Joella "Jo" Stephens Taylor, 86, a resident of Irving, Texas for sixty-one years, died Sunday, July 3, 2022. Born October 4, 1935 in Bonham, Texas, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Mathew Stephens and Ella May Upchurch Stephens. Jo graduated from Bonham High School in 1954, and married Ernest Edward Taylor May 28, 1955 in Bonham. She worked for several years as the receptionist for Dr. Perry Gross in Dallas, and she spent 26 years with Frito-Lay. Jo was a member of First United Methodist Church. In High School, Jo played the snare drum and was Band Sweetheart her senior year. Jo and Ed met on a blind date and were married for 40 years until Ed passed away. They enjoyed square dancing, spending time with friends and family, and going camping in their RV. Jo had two children, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Her first grandchild, Bryan, called Jo "Deedo," and the name stuck. She has been Deedo to her family for the last 39 years. Jo loved to travel and visited 26 countries, some of them more than once. During the year they turned thirteen, Jo took each grandchild on an "adventure with Deedo" to a country of their choice. These included trips to Italy, Greece, Great Britain, France, Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Preceded in death by her husband, Ed Taylor, October 10, 1995, Jo is survived by a daughter Gail Taylor Cary and husband Lance of Coppell; a son Jim Taylor and wife Nancy of Gordon, Texas; six grandchildren Katy Cary Richards and husband Paul, Wynn Cary and wife Madeline, Bryan Taylor and wife Jessica, Matthew Taylor and wife Cassandra, Paul Taylor, and Steven Taylor; and three great grandchildren, Cooper Richards, Madisyn Richards, and John Taylor. The family will receive friends 6:00 8:00 p.m. Friday, July 15, 2022 at Colonial Funeral Home, 606 West Airport Freeway. The funeral will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 16, 2022 at First United Methodist Church, 211 West Third Street, Irving, Texas 75060. Rev. Doug Fox and Rev. Mike Walker will officiate. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Memorial Gardens, 1413 East Irving Blvd. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church. SERVICES

Visitation

Friday, July 15, 2022 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Colonial Funeral Home 606 West Airport Freeway Irving, TX 75062

Funeral Service

Saturday, July 16, 2022 10:00 AM

First United Methodist Church 211 West Third Street Irving, Texas 75060

Committal Service

Saturday, July 16, 2022 11:15 AM

Oak Grove Memorial Gardens 1413 E. Irving Blvd. Irving, TX 75060