Lois A. Taylor

Lois A. Taylor, age 97, formerly of Vincennes, Indiana passed away Monday November 27, 2023 at Griggsville Estates in Griggsville, Illinois. She was born in Lawrence County Illinois to Lester and Florence Barekman.

Lois grew up in Lawrence County and graduated from Trinity High School in Evansville, Indiana and then Olivet Nazarene University in Kankakee, Illinois.

Lois married Samuel Taylor of Vincennes in April 1950. After he graduated from Olivet Nazarene University they pastored Winslow and Roachdale, Indiana Church of the Nazarene in Southern Indiana. Samuel was ordained in the Church of the Nazarene in 1955. In 1959 the Taylor's were appointed to foreign missionary service by the General Board of the Church of the Nazarene. They spent 20 years in foreign service which was in Guyana, South America, Trinidad and Barbados and the Bahamas. Dr. Taylor was responsible for building 7 new churches on the fields and served as Field Superintendent 14 years. After returning to the States they pastored Bloomington Eastside, Vincennes First during the 1980's and then 6 years at Columbus First where a beautiful new sanctuary was erected during their ministry and then they service 4 1/2 years at Petersburg, Indiana where he suffered a fatal heart attack in March 1998. Through 45 years in full time ministry Lois served in many positions. Teaching for many years, conducting Vacation Bible School, music, story telling and speaking in many churches on missions. She was also a good cook and cooked many meals for General Superintendents, District Superintendents and many others. In fact she received the loving name of "Martha" as she prepared food and pushed it through the dining window in Barbados to 6 Indiana visiting pastors who were all holding revivals for the week.

Lois is survived by daughter, Rebecca (John) Freesmeyer; four Grandchildren, Melissa(Owen L)Brown, David (Ashli) Freesmeyer, Bethany(Michael)Emmons, and Daniel Hedge; seventeen great grandchildren, Ethan, Brianna, Alana, Ace, Justin, Elan, Ava, Noah, Olivia, Wesley, Aliyah, Colt, Ava, Lydia, Taylor, Serenity, and Sofia.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Florence Barekman, husband of 48 years, Samuel M. Taylor; daughter Rachel Leann; infant great grandson Sammy Hedge; infant great grandson Joziah Emmons; nephew David Alexander; siblings William (Delores) Barekman and Helen (Charles) Alexander.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 4, 2023 at Goodwin Sievers Funeral Home, 524 Broadway St., Vincennes, Indiana. Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m. with funeral at 11:00 at the funeral home. Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home is privileged and honored to be entrusted with the care of Lois and her family. The Taylor family has requested memorial contributions be made to the Church of the Nazarene, 1902 Main St., Vincennes, IN.