents, Sally was preceded in death by her brother, Jay Albert Cotton, Jr. A private family service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions, in Sally's name, to St. Jude's Children Hospital or to the Humane Society of Yuma, (both where Sally was a regular contributor) have been suggested by her family. Her family is so appreciative for all the expressions of sympathy they have received and are most grateful for the loving care rendered by the entire staff of Summit Healthcare Regional Medical Center during the final days of her blessed life. You all are angels on earth.