Carol Taylor

Carol Joyce Taylor

1933-2026

Carol Joyce Taylor joined her heavenly father on February 9th 2026 in Meridian, Idaho. A graveside funeral service will be held at the Island City Cemetery 12:00PM February 27th. Celebration of life to follow; family invites all to attend to share fond memories of Joyce.

Most folks knew her as Joyce after her 1st grade teacher said there were too many Carols in her class, so she started going by her middle name. Joyce was born December 10th, 1933 in Baker City to Walter and Ida (Marsland) Peeples. She grew up in Baker with her little sister Janet and cousins Robert and Don Marsland. Carol graduated from Baker High School in 1953 and attended Pacific Lutheran University and Eastern Oregon College, graduating with an Education degree. She married Merton Dale Taylor in 1956 and taught school in Los Angeles for 2 years before returning to La Grande. She taught 2nd grade at the newly built Central Elementary until her own children came along in 1966. She had fond memories of her Central students and enjoyed seeing them around town. 

Joyce loved her family and raising her and Mert’s 3 children (Lynne, David and Nicole) on the farm on the Cove highway. Joyce enjoyed spending time with the kids riding horses, swimming in Cove, attending 4H events, and teaching the kids how to cook, sew and all sorts of other hobbies. She was always ready to go on ski trips to Anthony Lakes and had endless hot chocolate ready for the gaggle of kids and cousins in the Motorhome at the bottom of the hill. She also enjoyed time spent with the Grandkids, often having a houseful and seeing them grow up. Mert and Joyce enjoyed collecting antiques, dining out, traveling around the US, Canada and Mexico, and savoring a good chocolate milkshake from Nell’s. They also enjoyed the time they spent at dog shows, showing off their Borzois and the Afghans that they bred. Merton passed in 2015 after 59 years of marriage.

Joyce was an avid antique collector and opened her first shop in Island City in 1960, was a partner in Village Antiques and later opened her own shop in Baker in 1982. She had a keen eye for collectibles, and much enjoyed a good yard sale with old stuff.

Joyce is survived by two of her children, Lynne Smith (Doug) of Sherwood, and Dave (Laurann) of Meridian, Idaho and 7 grandchildren, and 2 great grand- children. She was preceded in death by her daughter Nicole (Jonathan), husband Merton, sister Janet (John) and parents.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Breastfriends.org in support of ongoing breast cancer research and awareness.  Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com