Marietta Virginia Taylor

Jenny was born on May 4, 1925 in Beckley, West Virginia, to De'Fiance and John Lavender McLaurin. She was the third of 3 daughters and was sister to Margaret Elizabeth (Boba) and Helen Louise. During her childhood Jenny's family moved a great deal, and by the time she graduated from High School they lived in Waco, Texas where her father worked as a livestock auctioneer. Jenny played the clarinet and served as drum major in the Waco High School band. Following her graduation they moved to Shreveport, LA, which is where she met her beloved husband, Maxwell Otho. They were married on April 26, 1950, and had 3 children, Maxwell Otho Jr., born in March of 1951, who, sadly, died at the age of 3 months, and then Helen Marie, born on August 18, 1952, and Andrew Edward, born on January 26, 1961. Max had a long and very successful career with Baker Oil Tools which took the family from Shreveport to Magnolia, Arkansas, back to Shreveport, to Natchez, Mississippi, and finally to Houston, which is where he retired. Jenny devoted herself to raising her children, and always served as class room mother and even Brownie Scout leader for Helen's troop. While in Natchez she was very active in Little Theater. She appeared in various productions and always received the highest of accolades for her performances, and was even written up in the New Orleans Times Picayune for her part in the play "Picnic". Acting on the stage was truly her calling. She enjoyed entertaining her friends and family and was known for always setting a beautiful table. Never did a radish leave her kitchen that wasn't carved to look like a rose! The family enjoyed camping together and especially loved going to Arkansas where they camped for many years on Lake Ouachita. Even there she managed to set up an elaborate camp kitchen and prepared home-cooked meals for everyone. She enjoyed traveling with her husband and enjoyed visiting Helen's family at the interesting places they lived while her husband Mark served in the Coast Guard, including New York City - where she was thrilled to attend the St. Patrick's Day Parade, and Kodiak, Alaska where she went salmon fishing. Jenny and Max were both devoted to their grandchildren, and never missed a chance to attend a school performance or soccer or baseball game. She spent lots of time reading stories in their classrooms and the little children loved to hear her read with such expression. Jenny was preceded in death by Max, and is survived by her loving family, including her children Andy and Helen, along with their spouses, Jennifer and Mark; her grandchildren, Joshua Ramey and his wife Rebecca, Meredith Ramey; Mark Ramey Jr. and his wife Maggie; Jacob, Madeline and Orby Taylor; along with her great-grandchildren, Tanner and Jackson Ramey, Joanie and Faye Ramey, and Kayla and Lauren Taylor. Visitation will be at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall St., Shreveport, Louisiana, on Monday April 13, from noon - 2:00 p.m. The funeral will immediately follow in the chapel at Rose-Neath. Interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery.