Sylvia M. Taylor

Sylvia Taylor passed away peacefully Sunday, February 12, surrounded by her children. Born Sylvia McCampbell Borchers to Wilbert and Maybelle Borchers on March 18, 1947, she is preceded in death by her husband, Stephen Taylor, and her brother, John Borchers. She is survived by her children, Mary Beth Taylor and son-in-law Steve “Jack” Cummins, Ethan Taylor and daughter-in-law Cynthia (Davis) Taylor, grandson Emmet; brother Jeff Borchers, sister-in-law Loretta; niece Jodi (Borchers) Bolton, nephew-in-law David Bolton, grand-nephew Zach Bolton, grand-niece Katie Bolton; nephew Jonathan Borchers, niece-in-law Kim Borchers, grand-nephews Brayden Hartel, Austin Hartel, and Jack Harvey Borchers; and numerous cousins who she held dear.  Sylvia was born and raised in Warrensburg, Missouri, graduating from College High in 1965. She then pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in German with a minor in Speech at Central Missouri State College, stopping just one semester short of completion to marry her high school sweetheart, Steve Taylor, who had graduated and joined the army. Steve’s service to the army took them to Huntsville, Alabama, El Paso, Texas, and Okinawa, Japan. After Steve completed his service, the couple settled in Warrensburg where Steve began his banking career. They moved to Stover, MO in 1974, where they raised their children and enjoyed many friendships, notably Gene and Mary Cox, their children and grandchildren, all of whom became family to Sylvia, Steve, Mary Beth, and Ethan.  Sylvia was gifted at arts and crafts. With her talent at sewing, she won the Betty Crocker of the Year award while in high school. Known for her needlework throughout her life, she made every day and decorative items of intricacy and beauty: children’s clothing, throws, scarves, ornaments, doilies, church banners, quilts, and wedding dresses. Some of her handiwork won awards at the local and state level. After she lost her hair from cancer treatment, she designed fanciful hats that distinguished her in a crowd. She was a long-time member of “Unique Stiches and More,” the Stover quilt guild, although she confided to her son and daughter-in-law that she really was not a quilter – she just enjoyed the community.  Sylvia loved music. She attended nearly all of Mary Beth’s and Ethan’s music and theater competitions and performances, even if it meant traveling several hours to arrive home in the wee hours of a workday morning.  She enjoyed singing as part of the choir at Stover United Methodist Church, where she was a member for as long as she lived in Stover.  Sylvia participated actively at Stover UMC. She led Vacation Bible School activities on many occasions, taught Sunday school for tweens and teens, and collaborated with members of other churches to design and lead a personal development program for teenage girls. She prepared soups and desserts for various events, and donated the works of her needle to art sales to benefit the church’s missions. Sylvia played an essential role in creating the church’s outreach programs of the food pantry, which she helped stock, and the monthly luncheon, which she helped serve. With the luncheon, she succeeded in creating more than a mere meal, but an act of community, where people nourish not only their bodies but also their souls.  The joy Sylvia took in relationships energized her work with the Morgan County School District, R-I and R-II schools in Stover and Versailles. After working decades as a paraprofessional, she taught herself sign language and worked as an interpreter for hearing impaired students. She enjoyed helping the students, building relationships, and learning new subjects through her students.  Those who knew Sylvia found a peaceful, joyful presence, an attentive listener, and engaged conversationalist. Friends and family benefited from her loving encouragement. Sylvia’s Christian faith was an integral part of her life; she lived it by taking the time to talk to all those she met, to learn their names, their stories, and offer a hug.  A Celebration of Sylvia’s life will be held at Stover United Methodist Church on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at 10:00a.m. The Rev. Diane Cutler will officiate.  The family will receive friends from 6:30-8:00p.m Friday, February, 17, 2017 at Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Home in Stover. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers can be given to the Stover UMC Building Fund or the Stover Community Center Elevator Help Fund.

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Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers can be given to the Stover UMC Building Fund or the Stover Community Center Elevator Help Fund.

Friday, February 17, 2017 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Home-Stover 204 W. 3rd St. Stover, Missouri 65078

Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers can be given to the Stover UMC Building Fund or the Stover Community Center Elevator Help Fund.

Saturday, February 18, 2017 10:00 AM

Stover United Methodist Church 206 North Hickory Street Stover, MO 65078