ODIESSTEAN TAYLOR

Odiesstean Purnell Taylor, passed away on September 25, 2026, in Mesquite, Texas. She was born on June 20, 1944, in Winona, MS and her life was marked by devotion to family, steady strength, and a spirit that left a lasting impression on those who knew and loved her.

She attended Washington High School in East Chicago, Indiana, and went on to work as a seamstress, bringing care and skill to her craft. She was a woman of deep character—spiritual, honest, yet also funny, loving, caring, supportive, generous, and strong-willed. Her faith was lived out in service, including her time on the usher board, where she offered herself with quiet dedication.

Odiesstean found joy in the simple and lasting pleasures of life. She loved bingo and playing cards, and she treasured time spent with family and friends. She enjoyed working jigsaw puzzles, gardening, cooking, and fishing. She loved the outdoors, plants, and nature, and those joys reflected the warmth and steadiness she carried through life. Among the things she held most dearly were being a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and a survivor—roles and identities she embraced with pride and enduring love.

Her memory will be cherished by her children: William Carter III and his wife, Eunice; Laura McCall and her husband, Wayne; and Robert Taylor and his wife, Evelyn. She also leaves behind a beloved circle of grandchildren, whose lives were part of her great joy: Keiana Carter, Lakecia Foster, Keenan Carter, Brittney Wolford, Kortevia Taylor, Christian Carter, and Brandy Fuller, special friend, Corriette Burks, a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other family and friends.   In them, she nurtured so faithfully, her love continues forward.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Lee Taylor; her father, Odies; her mother, Annie Purnell; and her brothers, Paul Purnell and Master Purnell. Their memories remained part of her story, and now she is reunited with those who went before her.

Odiesstean Taylor will be remembered for her strength, her honesty, her humor, and the generous love she gave to her family. Her life was rooted in faith, shaped by resilience, and brightened by the many everyday joys she embraced. She leaves behind a legacy of care, devotion, and enduring family love that will be held close in the hearts of those who knew her.