Anne Graham Taylor

Elsbeth Anne Graham Taylor, 91, died at her home in Norman, Oklahoma on January 6, 2026. Anne was born on September 21,1934, in Fairfield, Alabama to Walter K. and Marjorie E. Graham. She moved often in her childhood, living in Fairfield, New Orleans, Cleveland, and Dallas. After graduating from Southern Methodist University, she moved to Corpus Christi where she met a dashing naval aviator, Davis Taylor, who won her heart. After Anne and Davis married, he completed his naval service and entered Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and over the next five years their four daughters were born. Susan, Kathy, Barbara, and Margaret spent most of their childhoods in El Paso and Houston, marveling at the indefatigable energy of their mother who simultaneously and with great success filled the roles of mom, teacher, pastor’s wife, and community volunteer—and somehow made it all look easy!

Anne was an early childhood and elementary educator, ultimately earning her master’s degree from the University of Houston. She was a kindergarten teacher in El Paso, Houston, and Austin. Throughout her life, Anne volunteered in numerous capacities to serve her community. She organized church members in Houston to welcome refugees and founded the Meals on Wheels program in Round Rock, Texas. She was a loyal and welcoming friend and neighbor, extending kindness and hospitality whenever she learned of someone who might need her support. She was genuinely interested in learning the life story of everyone she met. Her family would joke that Anne might talk for an hour to someone who had dialed the wrong number, and in the span of thirty minutes would learn the joys and sorrows of the dishwasher repairman.

Those who knew Anne know that she was a strong woman of keen intelligence, wit, and candor. She was exceptionally independent, raising her daughters to believe they could pursue any path they chose. As a lifelong reader, she listened to books on tape for hours after she lost her vision. She was a serious and critical thinker, especially in the realms of education, politics, and religion. Anne cared deeply about social justice and imparted those values to her family.

In retirement, Anne’s career teaching young children equipped her perfectly for the central role she played as an active and fun-loving grandmother who delighted in being involved in each of her granddaughters’ lives. In 2001, she and Davis moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina to live near Margaret’s family. Gan and Pop’s house was a hub of creative and joyful activities and loving support for their granddaughters. She was present at all the girls’ events and was a regular elementary school volunteer. Anne and Davis enjoyed traveling with the Road Scholar program, and after Davis died in 2009, Anne took her younger granddaughters on several intergenerational trips across the country, creating memories that will last a lifetime. In Winston-Salem, Anne and Davis were active in the local Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. Anne lived at Salemtowne until 2014, when she moved to Norman, Oklahoma, where Barbara and her family reside. In Norman, Anne attended St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church. She made many new friends at her residences at Rivermont and later at Sooner Station, and was also warmly welcomed by Barbara and Mike’s close circle of friends. She greatly enjoyed her great-grandchildren, attending their birthday parties, recitals, and other activities and spending time with family at Barbara’s house.

Anne was preceded in death by Davis and by her daughter, Susan Elsbeth. She is survived by three daughters—Kathy Taylor (Mark Boulding) of Princeton, NJ; Barbara O’Brien (Mike Carter) of Norman, OK; and Margaret Taylor (Keith McCrary) of Winston-Salem, NC—and by nine granddaughters: Katie Noe (Ryan), Lauren Champeau (Nate), Emily Koski (Adam), Ellie Boulding, Rebecca Parker, Grace Boulding, Livia Boulding, Cameron Bowersox (Will), and Anna Frank (Logan). She is also survived by her brother, Walter E. Graham of Newton, MA and his family, and by seven great-grandchildren: Graham Saunders, Charlotte and Davis Noe, Elspeth Champeau, Carter Frank, Mary Blake Bowersox, and Davis Koski. We are forever grateful for Anne’s unconditional love, and the gift of her life will remain in every life she touched and all the lives we touch, for we carry her with us.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to all who cared for Anne during the final months and days of her life. Dr. Tom Merrill demonstrated extraordinary commitment over his 11 years as her physician, and his nurse, Pam Levy, was a steady coordinating force and tireless advocate, ensuring that no detail was overlooked. Together, they exemplified a rare caregiving team, providing deeply individualized care with genuine compassion.

We also thank the nurses at Amedisys Home Health—especially Karla and Lacie—who cared for Anne as they would a family member; her caregiver, Sherry, who offered loving assistance and companionship over the last six months; the nurses at Good Shepherd Hospice; and her caregivers Marissa, and especially Esmin, who gently guided her through her final hours.

A memorial service will be held at St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church in Norman on January 31, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider charitable contributions to the Center for Children and Families in Norman, The Arts Based School of Winston-Salem, or Housing Initiatives of Princeton.