Sarah J. Taylor

January 21, 1935 - July 26, 2020

TAYLOR, Sarah J., a kind and gentle lady with unfailing Christian faith, age 85, of South Lebanon, passed away Sunday, July 26, 2020 at the Middletown Atrium Hospital. She was born January 21, 1935 to the late Ray and Effie Couch in Hyden, Kentucky. Sarah retired from Bethesda North Hospital, where she worked in Environmental Services. After retirement, she stayed in touch with coworkers that had become her life-long friends. She was a faithful member of the Full Gospel Church of God in Lebanon. Attending church, her faith in the Lord, and encouraging others to have faith in God was very important to Sarah. So many Sunday mornings, she would go by and pick up her grandkids & great grandkids and off to church they would go with their “Gran.” In fact, she was known to give a hug goodbye, especially her grandkids, and tell them to go to church. She was loving, outgoing, family oriented and strong-willed. Sarah loved life to the fullest and was like a second mom to all her kids’ friends and the many nieces and nephews. She greatly enjoyed camping, fishing, and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and a new generation of great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening. She would can and freeze her home-grown vegetables for her family to have throughout the year. She was an incredible cook and was known for her chicken & dumplings and apple stack cake. Her hobbies included quilting (making sure kids and grandkids had a quilt of their own), collecting dolls and Jesus figurines, but the family photos that she had positioned so proudly all over the walls in her home were her most prized collectables. The yearly women’s trips to Gatlinburg with her sisters, daughters, granddaughters, and great granddaughters became some of her fondest memories over the years. Four generations of ladies young and old became an annual tradition, lasting over 20 years. They crammed in as much fun, food and laughter as possible in a four day weekend. Each trip ended with prayer by the elder ladies, hugs, tears and goodbyes until next year. Among many things, she will be remembered for always calling friends and family on their birthdays and singing them the happy birthday song as soon as they said hello. She was preceded in death by her first husband Carlo Langdon in 1975; son-in-law Russ Thuney; her parents; and two sisters Ethel Smallwood and Emily Napier. She is survived by her husband of 29 years, Calvin Taylor; three daughters Phyllis (Scott) Smith, Vickie (Rob) Powell, and Terri Thuney; son Owen (Carol) Taylor; 11 grandchildren Craig, Jason, Karla, Tyler, Ryan, Robyn, Christopher, Linsey, Dustin, Michael, and Lori; 20 great grandchildren; one brother Jr. Ray (Helen) Couch; two sisters Nora (Fred) Couch and Nettie (Herman) Leger; and several nieces, nephews, and close friends. The family will receive friends 5-8 PM Thursday, July 30 at the Full Gospel Church of God, 1502 Deerfield Rd., Lebanon, Ohio 45036. The family is requesting close friends and family only for the funeral service, which will be held 12 PM Friday at the church. Kevin Napier and Larry Peters will be officiating. Burial will be in Deerfield Union Township Cemetery in South Lebanon. Stubbs-Conner Funeral Home in Waynesville is serving the family. If desired, contributions may be made to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. Once shared by a family friend in regard to the importance of a parent in our life, "We were once a gift to them, now things have changed and we realize they were a gift to us!" During this difficult time, if you are feeling ill or unhealthy in any way, you are encouraged to pay your respects in alternative methods, such as sending a sympathy card or sharing a memory through our online tribute wall. Following the state’s current guidelines, please remember to bring a mask to wear while you are in the church. Condolences at www.stubbsconner.com.