LYDIA KAY TAYLOR
November 17, 1947 – January 29, 2021
Lydia Kay Taylor, 73, passed away on January 29, 2021, in Chestertown, MD, where she had lived near family for six years. Lydia was born November 17, 1947, in Blackwell, OK, to the late Anilee Turvey Taylor and Frank R. Taylor. She lived and worked in Oklahoma City, OK, from 1969 until moving to Chestertown in 2015.
Lydia had a constant smile and a contagious laugh that always made her fun to be around. She grew up with her family in Tonkawa, OK, and graduated from Tonkawa High School in 1965 before attending the University of Oklahoma where she graduated in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in Education.
Growing up helping her father at her parent’s farm implement and marine business, Lydia learned many skills. Whether driving a tractor or truck, raking hay, or backing a trailer, Lydia became adept with machines and was usually in charge of the family ski boat on their frequent visits to Lake Ponca. She was active in Tonkawa school activities, attended Girls State, played basketball and was very skilled at playing the piano. Like her mother and sisters, Lydia received the D.A.R. Good Citizenship award in her senior year of high school.
Lydia loved her career of teaching math at Hoover and Western Heights junior high schools in Oklahoma City where she made many friends and touched countless lives. She derived great joy from helping students learn the “math facts” as they conquered challenging concepts in algebra, and then watching those young people grow in their own lives and careers. She loved working afternoon and evening school games when she would keep the book, run the clock, or take tickets and cheer. Lydia retired from teaching in 2012.
Lydia attended every high school reunion, cherished many longtime friends, and filled her life with her work, friends, and family. Lydia loved the water and the beach and most years would spend summers in Chestertown with her sister and her family.
Lydia was preceded in death by her sister Lauralea “LT” Taylor Goodall who passed away in 2014. Lydia is survived by brother-in-law Richard L. Goodall and his children Taylor Goodall and his wife Jennifer, and Kate Goodall Gray and husband Kenny, and children Cole Harold and Zachary Frank, all of Chestertown, MD; her sister Frances “Fran” Taylor Billingsley and her husband Grant, of Midland, TX; and their daughter Anne Taylor Billingsley, of Austin, TX.
The family expresses its sincere appreciation to her caregivers and the staff of Heron Point of Chestertown, MD.
Due to the impact of the Coronavirus and in an effort to maintain safety, services will be held privately at a later date. To commemorate Lydia’s life, please go to www.fhnfuneralhome.com where you may watch a life tribute or leave a message for the family. Memorials may be made to Horizons of Kent and Queen Anne’s (horizonskentqueenannes.org), Tonkawa High School Alumni Association (1007 East Oklahoma Ave, Tonkawa, OK 74653) or to a charity of your choice.