1
tree
planted in memory of Gertrude Allard Taylor
Obituary for Gertrude Allard Taylor
Gertrude “Trudy” Allard Taylor made a strong finish of this life and transitioned peacefully Friday, January 13, 2023.
Born at home on April 24, 1926 to Phyllis Ragsdale and Ray Harpine Allard she was the fourth of five children. At the age of six, she lost her father to a sudden illness. Her mother took the young family under her wing and became a beloved schoolteacher until she retired fifty-five years later at the age of 77. Her mother lived another 23 years.
Trudy graduated from Vienna High School and at the young age of fifteen attended Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, North Carolina. She later attended the University of Illinois and graduated from Southern Illinois University with a degree in education. Trudy had a lifelong love of learning, a gift for imparting what she knew to others, and she taught countless classes of fourth grade students over her 30 years tenure at Bayliss School.
Trudy loved to play the cello.
She was preceded in death by a son, Ray Allard Wilson, a brother, Ray H. Allard, Jr., a brother, George D. Allard, a sister, Jeanette Allard Hastings, and her husband, Charles D. Taylor.
Trudy is survived by her sister, Mary Ellen “Sunny” Wheeler, her son, Robert C. Wilson (Patti), granddaughters, Christy R. Herlyn (Ryan), Molly R. Wilson, Medley C. Ford (Clay), J. Taylor Abney (Jared), and Chase A. Jones (Graham) together with the following great grandchildren: Kaylee Ray Payne, Kayden Allard Herlyn, Jack Wilson Dearing, Ella Chase Dearing, Caroline Taylor Dearing, Claire Allard Kasiar, Henry Ray Kasiar, Karnes Allard Ford, Wilson Alane Ford, Maxine Taylor Ford, Cale Matthew Abney, James Crawford Abney, Jefferson Boyd Abney, and McCauley Graham Jones.
Trudy also cared deeply for Renee Gotkin and Renee’s grandson Dylan Vaughn.
A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Harrisburg on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 10:30 a.m., with a one hour visitation before the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bullfish Swim Team at P.O. Box 544 Harrisburg, Illinois 62946.
To plant a tree in memory of Gertrude Allard Taylor, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Saturday
21
Jan
9:30 AM
- 10:30 AM
Harrisburg First Presbyterian Church
34 W Poplar Street
Harrisburg, IL 62946
Service
Saturday
21
Jan
10:30 AM
Harrisburg First Presbyterian Church
34 W Poplar Street
Harrisburg, IL 62946
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