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Obituary (TX): Mrs. Mary Jane (Raynor A. Taylor '60)

Posted on 05/15/2018

Mary Jane Stevens Taylor, formerly of Virginia Beach, fought cancer for a long time, but eventually lost her battle and passed away in Austin, Texas on April 25th at 79 years of age. Mary Jane was the daughter of the late John (Jack) Lawrence Stevens, Jr. and Nettie Skelly Stevens of Newport News, VA. and the widow of Rear Admiral Raynor A. K. Taylor, USN Retired. Mary Jane was born and raised in Newport News and was a 1956 graduate of Warwick High School and a 1960 graduate of Mary Washington College of the University of Virginia. While at Mary Washington, she met the love of her life, Midshipman Ray Taylor of New Bedford, Massachusetts. They were married immediately following their respective graduations in the Chapel at the United States Naval Academy. Always together as a family, they journeyed to duty stations across the country and around the world, flourishing and enjoying every challenge. At the end of her husband’s naval career, they settled in Virginia Beach where they made many new friends while being part of neighborhood and regional groups. Mary Jane was a strong supporter of the Lake Smith Terrace Garden Club and the Lake Smith Terrace, Haygood Point, Governor Square Civic League. Old Donation Episcopal Church became very important in their lives. The camaraderie of many USNA Class of 1960 and other Navy friends in the area was also a source of great joy. Mary Jane was predeceased by two brothers, James S. Stevens of Newport News and John L. Stevens III of Maggie Valley, North Carolina. She is survived by her brother Thomas B. Stevens and his wife Jean of Williamsburg; her sister-in-law Debbi F. Stevens of Newport News; two sons, Raynor Lawrence Taylor of Arlington, Virginia, and Andrew Kent Taylor, his loving wife Lili Pang and their two precious children Michael and Michelle of Austin, Texas. A memorial service was conducted on May 9th in the Chapel at the United States Naval Academy and Mary Jane was laid to rest next to her husband in the United State Naval Academy Cemetery.

Published in Daily Press on May 13, 2018