- South Idaho Press
Sunday AUGUST 20, 2006
Thelma Barker Taylor
HEYBURN — Thelma Barker Taylor, a 93-year-old longtime Heyburn resident, died Thursday, July 27, 2006, at her home.
The oldest of five children, she was born to Samuel Henry Barker, Jr., and Mabel Idaho Roberts on Sept. 10, 1912, at her grandparent’s home in Elba, Idaho. Thelma grew up in Elba, and attended the 1st through 8th grades there, walking or riding horseback the three miles to and from the two-room school. She loved learning and attended Franklin High School in Boise, living with an uncle’s parents and working to support her activities there.
She married Melbert Taylor, the son of James Thomas Taylor, Jr., and Mary Frances Yost on April 23, 1930. They were together for over 70 years until Mel passed away on Sept. 8, 2001. Their marriage was sealed for “Time and All Eternity” on December 12, 1950, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was an important part of her life where she served many years in the Primary, Scouting, teaching genealogy, Sunday School and other classes and was faithful in attending to her church and family.
Her early married years were spent working together with her husband on ranches in Southern Idaho, Utah, and Nevada, including Dove Creek, Rancho Grande, Three Creek, Ted King’s Ranches in Castle Rock and Muddy Ranch. Mel worked with the livestock and ranching while Thelma contributed by preparing meals for the ranch hands, sewing and helping with the daily chores. Their living was supplemented by working for the Forest Service, the Biological Survey in predatory animal control and the Government WPA building projects like the Almo School. They later moved to Albion, for six years before moving to Heyburn, in 1948. They first rented a farm that they later purchased from Willard and Lena MacKnight where they raised their family, milked dairy cows, and farmed. They later purchased an adjoining farm from the Jenks family.
Being the oldest, many times it became her responsibility in her youth to look after her siblings, do housework and cooking. She was a very good cook even for large groups. No one ever came to Thelma’s home and went away hungry. When snow or ice was available, homemade ice cream was one of many specialties and went well with her great homemade pies. Cooking while visiting with family and friends was one of her favorite pastimes right to the end of her full and bountiful life. Over the years Thelma and her husband made numerous quilts and other crafts, which they gave to family and friends or donated to the LDS Church. Together, they enjoyed camping, fishing, hiking, canning, gardening and genealogy. Thelma was very active in 4-H and served as a judge in County and State Fairs for many years. They were charter members of the Burley Genealogical Society and members of the Idaho State Historical Society. She helped establish the LDS Regional Family History Center in Burley, and served in it for over 40 years. She was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
She and Mel traveled through much of the United States and eight countries in Europe sight-seeing and visiting their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was guardian of Cleo, her sister, and her four children for over 35 years. Dedicated to and being with her family was her greatest joy and treasure.
Survivors include her four children, Frances Meldean Son and Vearl Henry (Saundra) Taylor both of Heyburn, Thelma Juanita (Robert) Brady of McGaheysville, Virginia, and Ferris Willard (Karen) Taylor of Draper, Utah; 18 grandchildren; 55 great-grandchildren with one more on the way; and 16 great-great-grandchildren with four more on the way.
She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her three sisters, Ethel Taylor Ward, Susan (Brownie) Taylor and Cleo Pearl Son; her only brother, Homer Henry Barker; and her son-in-law, Forrest Othniell Son.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 2, 2006, at the Heyburn LDS First and Second Ward Chapel, 530 Villa Drive, Heyburn, with Bishop Berkeley Orton officiating. Interment will follow at 3 p.m. at the Grand View Cemetery in Elba.
Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Tuesday at Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 East 16th Street in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Wednesday at the church.
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