Mrs. Barbara H. Taylor

Barbara Jean Taylor, age 75 of Altamonte Springs, Florida, passed away peacefully Wednesday, May 23, 2018. Barbara was born August 16, 1942 in Greeneville, North Carolina. She is predeceased by her loving husband, John Taylor, her parents, Helen & Robert Pinner & her brother, James Melson Pinner.

Having a large family was her biggest dream from the time she was very young. She was blessed with 2 children of her own and her greatest joy was being their mother and supporting them in any venture they wanted to tackle. She worked tirelessly as a troop leader, fund raiser, driver or whatever else was needed as she helped them pursue scouts, music, theatre, sports and many other interests.

Barbara moved to Altamonte Springs in the late 1970s where she established a home for her family and worked diligently in many jobs to support her family while simultaneously earning a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Rollins College where she graduated with honors. She actively worked as a Mental Health counselor up to the last month of her life.

In 1979 she met the love of her life, John Taylor. Barbara and John were blessed to spend 28 years together before the Lord called John home. They made a wonderful team as they both tried their best to live their lives by faith. They believed in putting others above themselves and knew that God would always provide.

Barbara is remembered as a kind, generous and loving woman who dearly loved the Lord. She embodied his teachings and she raised her immediate family and her many "adopted" children and grandchildren accordingly. It was her greatest pleasure to assist others in any way possible opening her home and heart to anyone in need.

Barbara traveled extensively through her life seeing Germany and other parts of Europe, many parts of North America, including Canada, Alaska, Nevada, Puerto Rico, and most of the east coast. She enjoyed the travel experience and seeing the many cultures and people. Barbara was a strong Christian woman sharing His word and His teachings with those she encountered and embracing all that she met.

Barbara also had a tender heart for many furry, four legged friends. Past and present of these friends included puppies Lizzy & Tippie, and grandpups Jethro and Tippie; cats, Charlie, Fluffy, Max, Maddie and Smokey, and many others. All brought comfort to her, and she to them.

Barbara is survived by her daughter Lisa Hill and Jerry Koons, son Greg Hill and Debbie Hill, and 3 granddaughters and their husbands who she treasured, Jessica and Byron Guina, Joanna and Caleb Stewart, and Jennifer and David Brooker.

There are many more she "adopted" along the way as Barbara was always striving to create that large family that she’d dreamed of since she was a child. Dave Ousley, Ivan Rodriguez, Freda Johnson, GeorgiaAna Larson, Andrea Sheldon, Carl Austin, Ana Albarran, Rick and Lisa Johnson, plus all the ladies of the "birthday group" are just a few of the special people that Barbara considered to be sons, daughters, sisters, brothers and grandchildren. The list is so long everyone cannot be named. Each and every one was so important to her. They are family.

Barbara was greatly loved, and her immense capacity for unconditional love will be greatly missed.

A celebration of life will be held for Barbara on Saturday, June 9th, 2018 at Loomis Funeral Home in Apopka, Florida, at 1:00pm.

The family asks that memorial contributions be made to Florida Veterans Foundation (www.floridaveteransfoundation.org), Give Kids the World, or Florida Little Dog Rescue in lieu of flowers.