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Mary Elizabeth McKinney McMahon Taylor, age 68 of Forest City passed away Friday, April 26, 2019.
Mary was born September 13, 1950 and was a daughter of the late John Tobe McKinney and Aileen Crowder McKinney. She was a graduate of East Rutherford High School in the class of 1968 and went on to receive her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1972. She worked most of her career in local and state government and retired from the Rutherford County Economic Development Commission as Assistant Director.
She was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church of Forest City. Mary loved her church dearly and was actively involved in many areas of leadership. Over the years she served on numerous committees and spent many hours volunteering. She loved working in the kitchen and took pride in her culinary skills. She enjoyed playing Handbells and looked forward to ringing each Wednesday night with her dear friends. During her retirement she worked with the church staff to better understand each staff members responsibilities. Mary went above and beyond to make her church warm and welcoming.
She was an artist and loved painting in watercolors and was prolific in making and sending cards to so many people. Her spirit of adventure led her to travel abroad each year. Mary enjoyed visiting her son in Europe. Mary was also a member of AL-ANON where she would mentor and support its members as well as being a McNair Mentor to students in Rutherford County. Mary was a strong advocate for equality in race, religion, and inclusion. She was also a dedicated volunteer in her community where she participated in civic improvement projects. Most recently was a Lead Volunteer on the Accreditation Team of the FEI World Equestrian Games Tryon 2018.
Mary was preceded in death by her first husband, Edward Patrick McMahon in 1986 and sister, Frances McKinney Hawk in 2018.
Survivors include her husband of twenty-nine years, Danny E. Taylor, sons, John Patrick McMahon and fiancée, Richelle Gardner of Barcelona, Spain, Casey Matthew McMahon and wife Kathryn of Rutherfordton, a step-daughter, Michelle Walsh and husband David of Granite Falls, and nephew, Timothy Marcus Hawk of Hendersonville.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 25, 2019 at 1 o'clock in the First United Methodist Church of Forest City. A reception will follow the service in the Fellowship Hall of the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in her memory may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 356 East Main Street, Forest City, NC, 28043.
The Padgett & King Mortuary is serving the family.
