Funeral services will be celebrated Saturday, June 29, 2019, 2:00 p. m. in the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, 117 MLK Drive, Winnfield, LA 71483.  The casketed remains will lie in state for public visitation at the funeral home Saturday from 9:00 a. m. to service time.  Cremation will follow the service.

Mary Francis McHenry Taylor

Mary Francis Taylor (McHenry) was born in Jonesboro, Louisiana, on August 8, 1945, to Robert L. McHenry and Lela (Bryant) McHenry. Mary Francis, known by her extensive family as May Francis, was the youngest of a total of 16 children (three died in infancy). She passed away in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on June 19, 2019.

The first in her family to graduate from high school, Mary Francis met Edward (Sonny) Taylor in Winnfield, Louisiana, after graduation in 1964. She moved to live with her brother, Harvey (Pap) McHenry, his wife Mettra, and their two children, Sonya and Eric McHenry, in Dallas, while Edward, who was in the U.S. Army, was stationed in Oklahoma. They dated for two years before marrying in the home Edward grew up in on Fuller Avenue (now Martin Luther King.), with his father, Reverend Ed Taylor, officiating, on June 5, 1966.

Edward's career in the military took Mary all over the country and overseas. She lived in Oklahoma; Heidelberg, Germany (twice); Washington State; North Carolina; and Massachusetts before the two made their final home, first in Copperas Cove, then in Houston, Texas. In the midst of their travels, the couple had two children, Monique Yvonne and Dorian (formerly Monica Laon) Taylor.

Mary learned to cook the soul food she grew up eating and enjoyed introducing it to the many people she met from all over the world. An artist in the kitchen, she also learned to make the food of other cultures, mastering German dishes, such as schnitzel, and Korean food, like bulgogi and kim chee. Through cuisine, Mary Francis learned to communicate love and hospitality across cultures, even when she and many of her guests and friends didn't speak the same language.

In addition to being a wife and mother, Mary Francis worked hard outside the home. She worked in a slaughter house, a turkey farm, dry cleaners, and in nursing homes. But she had a special talent for working with small children. In Germany, she ran her own daycare out of her home, welcoming the children of army personnel, as well as international children, such as young Pedro from Portugal, who learned to speak English in her home. She continued to take care of children when she and her family moved to Houston. Some of those children's families remained in contact with her over many years.

Mary Francis leaves behind her two children and her beloved grandson, Alexander, who was with her this summer and present during her last weeks of life. She leaves behind her sole surviving brother, Pap, whom she loved dearly, as well as nearly countless nieces, nephews, cousins and so many more. She was especially grateful for the care, consideration and community provided to her in her last year of life by her niece Rhonda Chatman; Rhonda's husband, Randy; their sons, partners, and children. She was fortunate to be surrounded by so many family members from Winnfield not long before she died.

Mary Francis's love for her family was central to her world, and we know she is welcomed with open, loving arms by her husband of 51 years and all of those she loved who left this earth before her. Her uncommon beauty, humor, storytelling and amazing gift of crafting memorable meals filled with love and devotion will be greatly missed.

Until we meet again, Mama. You were our shining star and we love you, Monique and Dorian.