Gloria Dianne Shugart Taylor, age 78, died after a long courageous battle with cancer, Monday evening October 28, 2024, at her residence with her husband and children by her side. She was born on Saturday October 12, 1946, in Phoenix, Arizonia. She was the daughter of Pauline and Calvin Levi Shugart and the granddaughter of Will and Daisy Jowers.
She graduated from Lexington High School in 1964 where she held many honors including Head Majorette and Drum Majorette, Class Favorite, and Football Princess. She attended Union University from 1964-1967, receiving her B. A. Degree in 3 ½ years. While there, she was a member of the Chi Omega Fraternity. She married Charles P. Taylor, Sr. in December 1965.
Following graduation from Union University, Dianne taught different grade levels at Malesus Elementary and Old Hickory Academy. She later supported her husband in his business ventures, serving in many capacities. Dianne was a member of the Jackson Cotillion Club, Jackson Service League, Chair of the Old Hickory Academy Holiday Mart, and Chair of the Battle Ground Academy Jamboree in Franklin. While in Jackson, she and her husband were members of the First United Methodist Church and later the Forest Hills Methodist Church of Brentwood and the Parsons Methodist Church.
Playing the game of Bridge with friends and traveling were some of her favorite hobbies. Some of her other hobbies included being an active member of the Garden Club, Book Club of Parsons and Explorer’s Bible Study. Her travels included several European countries, New Zealand, Australia, China, Japan and about every island in the Caribbean. She was an avid sports fan following her favorite teams including the Tennessee Vols, Tennessee Titans and the New York Yankees. Spending time with her bridge club friends, grandchildren and Tennessee River activities at her river house were her most fond past-times.
Dianne is survived by her husband, Charles P. Taylor, Sr. of 58 years, formerly of Jackson and now resident of Parsons, TN, her son, Chip Taylor (Patty) of Franklin, TN daughter, Holly Coffman (Chris) of Newnan, GA and grandchildren Zach Taylor (Carrie) of Chattanooga, TN, Alec Taylor of Naples, FL and Tyler Coffman and Lauren Coffman of Newnan, GA.
SERVICES: Memorial services will be held Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 3:00PM in the chapel of Arrington Funeral Directors in Jackson, TN with Renee Martin officiating. The family will be receiving friends Saturday from 1:00PM until service time at 3:00PM.
The family has requested in lieu of flowers that memorial contributions be directed to Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse, 213 Cheyenne Dr., Jackson, TN 38305, www.carlperkinscenter.org, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl, Memphis, Tn, 38105 www.stjude.org, or the charity or church of the donor’s choice.
A very special thanks from Dianne’s family to Arden Hospice for their care and support.
Arrington Funeral Directors, 148 W. University parkway, Jackson, TN 38305 731.668.1111
