Delphia "Virginia" Taylor

Delphia Virginia (Riley) Taylor, daughter of the late Bill and Ethel (Hicks) Riley, was born March 18, 1943, in Ava, Missouri, and departed this life January 6, 2026, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of 82 years, 9 months, and 19 days.

Virginia grew up in Ava, Missouri, and was the only one of her 12 siblings to graduate high school. On June 17, 1961, Virginia was united in marriage to Carroll Taylor and to this union two sons were born. In addition to being a loving mother and wife, Virginia worked for GE in Springfield for 27 years from which she retired as the first female supervisor.

There was nothing she couldn’t accomplish once she set her mind to it. From the kitchen to the garden, she moved through life with purpose and love. She spent her best days on the farm with her son Byron, watching the birds and enjoying the land. But her greatest achievement and greatest joy was her family; she lived for her grandchildren, filling their lives with games of Yahtzee and love. She was a faithful believer in God and a member of Wolf Creek Baptist Church which she faithfully attended until her health limited her ability to attend.

Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Carroll Taylor, her parents, Bill and Ethel Riley, her son, Byron Taylor, one grandson, Jaxsen Ray Taylor, and 11 siblings.

She is survived by her son, Mark Taylor and wife, Kelly, one sister, Beverly Meredith, three grandchildren, Summer Huskey and husband, Christopher, Jessica Anne Taylor, and Dustin Taylor and wife, Jasmine, 8 great-grandchildren, Dawson Blake Street, Phoenix Ray Huskey, Charity LaRae Maxwell and husband, Kyler, Brianna Marie Bowers, Elayna Rose Taylor, Zane Leamon Taylor, Arianna Brooke Taylor and Dax Logan Taylor, one great-great-grandchild, Chevelle Maye Maxwell, and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Virginia was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother sister, aunt, and a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and will always cherish the many memories spent together.

A special thanks to Aunt Betty for all her love, support, and help during this difficult time.

Memorial contributions can be made in Memory of Delphia "Virginia" Taylor by clicking the link below or by dropping them off in person at Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home in Mansfield, or by mail to 315 N. Main St., Mountain Grove, Missouri 65711.