Mildred Louise Bennett Taylor passed away Sunday February 11, 2024 at Ascension Heart Bay Medical Center, in Panama City, FL surrounded by her family. She was born on August 27, 1930 in Jasper, Georgia.  She was the second of eight children born to Herbert Zachariah and Virgie Lou Wooten Bennett.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Virlyn Ralph Taylor, infant daughter, Patricia Taylor, two brothers: James and Claude Bennett and a sister, Genevia Atkins.

Survivors include:  Children: Pamela Harrison (Edward), Steve Taylor (Michelle), and Danny Taylor (Connie), of DeFuniak Springs, FL. Siblings: Bonnie Millians, Dorthy Matthews, Louis Bennett and Jerry Bennett all in GA. Six grandchildren: Tina Martin, Sheila Carter (Timmy), Mariah Taylor, all of DeFuniak Springs, and Logan Taylor (Mallory), Charlotte, NC. Five great-grandchildren: Brittany Wilkinson (Nicholas), Hailey Carter, Lauren  Carter, of DeFuniak Springs, Brooks Taylor of Charlotte, NC, and first great-great-grandson, baby boy Wilkinson due June 2024, of DeFuniak Springs, and two step-grandchildren, Erika Rice and Taylor Martin, of DeFuniak Springs.

As with most families born during this period in our history, she worked in the kitchen preparing meals for the rest of the family. During her senior year in high school, she was given an opportunity to substitute teach a third-grade class. Later, Georgia Marble Company hired her as a stenographer and she designed her first monument for the office. On April 19, 1950, at the age of 19, she married Virlyn Ralph Taylor. Mildred enjoyed sewing and designing costumes for her children.

In 1959, the family moved to DeFuniak Springs where Virlyn took a job with Henko's Poultry Plant. Mildred stayed at home for a few years raising the children.  She found a homemaker's club to join. She then got a job selling Stanley Products, managing Mason and Mason clothing and carpet store. Later she worked at Rhodes Jewelers as a sales clerk selling jewelry and fine gifts. While working at Rhodes Jewelers as a sales clerk, Mildred sold Eddie the engagement ring for her daughter, Pam.

In 1973, they purchased the poultry farm. In 1977, they moved next to the farm. Mildred joined Walton County Farm Bureau and in 1979 became a member of the Board of Directors. In 1981, she became a very active member of the Florida Farm Bureau Women's Committee.  As a member of both Farm Bureau board and Women's Committee, she traveled to 10 counties and even out of state while representing Walton County. She was an active member of Farm Bureau for 51 years.

When she was a member of Homemakers Club (1959) and Farm Bureau, she became very active in preparing the displays for the fair booths.  For many years, she enjoyed organizing and working in the food booth at the Walton County Fair. Mildred was presented her Fifty Year Certificate and pin as a member of the Homemakers in 2009.  She was an active member for 65 years of the Home and Community Educators.

There are a few things that you could depend on at Taylor's house. Food was never in short supply. A variety of southern food was always around, including grown vegetables out of their garden. She enjoyed baking and decorating cakes and even tried her hand at making her first wedding cake for her sister. She continued to bake and decorate cakes for many different occasions as a side business. From that day forward, she also made specialty cakes for all of her children and grandchildren.

Mildred loved to spend time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She always stayed busy doing things to help the family, making cakes, cobblers, pies, canning vegetables, making pickles, jelly and more. She also enjoyed cooking, reading, painting and doing jigsaw puzzles. Mildred was loved by family and friends and she will be greatly missed.

Receiving of Friends will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM, Saturday, March 9, 2024 at Clary-Glenn Funeral Home Chapel; 230 Park Avenue, DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32435.

Graveside services will be held from 1:00-3:00 PM, Saturday, April 6, 2024 at Cross Roads Baptist Church Cemetery, 4778 Old Burnt Mountain Road Jasper, Georgia, 30143.

In lieu of flowers, cards may be given to the family and donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 99 Eglin Pkwy NE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 or online at www.cancer.org.