Theda Elois (Birchfield) Taylor

Theda Elois Taylor was born September 14, 1925, in Farris, Oklahoma, to J.B. and Jewel Birchfield, the first of their six children. She passed from this life May 10, 2019, at her home in Rattan, Oklahoma, at the age of 93.

Theda and Douglas Taylor were teenage sweethearts who married June 7, 1941, in Antlers, Oklahoma. They were blessed with 52 years together and Theda was a wonderful role model for their four daughters. She was known as Gran to her 9 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren. Theda was the Postmaster at Rattan for 27 years. For years the area gardeners would bring peppers to the post office, trying to find one that was too hot for her! She was a very active person with many hobbies. Her children and grandchildren love the paintings, pottery, quilts, and many crafts that she loved to make and share. She was an excellent seamstress and made most of the clothes for her family when they were young. She was a very active member of the Rattan Baptist Church, where throughout the years she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, worked with Bible School and attended many church camps. She also worked in the church kitchen and assisted the treasurer. She also took being a deacon's wife very seriously.

Theda loved to fish. In her later years, trout were her favorite. She was a very good cook and enjoyed having the whole family for meals. She canned trout and made cobblers and jelly with fruit she and her grandkids picked. Having lived through the depression, she didn't believe in wasting anything and would always be happy to cook, can, or freeze any fish, berries or game that her grandkids brought her. She was always ready for a vacation to Pagosa Springs, CO or Hot Springs, AR, where she enjoyed fishing and taking hot mineral baths. She loved flowers and was a member of the Antlers Garden Club. Her iris and hibiscus gardens brought her joy each spring.

Her favorite time was with family. Her grandchildren thought there was no better place to be than at Gran's and Papa Doug's house on Rattan Trail.

Theda was preceded in death by her husband: Douglas Taylor; parents: J.B. and Jewel Birchfield; brother: Kenneth Birchfield; and sisters: Maynell House, Betty Crownover and Ann Henslee.

She is survived by her daughters: Dianna Persinger and husband Tom of Rattan, OK, Debbie Williams and husband David of Broken Bow, OK, Sherrie Grimmett and husband Tink of Sobol, OK, and Susan Wall and husband Donald of Rattan, OK; brother: Johnny Birchfield and wife Bobbie of Rattan, OK; brother-in-law: Clyde Henslee of Rattan, OK; grandchildren: Rhonda Mack and husband Walter, Randy Persinger and wife Stacy, Brandon Wall and wife Shelly, Cindy Schaefer and husband Scott, Tiffany McGowen and husband Kendell, Todd Grimmett and wife Amy, Kevin Wall and wife Darcy, Cam Williams and wife Kristin, and Brett Williams and wife Becca; 13 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; as well as numerous other relatives and friends.

Funeral Services will be held at 2 PM, Monday May 13, 2019 at Rattan First Baptist Church with interment following at the Rattan Cemetery.

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